WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. men's national team will play against 16th-ranked Colombia in Tampa, Florida on Oct. 11, the US soccer association confirmed on Friday.

The match is one of the six-match "Kickoff Series" scheduled for the U.S. team in the rest of 2018 as the team, who missed the World Cup in Russia, begins a new four-year journey.

"As we continue to build into the next cycle, this will be another important experience for the development of this group," U.S. coach Dave Sarachan said. "When you talk about exciting, technical and experienced opponents, Colombia ticks all the boxes. With players at some of the top clubs around the world, they are fast, physical and skillful. Tampa has been a great host to our national teams, and I know they will come out and show their support in October."

The U.S. team will face five top-20 opponents in the series, namely Brazil, England, Italy, Mexico and Colombia.

The "Kickoff Series" is intended to test the young team early on in the new cycle, with an eye on 2022 World Cup qualifying. Enditem