USA National Men’s Soccer Team defeats Iceland on Jan. 31st and Canada on Feb. 5th at the Stub Hub Center- Preview, Tickets

CHICAGO (Feb. 4, 2016) – The U.S. Men’s National Team closes out the annual January camp Friday, Feb. 5 when it faces Canada at StubHub Center, Carson, Calif. The match kicks off at 7:15 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on FS1, UniMas and UDN. Fans can also follow the game live on Twitter at @ussoccer and @ussoccer_esp.

The match is the second of the year for the USA, which opened the campaign on Sunday, Jan. 31 with a 3-2 win against Iceland in a match that was also played at StubHub Center. Four players made their MNT debuts as the USA used a 90^th minute goal by defender Steve Birnbaum to secure the win after twice coming from behind.  Iceland has qualified for the 2016 Euro tournament so they have a good team.

The mixed 24-man roster consists of Senior Team and U-23 MNT players who are preparing for a pair of key home-and-home series in March. The MNT will face Guatemala in the semifinal round of 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, while the U-23 MNT will play Colombia in a playoff series for the final berth in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

The USA has an all-time record of 13-8-11 against Canada and carries a 16-game undefeated streak against its northern neighbor into Friday’s match. The last time the teams met on the senior level was Jan. 29, 2013, when they played to a scoreless draw at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Tex.

The MNT carries a 16-game overall undefeated streak against Canada into Friday’s match (8-0-8), as well as a 17-game home unbeaten run (8-0-9) against Canada, which dates back to the 1950’s. The MNT is 10-1-9 all-time against Canada in matches played in the USA and has not lost on American soil since July 6, 1957, when it fell 2-3 in St. Louis, Mo.

The game will have special significance for the U-23s, as the team’s met in the third-place of match of the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship to determine which team would face Colombia for the final spot in the Olympic Games in Rio. An 84^th minute penalty from Jerome Kiesewetter sealed the 2-0 shutout for the United States.

The MNT is now 10-2-2 all-time at StubHub Center, outscoring its opponents 34-11.

MNT’S 24-MAN ROSTER : With the release of defenders Brad Evans and Michael Orozco back to the clubs following the Iceland match, USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has a 24-man roster available for the friendly against Canada. Four players made their MNT debuts against Iceland, leaving six players in camp still looking for their first cap. A total of nine players are eligible for the U-23 MNT that will look to secure a spot in the Summer Olympics.

U.S. Roster by Position:

GOALKEEPERS (3): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls)

DEFENDERS (7): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Eric Miller (Montreal Impact), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Matt Polster (Chicago Fire), Brandon Vincent (Chicago Fire)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (Unattached), Perry Kitchen (Unattached), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Tony Tchani (Columbus Crew SC), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC)

FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Ethan Finlay (Columbus Crew SC), Jerome Kiesewetter (VfB Stuttgart), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Khiry Shelton (New York City FC), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

USA NOTES:

• Following the win against Iceland, defenders Brad Evans and Michael Orozco were released back to their clubs. Orozco scored the second goal for the USA, which tied the match at 2-2.
• Kellyn Acosta, Ethan Finlay, Jerome Kieswetter and Tony Tchani all made their MNT debuts against Iceland.
• Jozy Altidore’s goal against Iceland gave him 32 for his international career and pushed him within two strikes of tying Eric Wynalda (34) for third on the MNT’s all-time scoring list.
• Steve Birnbaum registered his first international assist and first goal for the USA in just his second match for his country against Iceland.
• With two assists against Iceland, Michael Bradley is now third on the MNT’s all-time assist list with 20. The USA captain and Budweiser Man of the Match passed former team captain Claudio Reyna, who had 19 in 13 years with the team.
• Lee Nguyen made his first career start for the MNT against Iceland after appearing off the bench in his first seven caps, dating back to his debut on July 12, 2007.
• Luis Robles made his first appearance for the USA since July 11, 2009.
• David Bingham, Eric Miller, Mix Diskerud, Wil Trapp and Perry Kitchen were unused substitutes. Sean Johnson, Tim Parker, Matt Polster, Khiry Shelton and Brandon Vincent did not dress.
• With the win on Sunday, Jurgen Klinsmann moved past Bob Bradley into second on the MNT’s all-time coaching wins list with 44; he is now behind only Bruce Arena (71).
• The USA lineup against Iceland: USA: 12-Luis Robles; 3-Brad Evans (15-Steve Birnbaum, 46), 19-Michael Orozco, 5-Matt Besler, 14-Kellyn Acosta; 4-Michael Bradley (capt.), 13-Jermaine Jones (25-Tony Tchani, 71), 7-Ethan Finlay (6-Darlington Nagbe, 61), 16-Lee Nguyen; 9-Gyasi Zardes (18-Jerome Kiesewetter, 75), 17-Jozy Altidore (8-Jordan Morris, 75)

USA-CANADA CONNECTIONS:

• Only Jozy Altidore, Matt Besler, Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones have played against Canada. Bradley has faced Canada three times (June 21, 2007; June 7, 2011; June 3, 2012), Jones and Altidore twice (June 7, 2011; June 3, 2012), and Besler once (Jan. 29, 2013).
• Altidore is the only player to score against Canada, tallying the second USA goal in a 2-0 win on June 7, 2011, in the Gold Cup group stage in Detroit, Mich.
• The USA has played Canada to two scoreless draws under head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
• Ethan Finlay’s father, Brent, was born in Canada.
• Four USA players play on Canadian clubs in MLS: Altidore and Bradley (Toronto), Eric Miller (Montreal) and Tim Parker (Vancouver).
• The U-23 sides met in October 2015 in the 2015 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. The USA defeated Canada 3-1 in the group stage on Oct. 1 and then won 2-0 in the third place match on Oct. 13.
• Jerome Kieswetter, Jordan Morris, Matt Polster, and Wil Trapp started both games against Canada in Olympic Qualifying , with Morris scoring twice in the group stage and Kiesewetter adding an insurance penalty kick in the third place match.

TEAMMATES AND OPPONENTS: With 21 players on the USA roster and 11 on Canada’s plying their trade in Major League Soccer, there are six MLS clubs who feature teammates playing on opposite sides on Friday:

• FC Dallas – Kellyn Acosta (USA) and Tesho Akindele (CAN)
• Montreal Impact – Eric Miller (USA) and Maxime Crépeau (CAN), Wandrille Lefèvre (CAN), Kyle Bekker
• New York Red Bulls – Luis Robles (USA) and Karl W. Ouimette (CAN)
• Sporting KC – Matt Besler (USA) and Marcel De Jong (CAN)
• Toronto FC – Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley (USA) and Will Johnson (CAN)
• Vancouver Whitecaps – Tim Parker (USA) and Marco Bustos (CAN), Kianz Froese (CAN)

CANADA ROSTER BY POSITION:

GOALKEEPERS (3): 1- Maxime Crépeau (Impact Montréal, MLS), 18- Tyson Farago (FC Edmonton, NASL), 22- Callum Irving (University of Kentucky).

DEFENDERS (8): 2-Nik Ledgerwood (FC Edmonton, NASL), 3-Samuel Adekugbe (Vancouver Whitecaps FC, MLS), 4-Doneil Henry (West Ham United, ENG), 5-Adam Straith (Fredrikstad FK, NOR), 12-Wandrille Lefèvre (Impact Montréal, MLS), 15-Steven Vitória (Benfica, POR), 20-Karl W. Ouimette (New York Red Bulls, MLS), 21-Mallan Roberts (FC Edmonton, NASL)

MIDFIELDERS (9): 6- M- Julian de Guzman (Ottawa Fury FC, NASL), 7-Iain Hume (Unattached), 8-Will Johnson (Toronto FC, MLS), 10-Kyle Bekker (Impact Montréal, MLS), 11-Issey Nakajima-Farran (Terengganu FA, MAS), 13-Jamar Dixon (FF Jaro, FIN), 14-Marco Bustos (Vancouver Whitecaps FC, MLS), 16-Kianz Froese (Vancouver Whitecaps FC, MLS), 17-Marcel De Jong (Sporting Kansas City, MLS).

FORWARD (3): 23-Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas, MLS), 19-Caleb Clarke (Unattached), 9-Cyle Larin (Orlando City SC, MLS).

Head coach: Benito Floro

CANADA NOTES:

• Canada is led by head coach Benito Floro from Spain, who was hired on July 5, 2013.
• The team, which has been training in San Diego, is also preparing two 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in March. They’ll face Mexico in Vancouver on Friday, March 25 and travel south for the away leg in Mexico on March 29.
• Canada posted a record of 6-2-6 in 2015, scoring 18 goals while conceding just six. The 14 matches were the team’s most in a calendar year since 2000.
• The 23-man roster for the team’s first game of 2016 includes 11 players who play in MLS, four who play in the NASL, two who are unattached, one each from leagues in England, Finland, Norway, Portugal and Malaysia as well as one collegiate player.
• Four players are looking to make the Canadian MNT debuts: Goalkeepers Tyson Farago and Callum Irving, centerback Steven Vitória, and midfielder Jamar Dixon.
• The most capped player in camp is Julian de Guzman with 85.
• de Guzman (2008) and Will Johnson (2013) are former Canadian Players of the Year.
• The squad also features the last two MLS Rookies of the Year. Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas), won the honors in 2014 while Cyle Larin (Orlando City SC) ran away with the award in 2015 after scoring 17 goals in his first professional season.
• The two youngest players on the roster are Kianz Froese and Marco Bustos (both Vancouver Whitecaps FC), who made their international debuts in 2015.
• Kyle Becker, Nik Ledgerwood and Doniel Henry are the only players on the roster who played against the USA in the last meeting on January 29, 2013.
• Maxime Crepeau and Caleb Clarke both started and went the full 90 in the last meeting between the U-23 MNTs.

LINEUP NOTES:

• Kellyn Acosta and Ethan Finlay are making their MNT debuts.
• Altidore, Besler, Bradley, Evans, Jones, Orozco and Zardes all have at least 19 caps. Acosta, Finlay, Nguyen and Robles have a combined eight.
• GK Luis Robles is making his first start and appearance with the MNT since July 11, 2009.
• Lee Nguyen is making his first career start for the MNT. Nguyen made his MNT debut as a sub on July 12, 2007 and has seven career appearances off the bench.
• Acosta is the fourth player from the 2015 U-20 World Cup team to earn a cap (Hyndman, Rubio, Miazga).
• Finlay and Robles were both named to the MLS Best XI team in 2015.
• Altidore, entering his 10th season with the MNT at 26 years old, is fourth on the all-time goals list with 31. Eric Wynalda is third with 34.
• The five veterans from the 2014 FIFA World Cup team on the gameday roster: Jozy Altidore, Matt Besler, Michael Bradley, Mix Diskerud and Jermaine Jones.
• Ten players representing nine different MLS clubs are on the starting XI.
• Of the 10 players available as substitutes, Mix Diskerud is the most capped with 36, followed by Jordan Morris with seven, Perry Kitchen and Darlington Nagbe with two, Wil Trapp and Steve Birnbaum with one each and four players are seeking their first cap: David Bingham, Jerome Kiesewetter, Eric Miller and Tony Tchani.

PHOTOS by  DAVID DERAM

U.S. MNT BEGINS 2016 WITH WELL EARNED 3-2 WIN AGAINST ICELAND AT STUBHUB CENTER

Altidore, Orozco, Birnbaum Score, Bradley Adds Pair of Assists in Klinsmann’s 44th MNT Win
USA Next Faces Canada in International Friendly at StubHub Center on Feb. 5

CARSON, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2016) – The U.S. Men’s National Team opened up its 2016 campaign with a stirring 3-2 comeback win against Iceland at StubHub Center on Sunday afternoon. Jozy Altidore, Michael Orozco and Steve Birnbaum got into the scorers’ column for the USA with Birnbaum also grabbing an assist and captain Michael Bradley providing a pair of helpers as well.

In an open, attacking match, Iceland grabbed the lead twice, once in the first half and again in the second, but the USA responded shortly after going behind on each occasion before Birnbaum grabbed the late game-winner in the 90th minute.

U.S. goalkeeper Luis Robles was called on late in the second half, preventing Iceland from breaking a 2-2 deadlock with a point blank stop on Birkir Mar Saevarsson for his only save of the match. Four players – starters Kellyn Acosta and Ethan Finlay, and substitutes Tony Tchani and Jerome Kiesewetter – earned their first senior caps with the MNT, while Lee Nguyen earned his first start after making seven previous appearances for his country.

The MNT will conclude its 2016 January Camp this Friday, Feb. 5 with a friendly against Canada at StubHub Center. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on FS1, UniMas and UDN.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
ISL – Kristinn Steindorsson, 13th minute: Iceland worked the ball down the USA’s left flank and sent in a cross that was only half cleared. Iceland forward Eidur Gudjohnsen was able to beat defender Matt Besler to the ball inside the USA box and find a cutting Steindorsson, whose shot deflected off Michael Orozco, wrong-footing goalkeeper Luis Robles and finding the back of the net. USA 0, ISL 1

USA – Jozy Altidore (Michael Bradley), 20th minute: Jermaine Jones initiated a sharp move through the heart of the Iceland defense, ushering midfield partner Michael Bradley forward before picking out Zardes on the right side of the visitors’ penalty area. Zardes played a one touch ball into the path of Bradley, who sent it on for Altidore to send a deft chip from eight yards out over onrushing ‘keeper Ogmundur Kristinsson and into the open goal. USA 1, ISL 1 (SEE GOAL)

ISL – Aron Sigurdarson, 48th minute: Iceland quickly restarted play from a free kick near midfield as Sigurdarson was sent down the USA’s right flank. MNT midfielder Ethan Finlay tried to track back but was unable to clear the ball with a sliding tackle. Sigurdarson advanced toward the top right corner of the USA box and bent a shot around defender Steve Birnbaum and just out of reach of diving U.S. ‘keeper Luis Robles into the far side netting. USA 1, ISL 2

USA – Michael Orozco (Steve Birnbaum), 59th minute: Iceland was unable to clear a U.S. corner kick past Jozy Altidore, who was stationed at the top of the penalty area, and he chipped the ball back into danger at the left post where defender Steve Birnbaum rose above the fray to head the ball back across the face of goal. An unmarked Michael Orozco was waiting for Birnbaum’s headed pass and easily nodded the ball over the goal line to knot the score midway through the second half. USA 2, ISL 2 (SEE GOAL)

USA – Steve Birnbaum (Michael Bradley), 90th minute: Jerome Kiesewetter drew a free kick for the USA after a nice run down the left channel. Captain Michael Bradley notched his second assist of the day as he stepped up and served in a curling cross toward the back post where Birnbaum met it with a thumping header from six yards out that left Kristinsson no chance in the Iceland goal. USA 3, ISL 2 (SEE GOAL) FINAL

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
USA – Luis Robles, 69th minute- Late in the game, U.S. goalkeeper Luis Robles thwarted a point blank attempt from Birkir Mar Saevarsson, who found himself open at the top of the U.S. box after combining with a couple teammates through the center of the defense.

Next on the Schedule: The U.S. MNT welcomes northern neighbor Canada to StubHub Center for its second game of 2016. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on FS1, UniMas and UDN. The match will be the USA’s final warm-up before resuming World Cup Qualifying with a home-and-away series against Guatemala in March.
Social: Twitter (@ussoccer; @ussoccer_esp); Facebook; Instagram; Snapchat (ussoccer)

Milestone Watch:

• Forward Jozy Altidore’s first half goal gave him 32 for his international career and pushed him within two strike of tying Eric Wynalda (34) for third on the MNT’s all-time goals scored list.
• Defender Steve Birnbaum notched his first international goal for the USA in just his second match for his country. He also picked up an assist as he posted his first points for the MNT.
• Defender Michael Orozco, who was a late edition to the roster for the match against Iceland, bagged his fourth international goal, the most of any defender currently with the team.
• Michael Bradley’s two assists pushed him to third on the MNT’s all-time assist list. The USA captain now has 20 in his 10 years with the MNT, passing former team captain Claudio Reyna, who had 19 in 13 years with the team.
• Bradley is currently in eighth place on the USA all-time caps list at 110, and is now tied with Carlos Bocanegra and Paul Caliguiri. Next up on the list in seventh place is Claudio Reyna with 112. Cobi Jones is the all-time leader in appearances with 164.
• FC Dallas defender Kellyn Acosta and Columbus Crew SC forward Ethan Finlay made their international debuts with the full U.S. Men’s National Team. Acosta had previously appeared for the U.S. at numerous youth levels; however, this was Finlay’s first appearance for his country at any level.
• Lee Nguyen made his first career start for the MNT. He made his MNT debut as a sub on July 12, 2007 and has seven career appearances off the bench.
• Tony Tchani made his international debut for the USA, coming on for Jermaine Jones to marshal the midfield in the 71st minute.
• Jerome Kiesewetter earned his first full international appearance, coming on for Gyasi Zardes in the 75th minute. He had previously made 16 appearances and scored six goals for the U-23 MNT in 2015.
• With today’s win Jurgen Klinsmann moves past Bob Bradley into second on the MNT’s all-time coaching wins list with 44; he is now behind only Bruce Arena (71).

Additional Notes:

• The MNT is now 10-2-2 all-time at StubHub Center, outscoring its opponents 34-11
• The USA is now 3-2-2 all-time vs. Iceland, including a 3-1-0 mark in matches played in the U.S.
• Today’s match was the seventh meeting between the USA and Iceland, but the first since 1994. After meeting once in 1955 and again in 1978, the teams met four times from 1990-1994. The last match was on April 14, 1994, with Iceland claiming a 2-1 win in San Diego, California.
• In his 80th match in charge of the MNT, Jurgen Klinsmann fielded a starting back line of Brad Evans at right back, Michael Orozco and Matt Besler in the center of defense and senior team debutant Kellyn Acosta at left back.
• The USA’s starting midfield was comprised of Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley in the middle of the park with Ethan Finlay on the right and Lee Nguyen on the left. Jozy Altidore led the forward line up top with Gyasi Zardes partnering him in attack.
• Acosta is the fourth player from the 2015 U-20 World Cup team to earn a senior cap (Emerson Hyndman, Rubio Rubin, Matt Miazga).
• The five veterans from the 2014 FIFA World Cup team on the gameday roster were: Altidore, Besler, Bradley, Mix Diskerud and Jones.
• Ten players representing nine different MLS clubs were in today’s starting XI for the USMNT.
• Of the 10 players available as substitutes, Diskerud is the most capped with 36. No other player has more than seven.
• The match attendance was 8,803.

-U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report-

Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Iceland
Date: Jan. 31, 2016
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: StubHub Center
Kickoff: 12:45 p.m. PT
Attendance: 8,803
Weather: 61 degrees; mostly cloudy, intermittent rain

Scoring Summary: 1   2   F
USA                        1   2   3
ISL                           1   1   2

ISL – Kristinn Steindorsson                         13th minute
USA – Jozy Altidore (Michael Bradley)          20
ISL – Aron Sigurdarson                                48
USA – Michael Orozco (Steve Birnbaum)      59
USA – Steve Birnbaum (Michael Bradley)      90

Lineups:
USA: 12-Luis Robles; 3-Brad Evans (15-Steve Birnbaum, 46), 19-Michael Orozco, 5-Matt Besler, 14-Kellyn Acosta; 4-Michael Bradley (capt.), 13-Jermaine Jones (25-Tony Tchani, 71), 7-Ethan Finlay (6-Darlington Nagbe, 61), 16-Lee Nguyen; 9-Gyasi Zardes (18-Jerome Kiesewetter, 75), 17-Jozy Altidore (8-Jordan Morris, 75)
Subs Not Used: 22-David Bingham, 2-Eric Miller, 10-Mix Diskerud, 20-Wil Trapp, 23-Perry Kitchen
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

ISL: 1-Ogmundur Kristinsson; 2-Birkir Mar Saevarsson, 3-Hallgrimur Jonasson (4-Hjortur Hermannsson, 46), 5-Jon Gudni Fjoluson, 23-Ari Freyr Skulason (18-Aevar Ingi Johannesson, 84); 7-Aron Sigurdarson, 6-Gudmundur Thorarinsson (14-Diego Johannesson, 46), 8-Runar Mar Sigurjonsson, 17-Kristinn Steindorsson (15-Aron Elis Thrandarson, 46); 10-Arnor Smarason, 22-Eidur Smari Gudjohnsen (capt.) (11-Kjartan Henry Finnbogason, 71)
Subs Not Used: 12-Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson, 9-Gardar Gunnlaugsson
Head coach: Heimir Hallgrimsson and Lars Lagerback

Stats Summary: USA / ISL
Shots: 16 / 6
Shots on Goal: 5 / 3
Saves: 1 / 1
Corner Kicks: 8 / 2
Fouls: 7 / 8
Offside: 3 / 2

Misconduct Summary:
ISL – Jon Gudni Fjoluson (caution)      45th minute
USA – Darlington Nagbe (caution)       72

Officials:
Referee: Jeffrey Solis (CRC)
Assistant Referee 1: Warner Castro (CRC)
Assistant Referee 2: Carlos Fernandez (CRC)
4th Official: Ricardo Montero (CRC)

Budweiser Man of the Match: Michael Bradley