U.S. to play World Cup-bound Slovakia for the first time

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There will be a new opponent in the record books come November because U.S. Soccer today announced that it had added a game against Slovakia to the national team’s European itinerary.

The Americans’ first match against the Slovaks will be Nov. 14 in Bratislava, just four days before Coach Bob Bradley’s side plays Denmark, another 2010 World Cup team, in Aarhus, Denmark.

‘With so few available dates for international matches between now and the World Cup, having the chance to play two fellow World Cup finalists is a big plus in terms of our preparations,’ Bradley said.

Slovakia qualified for the June 11-July 11 World Cup by finishing atop a group that featured Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Poland and San Marino.

Television details for the Slovakia and Denmark games have yet to be finalized.

--Grahame L. Jones