The U.S. Men's National Team have announced the first three matches of their 2018 campaign. The Americans are set to host Paraguay in North Carolina in March, then head overseas to face Ireland and France in June.
The National Team's first match in North Carolina since 2006, USA-Paraguay will kick off at 7 p.m. ET at WakeMed Soccer Park's Sahlen Stadium in Cary, NC, on March 27. The USMNT head to Dublin next where they'll meet the Boys in Green at Aviva Stadium on June 2. The following week, the Americans will take on 1998 World Cup champion and current no. 9-ranked France at Lyon's Groupama Stadium on June 9.
Paul Arriola, Ian Harkes, and Russell Canouse will be among the D.C. United players in the American pool vying for spots in the upcoming friendlies. Arriola has become a regular within the USMNT's lineup, while Harkes and Canouse are coming off of their first senior team call-ups in January Camp.
With an eye turned toward the future, the National Team will be focusing on young Americans' performances with their professional clubs early in the year. A strong start to the 2018 D.C. United regular season could boost Arriola's chance of continuing his rise with the Yanks, and could improve Harkes and Canouse's chances of picking up their first caps.
Determined to raise their competition levels, the USMNT are expected to add additional friendlies in September, October, and November as well.
