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The U.S. men's national team's quest to qualify for the 2014 World Cup will begin at home.
CONCACAF released the schedule for the third round of World Cup qualifying, and the United States will open its campaign in Group A with a home game against Antigua & Barbuda on June 8, 2012.
The Americans follow that up with respective road matches versus Guatemala and Jamaica on June 12 and Sept. 7, before hosting the Jamaicans on Sept. 11. The United States closes out the third round of qualifying with an Oct. 12 visit to Antigua & Barbuda and a home game against Guatemala on Oct. 16.
Other notable matches include El Salvador's visit to Mexico on the final round of fixtures, while Honduras and Panama square off against one another on the opening date. Canada begins the third round with a road game against Cuba.
Here's the full third-round schedule:
SCHEDULE OF MATCHES
(home team listed first)
MATCHDAY 1
Friday, June 8, 2012
Group A
United States vs. Antigua & Barbuda
Jamaica vs. Guatemala
Group B
Mexico vs. Guyana
Costa Rica vs. El Salvador
Group C
Honduras vs. Panama
Cuba vs. Canada
MATCHDAY 2
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Group A
Guatemala vs. United States
Antigua & Barbuda vs. Jamaica
Group B
El Salvador vs. Mexico
Guyana vs. Costa Rica
Group C
Canada vs. Honduras
Panama vs. Cuba
MATCHDAY 3
Friday, September 7, 2012
Group A
Jamaica vs. United States
Guatemala vs. Antigua & Barbuda
Group B
Costa Rica vs. Mexico
El Salvador vs. Guyana
Group C
Cuba vs. Honduras
Canada vs. Panama
MATCHDAY 4
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Group A
United States vs. Jamaica
Antigua and Barbuda vs. Guatemala
Group B
Mexico vs. Costa Rica
Guyana vs. El Salvador
Group C
Honduras vs. Cuba
Panama vs. Canada
MATCHDAY 5
Friday, October 12, 2012
Group A
Guatemala vs. Jamaica
Antigua & Barbuda vs. United States
Group B
El Salvador vs. Costa Rica
Guyana vs. Mexico
Group C
Canada vs. Cuba
Panama vs. Honduras
MATCHDAY 6
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Group A
United States vs. Guatemala
Jamaica vs. Antigua & Barbuda
Group B
Mexico vs. El Salvador
Costa Rica vs. Guyana
Group C
Honduras vs. Canada
Cuba vs. Panama
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What do you think of the United States' schedule? Which stretch of games do you consider the hardest? Where would you like to see the home games played?
Share your thoughts below.
