U.S. heads to World Cup with players struggling for game time
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The FIFA U.S. Soccer Federation has suspended the U.S. national team for the next two games in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which is set for March 7-10 in California, and for the World Cup qualifiers in November, when the team will face Panama (March 3 at Orlando City Stadium at 11 a.m. PT) and Costa Rica (March 7 at Stanford Stadium at 8 p.m. PT).
The decision to suspend the Americans comes on the heels of a video posted on YouTube that shows a player at the World Cup with his pants down and a teammate on top of him.
In a meeting with federation president Sunil Gulati and vice president Carlos Cordeiro on Wednesday, the team’s top brass decided to suspend the team for its games against Panama and Costa Rica at the World Cup. It also decided to suspend the team for the November qualifiers.
The team will be available to play on March 7-10 against Panama and March 11-15 against Costa Rica on Thursday, March 11 at 8 p.m. PT and Friday, March 12 at 1 p.m. PT.
“Having a well-planned, disciplined, productive and honest approach to work and preparation is at the heart of our club, and that is exactly what we will strive for this time around,” said Gulati, who will lead the team into the Gold Cup and the November qualifiers.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said he “fully supports” the U.S. stance, saying it is “essential” that the U.S. return in time for the World Cup.
“However, I have always believed that sport and sports activities should always be a place where adults can freely express their views and opinions, as long as they respect the other parties involved,” he said in a statement.
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