The USMNT will take on Japan in its first and Saudi Arabia in its second September international friendly ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Like a normal competitive soccer match, a friendly game is 90 minutes long – containing two 45-minute halves.Why are friendly matches important?
Friendly matches are significant for teams, especially ahead of major international tournaments like the World Cup. Friendlies increase a player’s fitness levels, provide more time for the players to play alongside one another, as well as test plays against other teams. Friendlies also allow for players to experiment with new strategies and slowly transition to play after injury.
Usually a friendly match marks some sort of occasion, therefore these matches are often used to fundraise for charities.For the first friendly game, the USMNT will take on Japan on Friday, Sept. 23. The match is slated for a kickoff at 8:30 a.m. ET in Düsseldorf, Germany.For more information on how to watch the matches, click