FORT LAUDERDALE – The United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) embarks on an eight-and-half month run-up to the Summer Olympics, that are scheduled to be played in France next summer with two games against FIFA 15th ranked China PR. The tournament will be played across seven venues in France.
The first friendly will be played tomorrow at DVR PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, while the second will be host by Frisco, Texas and Toyota Stadium.
Team USA has already qualified for the Summer Games, while China will miss out. They finished third in Group B during the Second Round of the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Despite hosting the group in Xiamen, China lost to North Korea, 2-1, beat Thailand 3-0, and then drew South Korea 1-1, in a game they needed to win.
The USWNT heads into the friendlies with a record of 12W-4D-0L in 2023. They will be looking to remain unbeaten in regulation time during this calendar year.
Coloradan’s Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan are expected to co-lead the U.S. against China’s talent-filled Steel Roses. Veteran winger, Mallory Swanson, is still on-the-mend from her reconstructive knee surgery, after she incurred a serious injury while playing in Austin, Texas against Ireland.
The Horan-Smith duo are part of a 26-player contingent that interim head coach, Twila Kilgore, called up to this camp three weeks ago.
The team’s newly hired permanent manager, Emma Hayes, flew from Great Britain to Fort Lauderdale this week to meet with current and alumni players alike, as well as team support staff.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 7), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 16)
DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 29/1), Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC; 79/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 50/1), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 37/1), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 24/0), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars; 41/0), M.A. Vignola (Angel City FC; 1/0)
FORWARDS (8): Mia Fishel (Chelsea FC, ENG; 2/1), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 21/5), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 24/4), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 26/6), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC; 2/1), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 36/14), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 8/0), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 58/17).
Mallory Swanson is stretchered off the field after suffering patella tendon tear against Ireland. Photo Credit: John Babiak.
Retooled Team USA
In late August, Horan said during an interview on YouTube Channel RE-INC that when the new coach comes arrives, it will be paramount to extract the most out of the players that she selects for the Olympic roster.
Hayes will not commence her job until May, when her duties as Chelsea’s head coach formally conclude.
“When a coach comes in, it’s like, hey, how do we get the best out of every single individual player putting the most simplicity into a 10-day camp every few months and getting the best out of your team, and without overcomplicating everything?”
Horan continued. “Because yes, I could talk about the last four-year cycle, and we don’t need to get into every single thing, but that’s not what we did. We did not get the best out of every single individual.
“I don’t think everyone was fully prepared [for the 2023 Women’s World Cup Tournament], and that’s on us as well.”
History with China
According to U.S. Soccer, the PR is the second-most common opponent in U.S. history (after Canada) and these games will mark the 59th and 60th meetings between the longtime foes.
While the USA and China used to meet quite often, sometimes multiple times a year. This will, however, be the first meeting between the teams since June 12, 2018, when the USA defeated China PR 2-1 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The over five-year span without matches is the longest in the history of the rivalry, which dates back to 1986.
The USA leads the all-time series between the sides with a record of 36W-13D-9L, outscoring the Chinese 99-37.
How to watch:
Saturday, December 2 at DRV PNK Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
1 p.m. MT on TNT, Telemundo, Universo, Max and Peacock.
December 5 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Tuesday, 6 p.m. MT on TruTV, Universo, Max and Peacock.
Photo Credit: John Babiak
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Matt Pollard 
Brendan Ploen