Venues announced for U.S.’s final four World Cup Qualifiers

No surprises here. U.S. Soccer announced the venues for the Men’s National Team’s final four World Cup qualifiers, and they’re right where was expected them.

On Friday, the U.S. begins the home portion of final round qualifying in Denver against Costa Rica. Their next home qualifier is June 11 in Seattle against Panama. The team hosts Honduras seven days later in Sandy, UT, while the quadrennial qualifier against Mexico in Columbus takes place Sept. 10. Sporting Park hosts the team’s final home qualifier on Oct. 11 against Jamaica.

“We are really excited about the venues we have selected for our home World Cup qualifiers,” U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said via a federation release. “Winning your games at home is crucial, and we know that at each of these stadiums we will get amazing support from the fans. There are so many great facilities in this country, and to be able to play in this many soccer specific stadiums in MLS cities shows how far this sport has come.”

These venue announcements expected ever since SI.com’s Grant Wahl reported the potential schedule earlier this winter. The atmosphere at CenturyLink Field made Seattle an attractive venue despite the city not hosting a World Cup qualifier in 35 years. Booking Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium for the venue’s second ever qualifier follows the same line of thinking that placed the Costa Rica game in Colorado. The Columbus match will mark the fourth straight cycle El Tri has had to venture to Columbus, while for the second straight round, Sporting Park will host the final home match.

Along with announcing the qualifying venues, U.S. Soccer also confirmed the men’s anticipated summer friendly against Germany. The States will host Klinsmann’s former team in a Centennial Celebration Match at Washington, D.C.’s RFK Stadium on June 2.