The United States men’s national soccer team will warm up for its biggest tournament of the year with games against teams it isn’t likely to face during the heat of competition.
The U.S. Soccer Federation announced Tuesday on its website that Team USA will play Ecuador and Bolovia as its final preparation games for the 2016 Copa America, which takes place in June and July in the United States.
Team USA will face Ecuador on May 25 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, and Bolivia on May 28, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.
Copa America begins on June 3 when the United States takes on Colombia. The United States will play Costa Rica and Paraguay in Group A.
Ecuador is in Group B, along with Brazil, Haiti and Peru.
Bolivia is in Group D, accompanied by Chile, Argentina and Panama.
The United States could face Ecuador or Bolivia in the knockout rounds, but that scenario appears unlikely, given the teams’ respective draws.
Thumbnail photo via Trevor Ruszkowski/USA TODAY Sports Images
