The U.S. Women’s National Team is only months away from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. As the USA prepares to defend its world title, here are nine can’t miss WNT events during Countdown to the Cup that will lead into the main event this summer!

1. USA vs. Japan: The USA and Japan have played some of the most historic matches in women’s soccer history. The countries have met four times since the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final with the USA going 3-0-1 in those games. The most recent meeting was a 4-2 U.S. victory last summer at the 2018 Tournament of Nations. [TICKETS]
   
   
   
2. USA vs. England: Since 2015, the USA and England have played four consecutive one-goal games with the USA winning three of them. The most recent was the USA’s 1-0 win at the 2018 SheBelieves Cup. [TICKETS]
   
   
   
   
3. USA vs. Brazil: The USA vs. Brazil rivalry is an epic one, and the most recent meetings have been wildly entertaining games. At the 2017 Tournament of Nations, the USA came back from a 3-1 deficit, scoring three times in the final 12 minutes to win 4-3. At the 2018 Tournament of Nations, the USA needed a two-goal win to take the title, fell behind 1-0 on an own goal, and then scored four unanswered to win the tourney. [TICKETS]
   
   
   
4. USA vs. Australia: Another excellent World Cup preparation match for a pair of title favorites. After the USA went unbeaten in the first 26 matches between the teams, the last three games have been much tighter affairs: a 3-1 win for the USA in the opening game of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a 1-0 loss at the 2017 Tournament of Nations and a 1-1 draw on a late goal by Lindsey Horan at the 2018 Tournament of Nations. [TICKETS]
   
   
   
5. USA vs. Belgium: Belgium is another fast-improving European nation. The meeting with Belgium will be the first between the teams and mark the 54th opponent for the USA in its history. Belgium finished second in UEFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Group 6 but fell on the away goals tie-breaker to Switzerland in the two-leg semifinal playoff. [TICKETS]
   
   
   
6. USA vs. South Africa: USA played South Africa prior to the 2016 Olympics, winning 1-0 on a goal from Crystal Dunn in the only previous meeting between the countries. South Africa qualified for the 2019 Women’s World Cup by defeating Mali, 2-0, in the semifinal of the African Women’s Cup of Nations before falling to Nigeria in a penalty shootout in the championship game. [TICKETS]
   
   
   
7. USA vs. New Zealand: One of the USA’s oldest opponents – the nations first met in 1987, two years after the founding of the WNT program – the Football Ferns will provide a quality test, having most recently squared off in a doubled-header vs. the U.S. in Sept. 2017, a pair of WNT wins. [TICKETS]
   
   
   
8. USA vs. Mexico: The WNT will finish the schedule with the most familiar of opponents, taking on Mexico, a team the USA defeated 6-0 to open its 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship run. [TICKETS]
   
   
   
9. 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup: The be-all, end-all. The U.S. will aim to become only the second nation win consecutive Women’s World Cup titles and the first to capture four crowns. Drawn against Thailand, Chile and Sweden in Group F, the biggest WNT event of the year will surely be one you can’t miss! [TICKETS]
   
   
   

Did you hear? The U.S. Women’s National Team is embarking on a 10-game tour in 2019 leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France next summer! 

Below are what you must know about the Countdown to the Cup.

2019 Schedule Facts

• Six of the USA’s nine confirmed pre-World Cup opponents in 2019 are in the top 12 of the current FIFA Women’s World Rankings.
• The USA also began its 2015 schedule with a road game against France, falling 2-0 in Lorient on artificial turf. It was a result the USA avenged just a month later in the 2015 Algarve Cup in Portugal, defeating France 2-0. Heading into the WNT’s 34th year of competition, this will mark the 25th time the U.S. has started the year against a European nation.

The USA dropped its first game of 2015 vs. France, 2-0. It avenged the result a month later at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.

• The USA is set to play teams from five Confederations: Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and Concacaf.
• The eight domestic venues will take the U.S. team to the home areas of numerous current players.

The Opponents

• USA vs. France: France will be the 23rd all-time between the teams and first since a 1-1 draw in March during the 2018 SheBelieves Cup. It would be just the fourth meeting between the teams in France.
  
  
• USA vs. Spain: The match between and the USA and Spain will mark the 53rd country the USA has played in its history. Spain will also be the 26th country in which the U.S. Women have played a match. Spain, ranked 12th in the world, is one of several up-and-coming European nations. Spain earned its World Cup berth by cruising to a first-place finish in UEFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Group 7, going 8-0-0 while out-scoring its opponents 25-2. Austria finished second, followed by Finland, Serbia and Israel.
  
  
• 2019 SheBelieves Cup: France and Germany are staying in Europe to prepare for the World Cup, and with the Tournament of Nations not being held in World Cup or Olympic years, Brazil and Japan will join England in this year’s SheBelieves Cup. Brazil and Japan participated in both the 2017 and 2018 ToN.
• vs. Japan:The USA and Japan have played some of the most historic matches in women’s soccer history. The countries have met four times since the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final with the USA going 3-0-1 in the games. The most recent meeting was a 4-2 victory last summer at the 2018 Tournament of Nations.
• vs. England:Since 2015, the USA and England have played four consecutive one-goal games with the USA winning three of them 1-0 and losing the other 1-0. The most recent was the USA’s 1-0 win at the 2018 SheBelieves Cup.
• vs. Brazil:The USA vs. Brazil rivalry is an epic one, and the most recent meetings have produced wildly entertaining games. At the 2017 Tournament of Nations, the USA came back from a 3-1 deficit to score three times in the final 12 minutes and won 4-3. At the 2018 Tournament of Nations, the USA needed a two-goal win to take the title, fell behind 1-0 on an own goal, and then scored four unanswered to win the tourney.

• USA vs. Australia: This match will be another excellent World Cup preparation match for both teams. After the USA went unbeaten in the first 26 matches between the teams, the last three games have produced a 3-1 win for the USA in the opening game of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, a 1-0 loss at the 2017 Tournament of Nations and a 1-1 draw on a late goal by Lindsey Horan at the 2018 Tournament of Nations.
  
  
• USA vs. Belgium: Belgium is another fast-improving European nation. The meeting with Belgium will be the first between the teams and mark the 54th opponent for the USA in its history. Belgium finished second in UEFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Group 6, two points behind Italy, and earned a playoff berth, but fell to Switzerland in the two-leg semifinal playoff. The series was tied 3-3 on aggregate, but Switzerland went through on away goals.
  
  
• USA vs. South Africa: USA played South Africa prior to the 2016 Olympics, winning 1-0 on a goal from Crystal Dunn in the only meeting between these countries thus far. South Africa recently qualified for the 2019 Women’s World Cup by defeating Mali, 2-0, in the semifinal and then falling to Nigeria in a penalty shootout after the teams played to a scoreless draw in regulation and overtime in the championship game of the African Women’s Cup of Nations.
  
  
• USA vs. Mexico: USA will finish the schedule with the most familiar of opponents, taking on Mexico, a team the USA defeated 6-0 to open its 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship run. Mexico failed to advance out of its first-round group after also falling to Panama.

The Stadiums

• 2019 will take the U.S. WNT to four MLS stadiums, three NFL stadiums, and one MLB park.
• To open the SheBelieves Cup, the USA will visit Talen Energy Stadium for the seventh time. The USA is 5-0-1 all-time at the home of MLS’s Philadelphia Union.
• The USA’s SheBelieves Cup visit to Nissan Stadium will be the fourth match for the U.S. Women at the venue. The USA beat Canada there in 2004 and France in 2016 (on a late goal from Alex Morgan), both by 1-0 scores. The USA also beat Scotland there 3-1 in 2013.

The last time the U.S. WNT played at Nissan Stadium, Alex Morgan scored the game-winner vs. France in the 92nd minute.

• The WNT will make its sixth trip to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, home of MLS’s Colorado Rapids. The USA is 4-0-1 at the venue.
• The USA will play its first game at the newest sports venue in LA when it visits Banc of California Stadium, home to LAFC of MLS.
• For the match at Levi’s Stadium, the USA will play at its fifth different venue in Northern California. The U.S. Women played one game at Candlestick Park, the former home of the San Francisco 49ers, and will now play its first at their current home.

The U.S. WNT makes its return to Busch Stadium on May 16, 2019.

• The USA has played at a few baseball stadiums in its history, but the match at Busch Stadium in 2015 in the lead up to the Women’s World Cup was a rousing success with the USA defeating New Zealand, 4-0, in front of 35,817 fans. This will be the second match in WNT’s history at the home of the St. Louis Cardinals.
• The USA also played its final send-off match before the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup at Red Bull Arena, drawing with 0-0 with the Korea Republic. This will be the sixth match for the U.S. Women at the home of the New York Red Bulls.

CHICAGO (Feb. 16, 2019) – The U.S. Soccer Membership approved a range of appointments and proposals this weekend at the 2019 U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Scottsdale, Ariz.

During the National Council Meeting, former U.S. Women’s National Team star Cindy Parlow Cone was elected Vice President, while technology executive Patti Hart was confirmed as an Independent Director on the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors. Additionally, three applicants, Asociacion Nacional Futbol en EU, U.S. Youth Futsal and United States Association of Blind Athletes were admitted as new U.S. Soccer Member Organizations, and the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) was provisionally sanctioned as a Division III professional league.

CINDY CONE ELECTED NEW U.S. SOCCER VP
Recently inducted as a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2018, Parlow Cone was the sole candidate to complete the nomination process in order to run for the office of the Vice President. Parlow Cone’s term will last one year as she assumes the office that was vacated when former Vice President Carlos Cordeiro was elected as President last February at the 2018 U.S. Soccer AGM. Once the current term is finished next year, the Vice-Presidential election for a full, four-year term will be held at the 2020 National Council Meeting.

“I am grateful to be able to continue to serve our great game as U.S. Soccer Vice President,” said Parlow Cone. “I believe with my extensive knowledge of, and experience working in, the soccer landscape of our country, from grassroots to the international level, I will help U.S. Soccer continue to build, develop, and grow soccer in the United States at every level.”

Parlow Cone’s election as U.S. Soccer VP is the latest step in an impressive career that began as a star forward with the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1996-2004, and title-winning coach at the grassroots, collegiate and professional levels. During the past 20 years, she has served on U.S. Soccer’s Referee Committee, Medical Advisory Committee, Appeals Committee and the Athletes’ Council as well as more recently with U.S. Soccer’s Youth Task Force.

PATTI HART CONFIRMED AS INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
To replace Independent Director Val Ackerman, whose term expired this week, the National Council elected Patti Hart, an experienced CEO and board member with deep expertise in technology and entertainment to the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors. She also specializes in sales and marketing and brings a keen understanding of consumer trends and corporate governance. Hart has spent 13 years at International Game Technology, Inc., including six as CEO and the last three as vice chairman, leading one of the most innovative and profitable gaming companies with offices on six continents.

“We’re very grateful to Val for her years of service to U.S. Soccer,” said U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro. “We wish her the best as she continues in her role as Commissioner of the NCAA’s Big East Conference.”

“We’re excited that we were able to bring on such an outstanding individual to serve as Independent Director,” Cordeiro said about Hart. “Patti comes to us with an incredible business background, tremendous experience, and a track record of success in her professional career. We delighted to formally welcome her to the U.S. Soccer family.”

THREE NEW U.S. SOCCER MEMBERS
The addition of Asociacion Nacional Futbol en EU, U.S. Youth Futsal and United States Association of Blind Athletes as new Members brings the total number of U.S. Soccer Member Organizations to 110 and will help further U.S. Soccer’s mission to make soccer, in all its forms, a preeminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels.

PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE SANCTIONING
The National Women’s Soccer League was sanctioned for 2019 Division I professional competition during the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors meeting on Friday, Feb. 15.

In the same meeting, the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) was provisionally sanctioned, adding a second Division III professional league in the United States alongside the United Soccer League’s (USL) League One. USL also operates the USL Championship as a Division II professional league, while Major League Soccer operates as a Division I professional league.

COMMITMENT TO U.S. SOCCER EXTENDED NATIONAL TEAMS
U.S. Soccer has made a tangible commitment in the form of increased resources to its extended National Teams. Starting this year, for the first time ever—U.S. Soccer will have a new department focused exclusively on supporting the Beach National Team, Futsal National Team, and Para 7-a-Side National Team. It will include three new technical hires and a dedicated budget of $2 million. This commitment will enable our Paralympians to play for the team full time.

U.S. SOCCER HONOREES
U.S. Soccer honored two life-long servants of the sport during the AGM. Richard Groff, a former USASA President and U.S. Soccer Board member, joined the family of U.S. Soccer Life Members, which is an honor presented to individuals in recognition of long-time service and distinguished contributions to soccer in the United States. Groff was previously bestowed with the prestigious Werner Fricker Builder Award in 2014, receiving the U.S. Soccer Federation’s highest individual honor for tirelessly furthering the interest of the sport of soccer without regard to personal recognition or advancement.

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named the 23-player roster for the 2019 SheBelieves Cup, which features the top-ranked USA, No. 4 England, No. 8 Japan and No. 10 Brazil.

All four teams will be participating in this summer’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. Brazil, Japan and the USA are three of the seven teams that have participated in each of the seven previous Women’s World Cup tournaments.

• 3 Reasons SheBelieves Transcends Soccer
• Countdown to the Cup

U.S. WNT 2019 SheBelieves Cup Roster (Caps/Goals)

GOALKEEPERS (3): Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 19/0), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 40/0)
DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage; 32/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 14/1), Crystal Dunn (NC Courage; 77/24), Kelley O’Hara (Utah Royals FC; 112/2), Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC; 151/0), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars; 27/0), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC; 28/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars; 2/0), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 74/18), Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit; 21/6), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage; 43/8), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit 11/0), McCall Zerboni (NC Courage; 8/0)
FORWARDS (7): Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC; 143/25), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC; 266/105), Jessica McDonald (NC Courage; 5/1), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride; 155/98), Christen Press (Utah Royals FC; 108/47), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit; 45/13), Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC; 146/41)

Both Abby Dahlkemper and Crystal Dunn have been named to the 2019 SheBelieves Cup roster.

“The SheBelieves Cup is a positive event in many ways, but it’s extremely valuable to get three challenging games against World Cup-bound teams in a short time span that can simulate navigating through group play,” said Ellis. “These are all teams that can go deep in the tournament this summer and provide the kind of tests we need as we continue to work to crystalize our lineup and our final roster for the World Cup.”

2019 SheBelieves Cup Schedule