Soccer: All Whites to play Mexico in Denver

The All Whites soccer team will face Mexico in Denver, Colorado on June 1. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The All Whites soccer team will face Mexico at altitude in a friendly game in Denver, Colorado on June 1.

New Zealand lost to Mexico 2-0 in March 2010 in Los Angeles in front of 90,000 fans as part of both teams buildup to the world cup in South Africa.

Coach Ricki Herbert is expecting an intimidating environment at the 76,000 seat Denver stadium.

"There'll be very little neutral about the venue.

"We could be back in this part of the world in 2013 trying to take that last step to Brazil so we want another taste of that type of intimidating environment."

In July, FIFA will hold a draw to determine whether the winner of New Zealand's Oceania group will play off against Asian, North American or South American opposition over two legs for a place in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Denver is 1610m above sea level.

- NZPA