Germany's soccer federation (DFB) announced the game nine months ago for Dortmund, but the U.S. Soccer Federation wouldn't confirm the game until Wednesday, after the contract was signed last weekend.

"As we experienced in the preparation for the 2002 World Cup, the chance to play in the host country before the tournament will be an invaluable experience for our team," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena, whose team played at South Korea in December 2001.

Arena's first win as U.S. coach was 3-0 over Germany in an exhibition on Feb. 6, 1999, at Jacksonville, Florida. In the last meeting between the teams, the Germans won 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.

The Americans open their 2006 schedule on Jan. 22 against Canada at San Diego, play Norway seven days later at Carson, California, then face Japan on Feb. 10 at San Francisco. They plan to play Feb. 19, likely against Guatemala at Frisco, Texas, and are looking to find a nation to play in Europe on March 1.

They also are trying to schedule several exhibition games at home in late May. At the World Cup, the United States opens June 12 against the Czech Republic at Gelsenkirchen, plays Italy five days later at Kaiserslautern and closes the first round June 22 against Ghana at Nuremberg.