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The U.S. Soccer Federation is finalizing plans for the men's national team to play World Cup rival Ghana on Oct. 11 in Washington, D.C., multiple sources told ESPN FC. The friendly at RFK Stadium would come four days after another exhibition for Jurgen Klinsmann's U.S. team, which takes on Cuba in Havana on Oct. 7. Ghana and the United States have faced off in each of the last three World Cups. The Black Stars beat the Americans in both squads' final group match at Germany 2006, a loss that prevented the U.S. from moving on to the second round. Ghana again eliminated the Yanks four years later in South Africa, this time with a 2-1, extra-time victory in the round of 16. The U.S. exacted a measure of revenge the last meeting between the sides, however, when second-half substitute John Brooks' memorable late winner sealed all three points in the first round opener in 2014 in Brazil. That victory helped the Americans advance to the knockout stage, where they were knocked out by Belgium. "We're working on a second October game," U.S. Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe confirmed to ESPNFC.com on Monday. "But nothing has been finalized yet." The two countries have never met outside of World Cup play. There were negotiations to have the teams play in a friendly last year before those plans fell though. Ghana is ranked 36th in the world, according to FIFA. The Black Stars kick off the third round of regional qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia against Uganda on Oct. 3. The No. 25 U.S., which finished fourth at the Copa America Centenario in June, resumes its own qualifying slate Sept. 3 at St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
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