Sorry, St. Louis. The news that the Bosnia-Herzegovina national soccer team will play its next international friendly against the United States here in River City is probably nothing more than a rumor.
Ever since FIFA designated March 5 for friendly matches between national teams, rumors have swirled in Bosnian media that the Dragons would take on America here in St. Louis.
See also: If We're Such a Soccer Town, Why Doesn't St. Louis Have a Major League Soccer Team?
Those rumors spread to the U.S. when groups were drawn for the 2014 World Cup, soccer's ultimate contest. The U.S. and Bosnia-Herzegovina aren't in the same opening group, so they could possibly be paired in a friendly match scheduled before the big tournament.
The U.S. Soccer team says even if that happens, the game probably won't be in St. Louis.
"Any reports about a possible opponent or location at this point are premature," U.S. soccer spokesman Neil Buethe tells Daily RFT, repeating the vague statement he tells anyone asking about the game. "It is likely the match will be played in Europe. We will begin more in-depth discussions with federations about the March 5 match date in the coming month."
The rumor isn't hard to believe. Bosnia-Herzegovina played a friendly in Busch Stadium last month against Argentina.
See also: St. Louis Flares Up Over Bosnia Soccer Celebrations at Busch Stadium
Playing across the pond makes more sense for the U.S. team, whose top athletes play for European teams and can't make a midweek trek to the Lou. Michael Bradley plays for Roma in Italy, and Jozy Altidore suits up for Sunderland in the Premier League.
Bosnia's team is in the same boat. Standout and St. Louis native Vedad Ibisevic plays in Germany for VfB Stuttgart.
Follow Lindsay Toler on Twitter at @StLouisLindsay. E-mail the author at [email protected].
