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The U.S. men's soccer team will play an exhibition against Wales at Cardiff on March 30. The game announced Friday will follow a friendly against the Netherlands at Eindhoven on March 26. "One of the important parts of continuing to develop this group is the opportunity to play against high-level opponents away from home," U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter said in a team release. "The Netherlands is a soccer powerhouse featuring some of the world's best talent. This game will be a good chance to compete as we build toward important competitions in the summer and fall." The U.S. and Wales have squared off just once previously, with the U.S. claiming a 2-0 win at San Jose's Spartan Stadium in May of 2003 with goals from Landon Donovan and Eddie Lewis. Wales, managed by former Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs and led by Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, have made considerable progress since then, having reached the semifinals of Euro 2016. The Welsh are now making preparations for this summer's Euro 2020, having qualified by finishing second to Croatia in Group E. The Americans will play their 2020 opener against Costa Rica on Feb. 1 at Carson, California, using a roster of players mostly from Major League Soccer. The matches in Europe are on FIFA dates, allowing coach Gregg Berhalter to pick from the full player pool. The U.S. is looking ahead to the semifinals of the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League, in which it will face Honduras in June. The Americans are also slated to begin World Cup qualifying in September. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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