CHICAGO (March 23, 2018) – The U.S. Women’s National Team will face China PR in two summer friendly matches, the first presented by Cutter® Insect Repellent on Thursday, June 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah (7 p.m. MT on FS1) and the second on Tuesday, June 12 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland (7 p.m. ET on ESPN2).
The match at Rio Tinto Stadium will mark the first appearance for the U.S. WNT in Utah since the establishment of the Utah Royals FC, the newest team in the National Women’s Soccer League. Utah and Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake calls Rio Tinto Stadium home.
GAMES FOR THE AGES
The USA played China in two consecutive world finals in the 1990s, winning 2-1 in the 1996 Olympic gold medal game, the first contested in women’s soccer, and then winning the historic penalty kick shootout that decided the 1999 Women’s World Cup. The USA and China have met 56 times, second behind Canada on the list of most common opponent for the U.S. WNT, but the two historic women’s soccer nations have not played since the final game of 2015, a 1-0 loss for the USA in what was legendary striker Abby Wambach’s final game.
That loss at the Superdome in New Orleans, which was the final Victory Tour game during a memorable 2015 for the U.S. Women, ended a 104-match home unbeaten streak dating back to 2004. The USA and China met in the quarterfinal round at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with the Americans emerging with a 1-0 victory on a spectacular header goal from Carli Lloyd.
SAID ELLIS
“Obviously, there’s a great history between the countries and we always enjoy the matches against China,” said U.S. head coach Jill Ellis. “They bring a level of technical skill and tactical savvy that challenges us, which is what we need as we continue to prepare for World Cup qualifying in the fall.”
TICKETS
Tickets for the match in Utah go on sale to the public on Tuesday, April 17, at 10 a.m. MT through ussoccer.com, by phone at 844-REAL-TIX (844-732-5849) (Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT) and at the Rio Tinto Stadium ticket office (open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Tickets for the game in Cleveland go on sale to the public Friday, March 30, at 10 a.m. ET through ussoccer.com and by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the FirstEnergy Stadium ticket office, but only on March 30 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), June 11 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and on the day of the game starting at 9 a.m.
Groups of 20 or more can order for both games directly at ussoccer.com.
Ultimate Fan Tickets (special VIP packages that include a premium ticket, a custom-made official U.S. National Team jersey with name and number, VIP access to the field before and after the game, and other unique benefits) are also available for both games exclusively through ussoccer.com.
Coaches Circle and Presidents Circle members supporting the U.S. Soccer Development Fund can receive individual customer support and concierge services for their ticketing needs. Click here or contact circles@ussoccer.org for more information.
DID YOU KNOW…
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