This U.S. match on the move, next week’s friendly with Ukraine, will certainly provide some logistical headaches for the team administrators. But as to how it will affect Jurgen Klinsmann’s national team in the bigger picture … well, it really shouldn’t.
More or less, the team is switching directions with its charter and swapping out hotels now as the match is moving to Cyprus.
(MORE: U.S.-Ukraine friendly moved to Cyprus)
U.S. Soccer spokesman Michael Kammarman said Tuesday morning from the national team California offices that nothing will change on the roster (as we would have suspected.)
And he said the basic outline of the days ahead remain unchanged:
The team (as yet unannounced – but look for the roster later this week or late this weekend at the latest) reports Sunday to Frankfurt for two days of training. Remember, Klinsmann has already said this will be almost exclusively a European-based roster, as MLS men are prepping for their season openers a few days later. (I do expect one or two exceptions, starting with Clint Dempsey, who is in London anyway.)
Not all the U.S. players will be in Sunday; some, including Jozy Altidore, have Sunday matches with their clubs.
Either way, they will all leave for Cyprus on Tuesday, and then play on Wednesday.
U.S. Soccer has yet to officially announce the venue change, still pending a few important details, such as where in this small island nation (south of Turkey) the match will take place.