US, Australia book final World Cup tuneup in June

The US-Australia match at Roodepoort, South Africa, comes one week before the Americans open in Group C on June 12 against England at Rustenberg and eight days before the Socceroos play Germany in Group D in Durban.

“The match against Australia gives us a great opportunity to give the team a challenge a week before our opening match,” US coach Bob Bradley said. “Australia demonstrated in 2006 (they went out to eventual champions Italy in the last 16) that they’re a team capable of competing at the World Cup.

“A match against a quality opponent on South African soil at that point in our preparations will help our readiness for the game against England.”

Australia drew with Japan and beat Croatia in the first round in 2006 to advance to the knockout stages, where they were beaten by a controversial penalty by the Italians. The Americans went out in the group stage.

The Americans have never beaten the Australians, drawing 0-0 in 1998 at San Diego and losing 1-0 at Orlando, Florida, in 1992.

The US-Australia match could be repeated in the round of 16 at the World Cup since winners and runner-ups from groups C and D play each other in the round of 16.

The Aussies also have Serbia and Ghana in Group D. The Americans will also face Slovenia and Algeria in Group C first-round matches.

Australia were unbeaten in Asian qualifying winning six and drawing two matches, conceding just one goal.

The Americans edged Mexico to top the table in North American final-round World Cup qualifying. They also have warm-up matches at home against the Czech Republic on May 25 and Turkey on May 29 before leaving for South Africa.