Where:
Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua, Chile
When:
5:30 PM EST pregame show, 6:00 PM EST gametime
Where Can I Watch It:
FOX Sports One (English) and Unimas (Spanish)
Team News:
Chile:
Chile is going for an all domestic lineup for this game. They are gearing up to host the Copa America and they are using these winter friendlies to find possible new talent for the Copa. Chile has an incredibly new lineup. While regulars like Alexis Sanchez in Europe, Chile is bringing in 10 uncapped players to the roster. Only five players on the roster have more than 10 caps.
United States:
Jurgen Klinsmann and the USMNT is going with youth. Klinsmann is devoting his energy this year in qualifying for the Olympics so he’s going for younger players. Not to mention that the January camp is usually to give players a chance at playing for the USMNT and are mostly based in MLS as they are in the offseason. Only two players on the roster are playing in Europe, DeAndre Yedlin and Bobby Wood.
Just like with Chile, the USMNT have many uncapped players on the roster. In total, eight players are on the USMNT roster who are still uncapped (Kempin, Birnbaum, Hedges, Kitchen, O’Neill, Serna, Trapp and Zardes).
Last Meeting:
The United States and Chile last played in 2011 where Teal Bunbury equalized to draw 1-1 in Los Angeles. Chile leads the series 4-3-2.
Things to Watch For:
Like with many friendlies, don’t get so hung up on the final score. The object of this game is for the new players to get their feet wet and impress their respective team. Don’t get too high if the US wins and don’t get too low if they lose. If I had to give an edge to one team, the USMNT has a more experienced team so I would give the edge to them. The United States has a better balance of experience and new blood over Chile.
