How about a week-long vacation in the British Isles?
That's what US national team supporters might be entertaining after the Croatian soccer federation on Saturday revealed that it would be playing the USMNT in an international friendly on Wednesday, Nov. 12 in London's Craven Cottage.
U.S. Soccer confirmed to the Washington Post on Saturday that it was in talks with the Croatian federation about a game, but that two sides have not reached a deal to confirm the date. USSF has already announced a Tuesday, Nov. 18 friendly against Robbie Keane and the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The latest reported matcup would not only be one between two teams who reached the World Cup this summer - the US are currently ranked No. 17 in the world and Croatia No. 19 - but it has an even greater significance for Croatian supporters. The nation's first-ever international match came on October 17, 1990 against the USA, a 2-1 Croatia victory in Zagreb (WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS HERE).
"I am extremely glad to have reached an agreement with my colleagues from US Soccer," said Croatian federation president Davor Suker in a statement published on the federation's official site. "We are all aware what the 1990 match signified for Croatia and Croatian football. Nearly a quarter of a century later, USA has an excellent squad, their football is expanding and this encounter will promote both US and Croatian football."
The MLS Cup Playoffs will break during the FIFA fixture dates scheduled for Nov. 10 - Nov. 18. The postseason resumes with the first leg of the conference championships on the weekend of Nov. 22-23.
