USA set to play in Tampa

Posted by JJ Comeau.

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann is preparing his squad for upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

The United States men's national soccer team opens its World Cup 2014 qualifying play when it squares off against Antigua and Barbuda in Tampa, Florida starting on June 8th. Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann believes  a strong start will be critical for the U.S. team in order to qualify and Tampa's Raymond James Stadium is "the ideal venue" to kick things off.

In the teams last World Cup qualifier in Florida, the U.S. beat Mexico 2-1 in Fort Lauderdale back in November 1980. Their overall record in Tamp is 3-2-1, which include a 3-1 win in 2007 over Ecuador which catered to 31,547 fans. Klinsmann, who is 3-4-1 since the beginning of his tenure in July, needs a strong showing in the qualifying round to get the team into a promising groove once 2014 comes around.

At a more recent glance, the U.S. will play against Scotland on May 26th in Jacksonville for a friendly. The last meetings between the two settled in a 0-0 tied back in May 1998 and a 1-1 tie in November 2005 in Glasgow. A win in May could raise the U.S. another spot in the world rankings as they currently sit at No. 31 after defeating Panama and Venezuela in their last two friendlies.