Argentina-US Likely At Meadowlands
NEW YORK (AP) — The March 26 exhibition game between Argentina and the United States will likely be held at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.
The Argentina Football Association had announced the exhibition would be played at Seattle, but the sides instead decided on the Meadowlands and are in the late stages of negotiating a contract, the person said on condition of anonymity because negotiations are not yet complete.
Led by Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, the Albiceleste are a top attraction. In 2008, the U.S. and Argentina played a 0-0 tie before 78,682 at old Giants Stadium in East Rutherford.
In the Americans' first match at the $1.6 billion New Meadowlands, they lost to Brazil 2-0 in August in front of a crowd of 77,223.
The U.S. is getting ready for June's CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean. The Americans play Chile on Jan. 22 at Carson, Calif., with a young roster, then will call in veterans for a Feb. 9 exhibition against Egypt in Cairo.
Argentina, preparing to host this summer's Copa America, also plays Portugal on Feb. 9 in Geneva and at Costa Rica on March 29, a match that will inaugurate a new 35,000-seat stadium in San Jose.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
