United States Soccer Federation cancels international friendlies due to coronavirus
US Soccer decided to cancel both USWNT and USMNT multiple games that were set to be played in March and April over public health concerns.
The United States Soccer Federation announced this Thursday the cancelation of all men’s and women’s national team friendlies scheduled in March and April, as well as all planned youth national team activity, over public concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. Soccer’s decision joined MLS, NBA, MLB, NHL and other live sports that made the decision this Thursday of postponing all events in an effort to stop the spreading of COVID-19.
“With the health of our players, coaches, staff and fans as our main priority, U.S. Soccer has decided it was in the best interest to cancel the majority of our upcoming domestic and international camps at all levels, including our senior Men’s and Women’s National Team games in March and April, due to the outbreak of COVID-19,” said U.S. Soccer Chief Medical Officer George Chiampas in a prepared statement. “We have been in communication with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local departments of public health, and after those conversations and continuously monitoring the situation, we strongly believe this is the best decision considering the ongoing worldwide health situation.”
Postponed matches
USMNT had scheduled a trip to Europe to face Netherlands on March 26 in Eindhoven and four days later they were going to play Wales in Cardiff. Gregg Belhalter had called Borussia Dortmunds young superstar Giovanni Reyna for this set of friendlies and he was supposed to make his debut with the national team. While USWNT was going to face Australia on April 10 and four days later Brazil in San Jose, California.
Concacaf Pre-Olympic
Another tournament that could be canceled due to the coronavirus is the Concacaf Pre-Olympic that was scheduled to start on March 20th and end the 1st of April in Guadalajara.