The United States and Venezuela last met on May 26th, 2006 in a friendly that was part of the send-off series for that summer's World Cup. Playing at Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Brian Ching and Clint Dempsey scored in a 2-0 USA win with Tim Howard recording the shutout. This was also the game where Michael Bradley made his debut, coming on as an 89th minute substitute.
The history prior to that game is brief. The two teams played a March 29th, 2003 friendly in Seattle that also ended with a 2-0 USA win. Jovan Kirovski scored the opener before making way for substitute Landon Donovan who got the second goal, the eighth of his National Team career. Kasey Keller picked up the shutout. Showing no signs of the big crowds that would later come out in support of the Seattle Sounders, only 17,819 were in attendance at what is now known as CenturyLink Field.
In 1993, the two teams played each other for the first time. This was also the only game in the series history that wasn't a friendly, a 3-3 draw at the Copa America. Playing in Quito, Ecuador on June 22nd, the US took a 3-0 lead with goals from Chris Henderson (20th minute), Alexi Lalas (37th), and Dominic Kinnear (51st). Venezuela started an unlikely comeback in the 68th minute, scoring again in the 80th and 89th minutes. The result didn't help either team, with both failing to advance out of Group A and the USA finishing last in the group with one point.
The USA lineup for that game was Brad Friedel, Cle Kooiman, Fernando Clavijo, Kinnear, John Doyle, Paul Caligiuri, Peter Vermes, Lalas, Cobi Jones, Henderson, and Tab Ramos. Jean Harbor subbed in for Kinnear and Bruce Murray came on for Jones.
