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U.S. Olympic squad announce pre-Paris Games warmup match vs Asia champions Japan

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  • U.S. announce pre-Olympics friendly vs Japan
  • USMNT U23s to play in Group A
  • Look at the U.S. squad
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    U.S. Soccer announced that the U23 USMNt will take on the Asia Champions, Japan, on June 11 in Kansas City, Kansas. It will be their final preparation match for the Paris Games this summer, which begin July 24.

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    WHAT MARKO MITROVIC SAID

    “We’ve had a number of productive training camps in preparation for the Olympic Games and we’re excited to play in front of American fans in our last game before we travel to France,” said head coach Marko Mitrović. “It’s important for us to continue building toward the Olympics and we know that Japan will provide a strong test. Kansas City is known for its passionate soccer fans and it will be a great host for our final match in the United States.”

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The U.S. will be paired with Guinea, France and New Zealand in Group A this summer in Paris. Two of the three, Les Bleus and the AFC-CAF champions, they earned results against in March during a two-match camp.

    The U.S. drew France 2-2 and defeated Guinea 3-0 following two outstanding performances from Mitrovic's men. They'll look to continue their stellar international form into June's friendly, and then into July in Paris.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR THE U23 USMNT?

    The Olympic squad's players in Europe will finish up their regular season over the next few weeks before turning their heads towards international competition this summer. The domestic players in MLS, however, will continue playing until called upon.

    They'll all report for action this June before turning up for competition in July, when they take on Les Bleus in the opening match on July 24.