Tampa, Fl. - The U.S. Soccer team is preparing to play in a World Cup qualifying game Friday night.
The team takes on Antigua and Barbuda at Raymond James Stadium.Five years ago, the men's National team played before 31,000 at the stadium. This is the first Cup qualifier, in Florida, in over 30 years. The last time it was here, USA defeated Mexico, 2 to 1 in 1980.
Friday's game kicks off a 16 game qualifying run for the 2014 World Cup.The U.S. will be attempting to qualify for its 7th straight FIFA World Cup. The men's public training session Thursday night was cancelled because of the rain.
But players say they are focused. Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann says the guys are very positive and all they have to do is keep their hunger.
"The end of the day you want to get to a World Cup. It's where you really measure yourself down the road. So, it's going to be tricky, but we gotta get the job done."
Klinsmann and the players know every point in the standings and every goal tonight and in the next 16-games could be the difference. They say they'll try to win every game and score as many goals as they can.
The game is at 7:00 Friday night. Again, the men take on Antigua and Barbuda.
More than 20,000 tickets have already been sold, but there are still some available.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for Rio de Janeiro.