Ireland to play Ecuador and Bolivia in May

**Metrostars** · 05/01/2007, 1:42 AM

So says the official website of the FEF - Federaci�n Ecuatoriana de F�tbol:

Guayaquil, enero 2).- La selecci�n ecuatoriana de f�tbol jugar� siete partidos amistosos antes de la realizaci�n de la Copa Am�rica de Venezuela, ante sus similares de Suecia en dos ocasiones, Estados Unidos, M�xico, Irlanda, Bolivia y Per�.
...
Frente a Irlanda:
23 de mayo en Nueva York

http://www.ecuafutbol.org/UI/detalle...d=9016&tabla=N

If this is true and given Ireland has no June Euro qualifiers like other teams, we probably will play a couple other teams in the US at the same time.

**Dodge** · 05/01/2007, 2:37 AM

Makes sense with no home friendlies

**YankExile** · 05/01/2007, 3:06 AM

On a silly whim, I ran this through Babelfish:

Guayaquil, January 2). - The Ecuadorian selection of soccer will play seven friendly parties before the accomplishment of the America Glass of Venezuela, before its similars of Sweden in two occasions, the United States, Mexico, Ireland, Bolivia and Peru... In front of Ireland: 23 of May in New York

**SaucyJack** · 05/01/2007, 12:28 PM

Frente a Irlanda:
23 de mayo en Nueva York

do they mean the Meadowlands in New Jersey?....cause I don't recall any internationals taking place in the greater NY area....curious to see where in New York this match would take place.

**Metrostars** · 05/01/2007, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by SaucyJack

Frente a Irlanda:
23 de mayo en Nueva York

do they mean the Meadowlands in New Jersey?....cause I don't recall any internationals taking place in the greater NY area....curious to see where in New York this match would take place.

Yes that would be Giants Stadium. The NY Red Bulls are building a new 25000 seater stadium a few miles away from GS in Harrison(next to Newark) but it wont be ready until next year.

**bwagner** · 05/01/2007, 12:43 PM

Guys its also confirmed on the fifa website , why is fai the last to post fixtures.
Iam very happy about this , we will probably play the states or Mexico I reckon, there is bound to be more than one game as the travelling

**drummerboy** · 05/01/2007, 12:52 PM

The FAI announced on the Radio 1 lunchtime news that we are to play Norway away. They said they were negotiating other fixtures but didn't mention anything about Ecudor. Opps my mind is going according to post below its Denmark.

**Metrostars** · 05/01/2007, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by bwagner

Guys its also confirmed on the fifa website , why is fai the last to post fixtures.
Iam very happy about this , we will probably play the states or Mexico I reckon, there is bound to be more than one game as the travelling

The US and Mexico both have international competitions in June(Concacaf Gold Cup) and July(Copa America) so they both will be needing friendlies to prepare. Also, Mexico actually plays more friendlies in the US than in Mexico but usually in LA or Houston. But there are usually a good few internationals that time of year around the US mainly between countries from South America. Canada could also be a possibility.

**DeNiro** · 05/01/2007, 1:00 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

The FAI announced on the Radio 1 lunchtime news that we are to play Norway away. They said they were negotiating other fixtures but didn't mention anything about Ecudor. Opps my mind is going according to post below its Denmark.

Yeh, it's Denmark. 22 August. That should be a useful run out.

**NY Hoop** · 05/01/2007, 1:21 PM

http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/fixtures...-IRL-F,00.html

KOH

**theworm2345** · 06/01/2007, 9:06 PM

I'll be there as long as I can get out of the last period in school

P.S.
How about another international here in Chicago?

**Chicago AOH** · 07/01/2007, 7:34 AM

If Ireland were gonna play a game at Soldier Field or at Toyota park, they should play Poland to get a full house...
Northern Ireland played last summer too against Romania. Not sure what the gate was though...

Whatever happened to the US Nike Cup?

**Paddy Garcia** · 07/01/2007, 4:08 PM

[QUOTE=theworm2345;599664]I'll be there as long as I can get out of the last period in school
[QUOTE]

No worries, I'll write you a note.

**Fergie's Son** · 07/01/2007, 6:23 PM

I can pick you up as well Worm as I am in Chicago. Would rather see the match at Toyota Park as it's a better football venue than Soldier Field.

**theworm2345** · 07/01/2007, 11:55 PM

I'd say Soldier Field simply because its bigger and the 1 Fire game I ever bothered going to had a decent atmosphere (for an MLS game), though I've never been to Toyota Park

**bwagner** · 08/01/2007, 7:11 AM

As we are going to the states that clueless fool stan should have a look at this joe lapira kid, why not , he is very keen to play for Ireland. I t cant hurt.

**Dotsy** · 08/01/2007, 10:34 AM

According to the Irish Times the Bolivian FA are saying they will play Ireland in May in Boston.

**cclinton** · 08/01/2007, 3:17 PM

Originally Posted by bwagner

As we are going to the states that clueless fool stan should have a look at this joe lapira kid, why not , he is very keen to play for Ireland. I t cant hurt.

How do you define "have a look" in this instance?

US College soccer is at best at the level of a high level regional league such as the LSL, and not anyway near as physical. It has little revelance to the professional game, given some of the different rules and the length of the competitive season. By his own admission this kid never set things alight on his prior teams. But ok, he might be a late developer and it would be a shame to miss out if he did eventually turn into another Brian McBride. I'd be interested in the context of how Stan could possibly "have a look" in this case.

**Metrostars** · 08/01/2007, 4:56 PM

Originally Posted by cclinton

How do you define "have a look" in this instance?

US College soccer is at best at the level of a high level regional league such as the LSL, and not anyway near as physical. It has little revelance to the professional game, given some of the different rules and the length of the competitive season. By his own admission this kid never set things alight on his prior teams. But ok, he might be a late developer and it would be a shame to miss out if he did eventually turn into another Brian McBride. I'd be interested in the context of how Stan could possibly "have a look" in this case.

Up until a few years ago, ALL US players came through the college system e.g. Reyna, Freidel, Keller, McBride, Bocanegra, Dempsey, Howard. It is only recently that some players opt out of college and join an MLS or European club e.g. Spector, Beasley, Adu. Some players still come through college but not as many before. The point that I am making is that US College soccer is still quite relavant and still produces some decent players. It's a moot point anyway as I'm sure Stan would never call him up anyway plus he has a higher profile in US soccer circles since his Hermann Trophy win thus leading to a probable call up by the US U-23 side.

**theworm2345** · 08/01/2007, 11:57 PM

I got an email from the FAI saying that the only confirmed match was Denmark.
He said there has been speculation about other possible fixtures though nothing has been finalized
He also said he'd pass on my request for a match in Chicago to the right people