Firsts aren’t unprecedented feats for the U.S. Women’s National Team. However, two international friendlies matches in April will add another accolade to the women’s team; the USWNT will play in its first-ever match against Uzbekistan.
The USWNT will travel to Columbus, OH, then Chester, PA, to compete against 48th ranked Uzbekistan. The first match is set for Saturday, April 9, at the newly built Lower.Com Field in Columbus. This will be the first time the USWNT will visit the new venue in Columbus since its opening in 2021. Lower.Com Field hosted a World Cup qualifier for the U.S. Men’s National Team in January. The match at Subaru Park will be the USWNT’s eighth visit to Chester, PA.
Match Information
Game 1: Saturday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m. (ET)
Location: Lower.Com Field in Columbus, Ohio
Game 2: Tuesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. (ET)
Location: Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania
Though these upcoming games will become the USWNT’s 55th all-time opponent, the U.S. wasn’t initially slated to play Uzbekistan – supposedly. The USWNT was rumored to play the mini-tour against a different higher-ranking opponent from East Asia, but the team pulled out earlier in the year. With little to no time available, the USWNT needed to find a replacement quickly.
The international friendlies match includes a 23-player roster. With a roster comprised of three goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders, and five forwards, the team is experienced and ready to succeed. Of the entire roster, twenty-one athletes currently play in the National Women’s Soccer, with two in Europe. Eighteen players will suit up for each of the two matches.
The international friendlies matches will help the U.S. prepare its journey for World Cup and Olympics qualifications in July.
“We have four games left before World Cup and Olympic qualifying, and it’s up to the players and staff to maximize every minute we get together on the field and in the meeting room,” said U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Vlatko Andonovski.
As a team ranked No. 1, the USWNT is a strong contender in its upcoming matches.
What We Know About Uzbekistan
Similar to the USWNT, Uzbekistan will also see a handful of firsts, including its first match against a reigning world champion and the first meeting between the United States and any Central Asian nation in senior women’s football.
Uzbekistan is seeing yet another first with the hiring of the newly appointed head coach, Midori Honda. Appointed in early 2022, the Japanese specialist will lead the women’s national team until the end of 2023. Honda is the first female coach in Japan to hold a Japan Football Association (JFA) C coaching license. Prior to becoming a coach, she played for the Japan national team from 1981 to 1991. During her time, her team won bronze medals at the Asian Games.
Are you interested in buying tickets to see the USWNT play Uzbekistan at Subaru Park in Chester, PA? Use the link here to purchase yours today!