[WORLD CUP 2010 COUNTDOWN] The USA will begin its preparations for the 2010 World Cup finals on the road with a game against  Denmark on Nov. 18, at NRGi Park in Aarhus, Denmark.

Nov. 18 is the final day of World Cup qualifying for six playoff series. Playing in Europe -- a match is also expected to be arranged at a European location for Nov. 14 -- will allow Coach Bob Bradley to get a look at his European-based players. The match is also five days before MLS Cup 2009, so players on the competing finalists will likely be unavailable.

"Having qualified for the World Cup, our focus is now on continuing to improve as a team as we build toward next summer," said Bradley. "Denmark is a very strong opponent. They proved their quality throughout the qualifying campaign, and this match provides another great opportunity to face quality opposition in a road environment."
 
The Danes have been frequent winter guests of the USA but they have never hosted the Americans. The match will be the USA's first on European soil since facing Spain in Santander on June 4, 2008.
 
Coached by former Danish international standout Morten Olsen, Denmark wrapped up first place in Europe's Group 1 on Saturday with a 1-0 home victory over Sweden.
 
The 21,000-seat NRGi Park is the home of AGF Aarhus of the Danish Superliga, U.S. midfielder Benny Feilhaber's club. The multipurpose venue seats  and there is a running track that surrounds the headed grass field.