This tourney kicks off facing Japan, July 26 at the home of Sporting KC. Today camp opens there as HC Jill Ellis is set to name the final 23 player roster for the four nation games. Australia is next up for the home nation on July 29 in East Hatford, hoping to see the soccerroos there with Sam Kerr etal. Toyota Park, home of the FIre will see the marquee matchup with Brazil. the opponent for the US on Aug 2.
The top teams are in this tourney, in March, we went out to Red Bull Arena for the She Believes Cup witch had the top 4 worldwide. This coming series of games has Japan @ # 6, Brazil#7, and Australia #8 while the US is at the top. Many of the top players in the world will be present. With this being just the 2nd time staging this event it is to be annual so long as there are no Olympics or Women's World Cup, so it will return in 2021. The reigning champs are Australia followed by the USA, Japan & Brazil.
Coach Ellis stated "This is an opportunity to host and play against some of the world's best teams. We will see different styles and scenarios. The core of our team has been together since January."
FAST FACTS;
- This roster is all domestic players with each of the 9 NWSL teams included.
- The 3 gks all start for their home clubs and are in the playoff chase.
- Jill Ellis had her 1/4 century of newly capped players on June 12, NC Courage def. Merritt Mathias.
- Christen Press gets her first call up since returning from Sweden and will be honored for cap #100 v China June 12 in the near future.
- Lindsay Horan will face off with Sam Kerr as they share the lead in NWSL goals with 9.
- Long Islander Crystal Dunn is tied for 4th having scored 7 times thus far.
- Dunn is # 5 in NWSL with 5 assists.
- Long Islander Allie Long had her first pair of international goals in East Hartford v Clombia in April of 2016.
- 11 players enter with 51 or more caps and 13 have earned 36 or less.