Scotland to face USA at Hampden in November

Scotland will take on the United States in a Hampden friendly on Friday, 15 November, the Scottish Football Association have confirmed.
Gordon Strachan: Encouraged. Picture: SNSGordon Strachan: Encouraged. Picture: SNS
Gordon Strachan: Encouraged. Picture: SNS

The fixture will be the last at the National Stadium before it is closed for redevelopment ahead of the Commonwealth Games, which are being staged in Glasgow next summer.

The match gives the team the chance to gain revenge for the 5-1 mauling handed to them by Jurgen Klinsmann’s side in Jacksonville, Florida, last year. Former manager Craig Levin was in charge for that humiliating display but he has since been replaced by Gordon Strachan and the Hampden meeting will act as the former Celtic manager’s latest chance to shape his side ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying campaign.

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Scotland have already seen their hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Brazil dashed by a series of poor results in the early part of the current qualification schedule but they have bounced back with recent victories over Croatia and Macedonia. The US, meanwhile, have already booked their place in next summer’s finals.

Strachan said: “While it would be great to be preparing for the World Cup in Brazil, or taking part in the play-offs, this match will give us another opportunity to maintain the momentum.

“I have been greatly encouraged by the improvement shown by the squad in recent months and by the unwavering support of our excellent fans. I am sure both the players and the Scotland supporters will look forward to the opportunity to finish the year positively.”

The friendly will be the seventh time the two teams have met at full international level, with Scotland winning twice (1952 and 1992), USA winning twice (1996 and 2012) and two matches ending in a draw (1998 and 2005).

Klinsmann added: “The game against Scotland is crucial for us because we have so few games between now and when we name the roster for the FIFA World Cup.”

The SFA say they also hope to announce plans for an away friendly – scheduled for Tuesday, November 19 – in due course.