The January friendlies are usually for the hardest of die hards. Being held outside of a FIFA sanctioned window means that player pool is reduced for both sides, and tonight's game isn't against the highest profile of opponents. Venezuela is decent, currently ranked 31st and slightly ahead of the United States by ESPN's Soccer Power Index.
For Seattle Sounders fans, and MLS fans in general, this is an opportunity for a small handful of players to take that step from fringes and get into the regular call. Both Brad Evans and Jeff Parke were on the fringe of the fringe, being called in only as replacements, but with health and other issues Jurgen Klinsmann is likely to give both of them playing time.
Tonight's match is at 6PM Pacific on ESPN3.com (or which ever name it goes by this month) and Galavision if your cable/dish provider carry that station. The biggest question that could be answered in these next two games will be who can score goals, something distinctly lacking when Donovan and Dempsey aren't in Red, White and Blue.