Futbol fans of many stripes were thrilled last month when reports broke suggesting that the US national team was arranging an international friendly vs. Colombia, one of the World Cup's most exciting and impressive teams, for Sept. 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Now it seems that this must-see matchup won't happen after all.
Citing anonymous sources with knowledge of the situation, SI.com reported on Tuesday that Colombian officials had reached a verbal agreement with US Soccer, but failed to complete a written contract before Monday, a deadline date for finalizing the details.
A US Soccer spokesperson confirmed to MLSsoccer.com that arrangements had been in place for a match against Colombia. The federation announced earlier Tuesday the rumored Ireland-USMNT friendly set for Dublin on Nov. 18.
The ongoing contract negotiations between incumbent manager Jose Pekerman and the Colombian federation may have played a role in this deal not reaching completion. But in any case, it looks like a missed opportunity for both teams, given that the date in question falls within the FIFA international window, assuring managers of their first-choice callups.
SI.com's Grant Wahl reports that the USMNT, who have already scheduled a visit to the Czech Republic on Sept. 3, are “unlikely” to arrange an alternate friendly in place of the Colombia match.
For their part, Los Cafeteros are already slated to visit the United States during that timeframe, with a friendly against Brazil booked for Miami on Sept. 5.
