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In soccer, international “friendlies” are the word for what other sports call “exhibition games.” Whatever it may be considered, the U.S national men’s soccer team has a lot of information to gather in the friendly game against Turkey at Rentschler Field on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
But are international soccer matches ever friendly? The CONCACAF Gold Cup starts later this summer and the FIFA World Cup will be in North America next year. While U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino is sorting through players to find his roster, Turkey presents a formidable opponent for this tune-up.
“We have to look internally, push each other and realize that when you’re the USMNT, everybody wants to give it their best shot,” said goalkeeper Matt Turner, who played at Fairfield University. “They want to beat you, they want to kick you, they want to hurt you and for us, it’s about having that mentality that when we step out on onto pitch we’re it for that fight as well.”
From a modest beginning in CT, Patrick Agyemang is returning home a soccer sensation with USMNT
Rentschler Field has proven to be an ideal venue for international soccer. When the U.S. played Germany in the fall of 2023, there were more than 36,000 in the stadium. For a Saturday afternoon in June, this should be another nearly filled arena with lively tailgating. The presence of an East Hartford kid, Patrick Agyemang, a rising young goal-scorer for the U.S., figures to fuel local interest, with soccer aficionados coming from far and wide.
The Capital Region Development Authority says more than 30,000 tickets have been sold, and the box office shows a limited number of end zone seats available as of Friday.
“These soccer events keep getting better,” said Michael Freimuth, head of the CRDA, “and we have another in the works for this fall. With the World Cup coming to North America in ‘26, they’re only going to get better. The natural-grass field is sought by the teams and these games contribute to our ability to narrow operational expenses of the stadium and, in a few years, break even.”
Several familiar players will be missing from the U.S. squad, including Christian Pulisic, long considered America’s top player. Many are recovering from injuries or taking a break following the grueling season in Europe.
“This is the circumstance that we have and we need to adapt to the circumstance,” Pochettino said. “It’s important not to pay too much attention (to players not here) and only try to believe and provide the players a good environment to perform and fight for a place to be in the World Cup in one year.”
Pochettino has 16 of 26 on his roster from Major League Soccer in America, focusing on younger players like Agyemang, 24, who scored three goals in four games after his debut with the national team last January and has been an MLS star in Charlotte. Also Diego Luna, 21, who played for Salt Lake’s franchise and got a lot of attention in January for continuing to play after taking and elbow to the face, blood streaming from his nose as he assisted on a goal.
Dom Amore: With USMNT in transition, former CT college keeper returns to fight for job at Rentschler
“That experience for me was life-changing,” Luna said this week “It added an opportunity to come back into more camps and show the grit and hunger I have to play and represent my country. Mauricio really liked that, liked the fight I had and that shows other players what’s needed on this team.”
Agyemang could provide an explosive presence around the goal, and he has intrigued U.S. coaches and players. At 6 feet 4, he brings a size and athleticism to the center-striker position that could create matchup problems for defenders..
“I’ve grown up around this stadium my whole life, and to be there it’s going to be amazing,” Agyemang said Friday, before the team left its Chicago training headquarters to come to Hartford. “Being able to make it to this stage is a blessing, and I’m going to do all I can to take advantage of it. Obviously, the moment’s going to be great and to have my direct, immediate family and friends from (ECSU) and (East Hartford), high school, coaches coming to the game and it’s going to be a nice feeling to represent and play well in front of them.”
Here is what you need to know about the match:
What: International friendly match.
Where: Rentschler Field, East Hartford.
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
In person: Limited tickets still available at Rentschler Field box office, other outlets.
TV, Streaming: TNT network, Max, Peacock, TruTV (English broadcast). Telemundo, Universo (Spanish)
The USMNT is still smarting from a poor performance at the Nations League Finals, losing to Panama and Canada in March in Los Angeles. Pochettino questioned the team’s commitment and over his five camps has called in 59 players, many new, to evaluate and create competition for spots. So this game is as much an audition as a tune-up for the U.S. team, 16th in the FIFA world rankings..
Top players to watch: Agyemang, Luna. Turner is trying hold his spot as No.1 keeper; Paxton and Brenden Aaronson are trying to become the first brothers to play together for the U.S. team since 1957.
The USMNT plays Switzerland in Nashville on Tuesday then on to the Gold Cup starting June 15 in Miami..
Currently 27th in the FIFA world rankings, Turkey is on track to qualify for the World Cup after reaching the quarterfinals of UEFA Euro 2024. Coach Vincenzo Montella, who played for Italy in 2002 World Cup, has been on the job since September 2023 and has a record of 11-6-4, Turkey outscoring opponents 34-27. Players to know include captain Hakak Calhanoglu and young attackers Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz.
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But are international soccer matches ever friendly? The CONCACAF Gold Cup starts later this summer and the FIFA World Cup will be in North America next year. While U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino is sorting through players to find his roster, Turkey presents a formidable opponent for this tune-up.
“We have to look internally, push each other and realize that when you’re the USMNT, everybody wants to give it their best shot,” said goalkeeper Matt Turner, who played at Fairfield University. “They want to beat you, they want to kick you, they want to hurt you and for us, it’s about having that mentality that when we step out on onto pitch we’re it for that fight as well.”
From a modest beginning in CT, Patrick Agyemang is returning home a soccer sensation with USMNT
Rentschler Field has proven to be an ideal venue for international soccer. When the U.S. played Germany in the fall of 2023, there were more than 36,000 in the stadium. For a Saturday afternoon in June, this should be another nearly filled arena with lively tailgating. The presence of an East Hartford kid, Patrick Agyemang, a rising young goal-scorer for the U.S., figures to fuel local interest, with soccer aficionados coming from far and wide.
The Capital Region Development Authority says more than 30,000 tickets have been sold, and the box office shows a limited number of end zone seats available as of Friday.
“These soccer events keep getting better,” said Michael Freimuth, head of the CRDA, “and we have another in the works for this fall. With the World Cup coming to North America in ‘26, they’re only going to get better. The natural-grass field is sought by the teams and these games contribute to our ability to narrow operational expenses of the stadium and, in a few years, break even.”
Several familiar players will be missing from the U.S. squad, including Christian Pulisic, long considered America’s top player. Many are recovering from injuries or taking a break following the grueling season in Europe.
“This is the circumstance that we have and we need to adapt to the circumstance,” Pochettino said. “It’s important not to pay too much attention (to players not here) and only try to believe and provide the players a good environment to perform and fight for a place to be in the World Cup in one year.”
Pochettino has 16 of 26 on his roster from Major League Soccer in America, focusing on younger players like Agyemang, 24, who scored three goals in four games after his debut with the national team last January and has been an MLS star in Charlotte. Also Diego Luna, 21, who played for Salt Lake’s franchise and got a lot of attention in January for continuing to play after taking and elbow to the face, blood streaming from his nose as he assisted on a goal.
Dom Amore: With USMNT in transition, former CT college keeper returns to fight for job at Rentschler
“That experience for me was life-changing,” Luna said this week “It added an opportunity to come back into more camps and show the grit and hunger I have to play and represent my country. Mauricio really liked that, liked the fight I had and that shows other players what’s needed on this team.”
Agyemang could provide an explosive presence around the goal, and he has intrigued U.S. coaches and players. At 6 feet 4, he brings a size and athleticism to the center-striker position that could create matchup problems for defenders..
“I’ve grown up around this stadium my whole life, and to be there it’s going to be amazing,” Agyemang said Friday, before the team left its Chicago training headquarters to come to Hartford. “Being able to make it to this stage is a blessing, and I’m going to do all I can to take advantage of it. Obviously, the moment’s going to be great and to have my direct, immediate family and friends from (ECSU) and (East Hartford), high school, coaches coming to the game and it’s going to be a nice feeling to represent and play well in front of them.”
Here is what you need to know about the match:
U.S. vs. Turkey men’s soccer
What: International friendly match.
Where: Rentschler Field, East Hartford.
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
How to watch
In person: Limited tickets still available at Rentschler Field box office, other outlets.
TV, Streaming: TNT network, Max, Peacock, TruTV (English broadcast). Telemundo, Universo (Spanish)
About the United States team
The USMNT is still smarting from a poor performance at the Nations League Finals, losing to Panama and Canada in March in Los Angeles. Pochettino questioned the team’s commitment and over his five camps has called in 59 players, many new, to evaluate and create competition for spots. So this game is as much an audition as a tune-up for the U.S. team, 16th in the FIFA world rankings..
Top players to watch: Agyemang, Luna. Turner is trying hold his spot as No.1 keeper; Paxton and Brenden Aaronson are trying to become the first brothers to play together for the U.S. team since 1957.
The USMNT plays Switzerland in Nashville on Tuesday then on to the Gold Cup starting June 15 in Miami..
About Turkey
Currently 27th in the FIFA world rankings, Turkey is on track to qualify for the World Cup after reaching the quarterfinals of UEFA Euro 2024. Coach Vincenzo Montella, who played for Italy in 2002 World Cup, has been on the job since September 2023 and has a record of 11-6-4, Turkey outscoring opponents 34-27. Players to know include captain Hakak Calhanoglu and young attackers Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz.
.
Continue reading...
