The New Zealand national team will warm up for an upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifier by taking on Chivas USA on Saturday at the StubHub Center, the MLS club announced on Wednesday.
The friendly comes during an off weekend for Chivas, who are out of the MLS playoff picture in last place in the Western Conference, before returning to their league schedule for two final regular-season games. New Zealand, the winner of the Oceania Football Confederation's qualifying tournament, will play the fourth-placed team in CONCACAF in a two-legged series, with the winner advancing to the World Cup.
- Get the latest Chivas USA news at ChivasUSA.com
Currently, Panama and Mexico are tied four fourth in CONCACAF pending their upcoming qualifiers this week. The two teams will square off in Mexico's Estadio Azteca on Friday, with Mexico traveling to Costa Rica for the final qualifier on Tuesday while Panama hosts the United States.
A Chivas USA spokesperson also confirmed to MLSsoccer.com that the 2013 Los Angeles Cup, a charity tournament that was to take place on Wednesday and Saturday and feature eight teams including New Zealand, Chivas USA and teams from the Liga MX, had been canceled.
