CHICAGO (February 12, 2003) — The U.S. Men’s National Team was drawn
into Group B and will face Brazil, Cameroon and Turkey at the sixth FIFA
Confederations Cup from June 18-29 in France. The FIFA Confederations
Cup draw took place today prior to France’s friendly international against
the Czech Republic at the Stade de France in Paris.
The U.S. opens the tournament against two World Cup semifinalists, facing
Turkey on June 19 in St. Etienne at 7 p.m. local time (1 p.m. ET), and
then taking on Brazil on June 21 in Lyon at 9 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET).
The U.S. concludes group play against Cameroon on June 23 in Lyon at 9
p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET). The top two teams from each group advance
to the semifinals on June 26. The third-place match is scheduled
for June 28, and the final takes place on June 29 in Paris.
“We are arguably in the toughest group in the Confederations Cup, and
it will be a great challenge for the team,” said U.S. head coach Bruce
Arena from Jamaica, where the U.S. is preparing for tonight's match with
the Reggae Boyz. “We are excited about facing two opponents that
are relatively unknown to us in Cameroon and Turkey, and, of course, playing
against a familiar opponent in Brazil. Overall, it will be a great
challenge for us and it will serve as great preparation for World Cup qualifying
in 2004.”
The U.S. has played Brazil ten times previously, managing only one win,
a memorable 1-0 surprise in the 1998 Gold Cup. Meanwhile the U.S.
is relatively unfamiliar with their other two first round opponents, playing
Turkey only once - drawing 1-1 in Istanbul on September 4, 1991- and having
never played Cameroon.
The U.S. has played in two previous Confederations Cup Tournaments,
finishing third at the inaugural event in 1992, and finishing second in
1999 in Mexico. Arena guided the team to some of their most impressive
results at Mexico ‘99. In Mexico, the U.S. finished second in a group
that included New Zealand, Brazil and Germany on the strength of a commanding
2-0 win over Germany in the deciding match. The U.S. then lost 1-0
to Mexico in a thrilling overtime affair at Estadio Azteca, before bouncing
back and topping Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the third-place match.
France won the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, played in Korea/Japan
as a dress rehearsal for the 2002 World Cup, and Mexico became the first
host team to lift the Cup when they topped Brazil in the final in 1999.
The field at the Confederations Cup is comprised of the six confederation
champions (Cameroon, Colombia, France, Japan, New Zealand and the USA),
the World Cup Champions (Brazil) and a guest team (Turkey). Six of
the nations fielded sides at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea / Japan,
including four of the top nine finishers.
2003 FIFA Confederations Cup Tournament Schedule
Semi finals
Third Place
Final
Tournament Groups
(*schedule subject to amendment)
Group Stage
Date Match
Location Time (local / ET)
June 18 New Zealand vs. Japan
Paris
6 p.m. / 12 p.m.
France vs Colombia
Lyon
9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
June 19 Turkey vs USA
St. Etienne 7 p.m. / 1 p.m.
Brazil vs Cameroon
Paris
9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
June 20 Colombia vs New Zealand Lyon
7 p.m. / 1 p.m.
France vs Japan
St. Etienne 9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
June 21 Cameroon vs Turkey
Paris
7 p.m. / 1 p.m.
Brazil vs USA
Lyon
9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
June 22 France vs New Zealand
Paris
9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Japan vs Colombia
St. Etienne 9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
June 23 Brazil vs. Turkey
St. Etienne 9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
USA vs Cameroon
Lyon
9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
June 26 B #1 vs A #2
Lyon
9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
A #1 vs B #2
Paris
9 p.m. / 3p.m.
June 28 Semifinal losers
St. Etienne 6 p.m. / 12 p.m.
June 29 Semifinal winners
Paris
9 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Group A: France, Japan, Colombia, New Zealand
Group B: Brazil, United States, Cameroon, Turkey
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