CHICAGO (Nov. 27, 2023) – The U.S. Men’s National Team will open its 2024 schedule with a friendly against Slovenia on Jan. 20 at Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas. Coverage of the USA’s first match of the campaign begins at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT) on TNT, Telemundo, Universo, Max and Peacock. Live Spanish-language audio for the match will be available on Fútbol de Primera radio.
Fans will be able to follow the match via Twitter @USMNT, Instagram @USMNT, Facebook and The Official U.S. Soccer App.
With the match date falling outside a FIFA international window, the training camp and match against Slovenia provide a huge opportunity for the next generation to make a statement during an important year for U.S. Men’s National Team programs which includes the opportunity to win a third-straight Concacaf Nations League championship in March as well as compete in the prestigious Copa America and the 2024 Olympic Games.
“This is an opportunity for us to identify and work with the next generation of players who have the potential to make an impact on our program,” USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “With the World Cup coming to the United States in 2026, we have placed a huge priority on getting as many players as possible experience in important competitions. Between the Olympics, Concacaf Nations League and Copa America, the chances are there for players to make a statement, and for many of them the game in San Antonio can be an important first step.”
Playing at the home of 2022 USL Championship winners San Antonio FC, this marks the second time U.S. Soccer will host a match in the venue of a club currently playing in the United Soccer League during the modern era. Toyota Field has hosted several notable matches throughout the years which have included European teams like Cardiff City, Sunderland AFC, as well as several Liga MX teams.
“We are excited to return to San Antonio for the first time since 2015. As part of our core mission to grow the game, we think it’s important to bring the National Teams to different markets across the United States as well as showcase the great work being done at all levels of the sport,” U.S. Soccer Chief Commercial Officer Dave Wright said. “San Antonio certainly deserves that recognition, and we’d like to thank the City of San Antonio, Spurs Sports & Entertainment, and San Antonio FC for their incredible partnership and support to date. The match against Slovenia promises to be great showcase for soccer in South Texas.”
Slovenia recently qualified for the UEFA Euro 2024 championship, finishing tied on points with Group H winners Denmark. The USA and Slovenia have met twice in international competition, including the dramatic 2-2 draw during the group phase of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
TICKET INFORMATION
Presales for the match will begin on Tuesday, November 28 with the public sale beginning on Monday, December 4.
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.
EXCLUSIVE PRESALES FOR U.S. SOCCER INSIDERS
For the opportunity to buy tickets before the general public, fans should consider becoming U.S. Soccer Insiders. Membership is free for Standard Insiders. Learn more.
Presale Schedule for USMNT vs. Slovenia
Sales Schedule |
Presale Date & Start Time |
Circle Insiders Presale (Circle Insiders) |
Tuesday, November 28 | 10 a.m. CT |
VIP Insiders Presale (VIP Insiders) |
Tuesday, November 28 | 2 p.m. CT |
Premium Insiders Presale (Premium & Premium Family Insiders) |
Wednesday, November 29 | 10 a.m. CT |
Standard Insiders Presale (Standard Insiders) |
Friday, December 1 | 10 a.m. CT |
Visa Presale (Visa cardholders only) |
Sunday, December 3 | 10 a.m. CT |
Public Sale |
Monday, December 4 | 10 a.m. CT |
VISA PRESALE
As the official payment technology sponsor of U.S. Soccer, Visa® has made special arrangements for Visa cardholders to participate in an advance sale of tickets. These advance sales will take place from Sunday, December 3 at 10 a.m. CT to Monday, December 4 at 8 a.m. CT through the purchase links at ussoccer.com. As the preferred card of U.S. Soccer, Visa will be the only payment method accepted during the Visa presale. Terms and conditions apply.
TURNING JANUARY CAMP TIME INTO WORLD CUP OPPORTUNITIES
The annual January Camp has a long history of providing chance for MLS-based players to get an extended look from the coaching staff and make an impact. There are numerous examples of players who got a first look with the USMNT during a January Camp and went on to make a World Cup roster.
From the USA’s squad at Qatar 2022, nine players earned their first or second cap during a January camp match, including captain Tyler Adams, forward Brenden Aaronson, defenders Walker Zimmerman and Tim Ream and starting goalkeeper Matt Turner. The list of alumni also includes five members of the 100-cap club: Jozy Altidore, DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan.
USMNT vs. SLOVENIA
San Antonio is hosting the first friendly encounter between the teams on U.S. soil. The USMNT holds a 1-0-1 record overall in the series, with the most famous of the meetings coming in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Following the USA’s 1-1 draw with England to open the tournament, Slovenia jumped to a 2-0 lead before halftime, setting the stage for a dramatic U.S. comeback. Landon Donovan cut the deficit in half in the 48th minute, then Michael Bradley put home the equalizer in the 82nd. Three minutes later, Maurice Edu appeared to have scored the go-ahead goal which was controversially nullified by referee Koman Coulibaly.
The following year, a goal and assist by Clint Dempsey and a game-winning penalty conversion by Jozy Altidore paced the USA to a 3-2 victory on Nov. 15, 2011, in Ljubljana.
UPCOMING COMPETITION
The first match of the year is a prelude to three significant competitions in 2024 for both the senior team and the U-23 USMNT.
The USMNT kicks it off with the Concacaf Nations League final four in March. Having won the first two editions of the tournament, the U.S. will face Jamaica in the first semifinal on March 21 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In June, the U.S. will compete in the prestigious 2024 Copa America featuring 10 CONMEBOL nations including defending World Cup and Copa America champion Argentina led by captain and Inter Miami attacker Lionel Messi. A total of six teams from Concacaf will participate in the event that will take place this summer in the United States, with the draw for the competition to be held Dec. 7 in Miami.
For the first time since 2008, the U.S. qualified to compete in Olympic Games. The tournament will be held from July 24-Aug. 10 in France, and features players under the age of 23, with the ability to include three overage players on the roster.
IN SAN ANTONIO
This will be the USA’s third visit to San Antonio, and the first since 2015. In that match, Stanford University sophomore Jordan Morris scored early in the second half in his first start for the U.S. and Juan Agudelo added his first international goal in four years and the Americans dispatched Mexico by their traditional 2-0 score in front of a sold-out crowd of 64,639 at the Alamodome