New foe found

U.S. adds Venezuela game after Japan cancels

ATLANTA (SI.com) -- The United States men's national team will host Venezuela on March 29 in Seattle after the decision of the Japanese Football Association (JFA) to cancel a two-match U.S. tour.

Under growing pressure from J-League and European clubs, Japan on Friday cancelled two friendlies in the U.S. this month due to the risk of terror attacks in response to the U.S.-led attack on Iraq.

The United States Soccer Federation announced the new opponent later in the day.

JFA chairman Saburo Kawabuchi said he had pulled the plug on the matches against Uruguay in San Diego next Wednesday and the March 29 clash against the U.S. in Seattle after more than a month of soul-searching.

Having had limited time to replace Japan, the United States will face a weaker opponent. FIFA ranks Japan as the 24th-best team in the world, with Venezuela at No. 69. The U.S. is ranked 10th.

The U.S. will play host to Venezuela in the first international soccer match at the new Seattle Seahawks Stadium (1 p.m. PT, live on ESPN2).

"We are certainly disappointed by the decision of the Japanese Football Association," said U.S. Soccer president S. Robert Contiguglia. "We provided their federation with ample evidence of the extensive security measures in place. We continue to have every confidence that Seattle will provide a safe environment for the players and fans to enjoy an outstanding display of soccer.

"Sporting events around the country remain on schedule, and we look forward to welcoming Venezuela to Seattle."

The United States and Venezuela have met only once before, with the teams battling to a 3-3 draw in the Copa America in 1993. The Venezuelans collected five victories in 2002 World Cup qualifying, including four of their last five matches, marking the most wins ever in their qualifying history.

"We're excited that Venezuela has accepted the invitation to play us," said U.S. manager Bruce Arena, who called in 10 players from the 2002 World Cup team for training camp beginning Monday in Portland. "Over the past two or three years, the Venezuelan national team has made great strides, and I think they are perhaps the most improved team in South America. We are certainly looking forward to the challenge."

Tickets for the U.S.-Japan match will be valid for the game against Venezuela. Fans wishing to obtain a refund must make their cancellation by March 28.

The United States is continuing preparation for participation in two major tournaments this summer. In June the U.S. will square off against Brazil, Cameroon and Turkey in the FIFA Confederations Cup from June 18-29 in France, and will defend its confederation championship in the CONCACAF Gold Cup to be held from July 12-23 in Boston, Miami and Mexico City.

The U.S. is slated to face Mexico on May 8 at Reliant Field in Houston and will host Paraguay on July 6 at Columbus Crew Stadium.

Safety first

"Since the war actually started [on Thursday] the clubs and players themselves have basically been against going," Kawabuchi told reporters.

"We have decided to cancel the trip based not on the safety of the players once in the U.S. but on the possible risks of air travel under the current circumstances."

He added: "The Japanese government advised us not to go as there is no way to say for sure that there is zero risk involved. The safety of the players is our main concern."

U.S. President George Bush had even given his assurance that the Japan squad would receive maximum security, Kawabuchi said.

However, Major League Baseball cancelled its season-opening series between the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics in Tokyo two days ago, fuelling speculation that the JFA would, ultimately, follow suit.

Kawabuchi said that the JFA had received faxes and phone calls from clubs -- many from Europe -- concerned about the risks of Japan playing in the U.S., currently on a heightened terror alert.

Seven of the 23-man squad selected by Japan coach Zico play in Europe, including Hidetoshi Nakata (Parma), Shunsuke Nakamura (Reggina) and Naohiro Takahara (Hamburg).

Club pressure

"Parma and Reggina wrote to us asking not to go and Hamburg contacted us by phone," said Kawabuchi.

"We had hoped the war would not begin until the end of March and we wanted to make sure security was as tight as possible, so we put off this decision until the last moment. But the time limit is now up."

The Japan squad were scheduled to leave for Los Angeles on Sunday following a month of indecision prompted by the threat of a U.S.-led strike on Baghdad.

The JFA initially scrapped the two friendlies in mid-February, only to back-peddle after pressure from the United States Soccer Federation.

"I know Zico will be disappointed and we will be doing our utmost to line up replacement opposition. But the sense of unease among the players and clubs now the war has begun is obvious," Kawabuchi said.

Defenders Ryuzo Morioka and Naoki Matsuda had been among the most vocal Japan players arguing against making the trip to the U.S.

"The war just started without us knowing the wrongs and rights. As part of the squad it's difficult to say, but I don't think we should be going," said Morioka.

JFA officials now look set to invite Uruguay to play in Japan at the end of March as a part of a backup plan.

If successfully arranged, Kawabuchi stressed that the JFA would want the same squad of players involved, raising the prospect of further complaints from European club managers.

 

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Reuters contributed to this report.