US soccer announced on Tuesday that assistant coach Dave Sarachan and the remainder of the current technical staff will coach the US national team for their final match of 2017, a friendly against third-ranked Portugal on Nov. 14 in Leiria’s Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa (2:45 pm ET; FS1, Univision).
The USMNT, fresh off a heartbreaking end to World Cup qualifying and the resignation of head coach Bruce Arena, will face Portugal for the seventh time, making their first visit there since 1990. Dating back to 1978, the teams have split the all-time series 2-2-2. Two of those matchups were at the World Cup, including a famous 3-2 win during the USMNT’s run to the 2002 quarterfinals under Arena and, most recently, a 2-2 draw at Brazil 2014.
Sarachan was a longtime assistant under Arena for the LA Galaxy before moving over with him to the US national team last year. US soccer president Sunil Gulati had previously said he would hire a “caretaker manager” before deciding on a permanent choice to lead the team forward.
Led by 2016 FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal advanced to the 2018 FIFA World Cup by finishing atop Group B in UEFA qualifying.
Originally set to be played at Estádio Algarve in Faro, the host federation elected to move the match to Leiria, near the area that has been affected by wildfires that claimed the lives of 37 people earlier this year. All proceeds from the match, as well as Portugal’s friendly against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 10, will go to benefit those affected.
