(AP) — The U.S. soccer team will start its 2012 schedule with an exhibition against Venezuela at Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 21, then play at Panama four days later.
The games announced Thursday are not on FIFA fixture dates, meaning the U.S. will field players from Major League Soccer and Scandinavian clubs on winter break. The team will prepare with a training camp, most likely in Arizona and Carson, Calif.
Getting ready for the start of World Cup qualifying on June 8, the Americans also are discussing playing a Feb. 29 exhibition at Italy, which would be on a FIFA date.
The U.S., 2-4-1 since Klinsmann replaced Bob Bradley, is in a semifinal group with Antigua and Barbuda, Guatemala and Jamaica. The top two nations advance to the regional finals in 2013.
