Australia eye US, Mexico friendlies

SYDNEY, Mar 4 (Reuters) Australia hope to add friendlies against the United States and Mexico to their busy playing schedule for 2007.

The Socceroos plan to play Mexico on Sepember 9 then the United States three days later as part of a short North American tour.

''We have been in discussions and it is on the agenda,'' U.S.

Soccer spokesman Jim Moorhouse told The Sun-Herald.

''We haven't locked anything into place yet but we have been talking about a game with Australia after our main summer schedule.

''There are FIFA dates in September and they fit in well after our summer schedule.'' Australia, who reached the last 16 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, already have a hectic programme in place for this year.

The Socceroos are due to play away in China and Saudi Arabia later this month as well as hosting Uruguay and Argentina in June.

Australia are one of the favourites for this year's Asian Cup, which is being co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in July.

REUTERS SSC RN1432