U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM TO PLAY ECUADOR ON OCT. 10 IN EAST HARTFORD IN FIRST HOME GAME SINCE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP
Match Kicks Off at 7 p.m. ET at Rentschler Field; Broadcast Live on ESPN, WatchESPN, UniMas and ESPN Deportes Radio
HARTFORD (Aug. 14, 2014) – Fresh off capturing the imagination of the U.S. public with its performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, fans will have their first opportunity to welcome the U.S. Men’s National Team home when the USA hosts Ecuador on Oct. 10 in East Hartford, Connecticut. Kickoff at Rentschler Field is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN, WatchESPN, UniMas and ESPN Deportes Radio. Fans can also follow along on Twitter @ussoccer.
Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, Aug. 22, at 10 a.m. ET through ussoccer.com, by phone at 1-877-522-8499 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET only) and at the XL Center ticket office starting Monday, Aug. 25 (open Monday-Friday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.). [Note: Tickets are not sold at Rentschler Field except on the day of the event.]
Groups of 20 or more can obtain an order form at ussoccer.com or call 312-528-1290. Ultimate Fan Tickets (special VIP packages that include a premium ticket, a custom-made official U.S. National Team jersey with name and number, VIP access to the field before and after the game, and other unique benefits) are also available exclusively through ussoccer.com.
As a sponsor of U.S. Soccer, Visa is pleased to offer all Visa cardholders access to an advance ticket sale for this match before the sale to the general public. This advance sale starts Thursday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. ET and runs until Friday, Aug. 22, at 8 a.m. at ussoccer.com. Visa will be the only payment method accepted through the Visa presale and is the preferred card of U.S. Soccer. Terms and conditions apply.
“We are really excited to get our first chance to play at home after the World Cup,” said U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “The support from our fans in the United States and everyone that traveled to Brazil was awesome, and we want to build on that energy. We have an exciting four years ahead of us, and this is just the beginning. The U.S. team has a great history at Rentschler Field, so we are hoping for another big crowd against Ecuador.”
The United States holds a 2-5-4 record against Ecuador in a series dating back to 1984. Both of the USA’s victories came on U.S. soil, including a 1-0 win on March 10, 2002, in Birmingham, Alabama, that saw U.S. goalkeeper and New Jersey native Tim Howard earn his first cap and first shutout.
Led by Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia, Ecuador has qualified for three FIFA World Cups, (2002, 2006, 2014) and just missed the South American playoff spot during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Drawn into Group E along with France, Switzerland and Honduras, La Tricolor compiled a 1-1-1 record in Brazil.
Rentschler Field has hosted big-time matches for the MNT, including a World Cup qualifier, two Send-Off Series games and a CONCACAF Gold Cup group match. Brian McBride scored the game-winner in the 1-0 win on Aug. 17, 2005, against Trinidad & Tobago in final round qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, then Brek Shea made his first international goal count as the USA defeated Costa Rica 1-0 and won its group on the way to capturing the 2013 Gold Cup title. Overall, the United States holds a 3-1-0 record at the venue.
The United States reached the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, advancing out of the “Group of Death” with a second-place finish behind tournament champion Germany. Overall, the USA has posted a 5-3-2 record this year.
The U.S. Men’s National Team will travel to face the Czech Republic on Sept. 3 in Prague, marking the first match for the United States following the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
