US left back Heath Pearce is looking forward to next Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland in Basel, calling it another chance for the national team to increase their before World Cup qualifying begins.

Nati - as they are known back home - won Group G ahead of rivals France at World Cup 2006 and were eliminated in the second round as the only team in the tournament not to concede a goal.

"I think that Switzerland had really proven themselves to be a strong nation over the last few years," Pearce told American Soccer Daily before heading off to camp in Yverdon-les-Bains on Tuesday.

"It will be a great game for us to continue to mold and grow as a team, as well as benefit from playing a Euro team with a full squad in Europe."

The Alpine nation are exempt from participating in Euro 2008 qualifiers as one of two host countries with an automatic berth, but should come to St. Jakob Park next week with most of the A-squad.

Though Borussia Dortmund strike ace Alexander Frei was pulled from the roster for the match, Swiss manager Köbi Kuhn will still have FC Basel star Marco Streller and FC Twente hit man Blaise N'Kufo to play up front.