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USA opponents and venues for 2012 Olympic qualifying set
Canada, Cuba and El Salvador also populate the U.S.'s group for Olympic qualifying. Matches will take place Stateside beginning in March.
Dec 6, 2011 9:15:00 PM
By Zac Lee Rigg
Getty Images
A U-23 United States team will compete in Group B of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in March and April. Also drawn into Group B are Canada, Cuba and El Salvador.
All of the U.S.'s group stage matches will take place at LP Field in Nashville between March 22-26.
"Obviously it's very exciting to finally know our matchups in group play, which allows us to concentrate our preparation even further," said U.S. U-23 head coach Caleb Porter. "Although our primary focus right now is on our own process, this will give us even greater insight into how we will plan for qualifying, especially as the games get closer. We have been gathering information on all of our potential opponents, and now we can isolate our scouting even further. The path to reaching our goal of qualifying for the Olympics is a lot clearer."
Group A, which features Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Trinidad & Tobago, will contest matches at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
The two group leaders from each group advance to the semifinals, set to take place at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan on March 31. The two teams that advance to the April 2 final, also held at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The U.S. will hold a training camp in Sarasota, Fla. from Dec. 15-23. Porter is expected to announce a roster for the training camp shortly.
"I'm excited. The Olympics are one of the coolest events you can be a part of, and the chance to qualify is something we are taking very seriously," said FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea, who is expected to make the roster. "I'm looking forward to playing for Caleb Porter and trying to help our team qualify for London. There's a lot of talent available to the U.S. team, so there will be a lot of competition for spots on the roster."
All of the U.S.'s group stage matches will take place at LP Field in Nashville between March 22-26.
"Obviously it's very exciting to finally know our matchups in group play, which allows us to concentrate our preparation even further," said U.S. U-23 head coach Caleb Porter. "Although our primary focus right now is on our own process, this will give us even greater insight into how we will plan for qualifying, especially as the games get closer. We have been gathering information on all of our potential opponents, and now we can isolate our scouting even further. The path to reaching our goal of qualifying for the Olympics is a lot clearer."
Group A, which features Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Trinidad & Tobago, will contest matches at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
The two group leaders from each group advance to the semifinals, set to take place at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan on March 31. The two teams that advance to the April 2 final, also held at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The U.S. will hold a training camp in Sarasota, Fla. from Dec. 15-23. Porter is expected to announce a roster for the training camp shortly.
"I'm excited. The Olympics are one of the coolest events you can be a part of, and the chance to qualify is something we are taking very seriously," said FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea, who is expected to make the roster. "I'm looking forward to playing for Caleb Porter and trying to help our team qualify for London. There's a lot of talent available to the U.S. team, so there will be a lot of competition for spots on the roster."
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