CHICAGO (April 18, 2019) – Making its first visit to Cincinnati, the U.S. Men’s National Team will face Venezuela on June 9 in its final preparation match for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. Kickoff at Nippert Stadium is set for 2 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast on FOX and UniMás. Fans can also follow along via U.S. Soccer’s official Facebook, Twitter (@USMNT) and Instagram (@USMNT) accounts.
The match against Venezuela comes at a critical time for the United States, just nine days before the opening of its Gold Cup title defense in the first major competition under new MNT head coach Gregg Berhalter. La Vinotinto is coming off a 3-1 upset victory against two-time World Cup champions Argentina in Madrid last month.
“We are looking forward to having this opportunity heading into the Gold Cup,” U.S. MNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “Venezuela is in a period of emerging talent with their national teams. This generation of players reached the 2017 U-20 World Cup Final and has already produced an impressive result at the senior level by beating Argentina. Like us, they have been testing themselves against different types of opposition. When you add in the support that FC Cincinnati has developed and we expect to see, you couldn’t ask for a better preparation match.”
The U.S. Men’s National Team will begin its quest for a record-tying seventh confederation title when they face Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Panama in Group D of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, taking place June 15-July 7 in the United States, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
The MNT opens the 15th edition of the Concacaf Gold Cup with its first trip to Minnesota, taking on Guyana on Tuesday, June 18 at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minn., a venue that has already set the fastest record for a sell-out in tournament history.
Following that match, the U.S. moves east to face Trinidad & Tobago on Saturday, June 22 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland before closing group play against Panama on Wednesday, June 26 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Ticket Information
Tickets go on sale to the public Thursday, April 25, at 10 a.m. ET through ussoccer.com. [Note: Tickets are not sold at Nippert Stadium except on the day of the event.]
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.
Coaches Circle and Presidents Circle members supporting the U.S. Soccer Development Fund can receive individual customer support and concierge services for their ticketing needs. Click here or contact circles@ussoccer.org for more information.
Three Things on USA-Venezuela
The MNT plays for the first time at the home of MLS expansion club FC Cincinnati. Overall, the U.S. holds a 10-2-3 record in the state of Ohio. Seeking to win a record-tying seventh Gold Cup title, the United States will open group play on June 18 against Guyana at a sold-out Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn. The MNT will play one other Gold Cup warmup prior to the June 9 match in Cincinnati.
Having first met at the 1993 Copa América, this will be the sixth contest between the United States and Venezuela, with the USA posting an unbeaten 3-0-2 mark in the series. Christian Pulisic had the goal while Tim Howard earned Budweiser Man of the Match honors in the last meeting, a 1-1 draw on June 3, 2017, in Sandy, Utah
Veteran U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley earned his first cap against Venezuela during the Send-Off Series for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Cleveland. Graham Zusi made his MNT debut six years later in the 1-0 win to open the USA’s 2012 campaign in Glendale, Ariz.