The U.S. men's national team's final preparations for World Cup qualifying will begin in January with a pair of friendlies against Venezuela and Panama, U.S. Soccer announced on Thursday. The United States will open its 2012 schedule on Jan. 21 at 9pm ET with a friendly at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Four days later, the Americans travel to Panama City to take on Panama in the first-ever friendly between the sides. The two friendlies do not fall on international fixture dates, meaning the teams will largely be made up of domestic-based players. Unlike the last few years, the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. was not selected as a venue for a January friendly. Source: Soccer By Ives
