Sports

U.S. to host Poland in October soccer friendly

Team USA will host Poland in an international soccer friendly on October 9 in Chicago as the European side prepares to co-host the 2012 European Championships, U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday.

The Americans are 7-7 with two drawn matches against Poland in a rivalry dating back to 1924, with their last clash a 3-0 triumph in 2008 at Krakow.

The Poles, 4-2 with a draw on U.S. soil, drew 1-1 in their last U.S. match in 2004.

Poland, who are co-hosting Euro 2012 with Ukraine, figures to draw strong support from a large Polish community in the “Windy City” of the American Midwest.

“These fixture dates are a fantastic opportunity to have the group together for an extended period and then put the work to the test with a difficult match,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.

“We know this is an important opportunity for Poland as they prepare for the 2012 European Championship, so we expect a challenging game.”

The match will come during a busy late-season weekend for Major League Soccer as well as being well into the start of the European campaigns.

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