August 08, 2014
The US Men’s National Volleyball Team will host Iran for four matches around Southern California starting Saturday.
The matches are intended to help both teams prepare for the 2014 FIVB Men’s World Championship to be held in Poland during September.
The US team recently finished first in the 2014 FIVB World League, while Iran finished fourth, making it the most successful Asian team in the competition.
The US men will likely be looking for a measure of revenge against Iran after losing to the Asian champions at the 2013 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup last November.
The two teams will play:
• Saturday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m., at the Galen Center, University of Southern California.
• Wednesday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m., at the Anaheim Convention Center.
• Friday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m., at San Diego State University.
• Saturday, Aug. 16, 6 p.m., at a site yet to be determined. A water main break literally washed out the planned site.
US Men’s Head Coach John Speraw said of Iran, “We are in their pool at the World Championships this fall in Poland and we’ll use these matches to figure them out.” Which is probably what Iran’s coach is thinking, too.
The United States has a 2-1 record against Iran since 1980. The two countries will face each other in Pool D in the 2014 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
