The NFL released their 2014 schedule today and for rugby fans that meant an answer on whether Solider Field would be available for a potential U.S.-New Zealand match on November 1st. Good news. The Chicago Bears have a bye week on the weekend and hence will not have a conflict. The U.S.-New Zealand match is not confirmed but is understood to be nearly completed. The New Zealand Rugby Union has been a big proponent of the match while U.S.A. Rugby is on board if the All Blacks play the Eagles. It looks like that will happen but the U.S. still has yet to secure player releases for their top players. The potential fixture falls outside the Autumn International test window.