Soccer
The U.S. women’s national team’s spring schedule is taking shape.
Japan will oppose the USWNT for three April friendlies, U.S. Soccer announced Saturday. All three matches will take place at MLS and NWSL venues as Emma Hayes’ squad continues their preparation for the CONCACAF W Championship later this year.
PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. will host the first USWNT-Japan showdown on April 11 before Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash. hosts the second match on April 14. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. will play host to the third and final matchup on April 17.
“Japan is one of the best teams in the world,” said Hayes. “I’m a big admirer of how they play and I have tremendous respect for their team and identity. They are a highly experienced group and are fully committed to their style of football. Playing the same opponent three times is unusual but it presents a great challenge and a chance to test ourselves against a top-quality opponent.”
The USWNT-Japan rivalry dates back to 1986 with the Americans claiming 32 victories in 42 all-time meetings. In addition to meeting in several Women’s World Cups, the programs have also square off in multiple Olympic Games.
It will mark a showdown between two of the nation’s top teams with the USWNT currently ranked No. 2 and Japan ranked No. 8.
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