Columbus to host USMNT vs. El Salvador World Cup qualifier

For the second time this World Cup qualifying cycle, the U.S. men's national team will be coming to Columbus.

The Columbus Crew confirmed that Lower.com Field will host the USMNT vs. El Salvador match on Jan. 27, 2022.

Through eight of 14 games in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, the USMNT is in second place with 15 points — one point behind leader Canada and one point ahead of Mexico and Panama.

The top three teams in CONCACAF will qualify for the World Cup that starts Nov. 21, 2022, in Qatar. The fourth-place team will play an intercontinental onegame playoff against a yet-to-be-known opponent for a spot in the field of 32.

The match against El Salvador will be the 14th time the USMNT has played in Columbus.

The city, regarded as the spiritual home of the USMNT, played host to a crucial game against Costa Rica earlier this year, which coach Gregg Berhalter's squad won 2-1. The U.S. is 8-1-2 all-time in World Cup qualifying games at Crew Stadium and Lower.com Field.

The U.S. is coming off a win in Cincinnati against Mexico and a draw at Jamaica in the last qualifying window. After facing El Salvador, the Americans will play a road game against Canada on Jan. 30 and host Honduras on Feb. 2. jmyers@dispatch.com @_jcmyers

COLUMBUS DISPATCH The United States beat Costa Rica 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier at Lower.com Field on Oct. 13. El Salvador will play there on Jan. 27.