After a disappointing end to the 2015 calendar year, the U.S. men's national team returns to the pitch on Sunday to face Iceland.
Direction under Jurgen Klinsmann remains very much a question mark for the Yanks. A fourth-placed finish at the 2015 Gold Cup, coupled with a Confederation Cup playoff loss to Mexico, loudened the cry for his job among American circles. Those cries will only intensify with a poor start to 2016.
As for Iceland, the program couldn't be headed in a better direction.
For the first time in their history, the Strakarnir Okkar qualified for a major tournament. The 2016 Euro Cup awaits them this summer.
A free live stream of the contest can be found here.
Preview
Game Time: 1:45 p.m. PT
Location: StubHub Center
Weather: Thunderstorm, High of 58
Odds, per Oddschecker: USA (13/19) - Draw (29/10) - Iceland (19/4)
TV: ESPN2
Twitter: #USAvISL
What They're Saying
USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann (via MLSsoccer.com): "The approach doesn't change. Our way of guiding the national teams is always helping players wherever we can, explain to them how much we can in order for them to grow, and make them stronger and better every day we work with them. Of course, we need to get the results, and that didn't happen in 2015, because of certain reasons, but then there's always the next opponent."
USA captain Michael Bradley: "On the inside of the group, I think it's always important to maintain a strong mentality and to not let success take you too high and to not let disappointments bring you too low. And I think we're certainly aware that we let ourselves down in some big moments last year, but that's sports. You play big games, you play in moments where everything is on the line, and one team has to lose. That's reality."
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