The U.S. women’s national team is set to bid farewell to two of its all-time greats.
First up will be Julie Ertz, who will play the final game of her career in Thursday’s friendly against South Africa at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. The USWNT’s second game against South Africa on Sunday in Chicago will see Megan Rapinoe play her last international match.
[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Julie Ertz’s final USWNT match” link=”https://sling-tv.pxf.io/zN0gP6″]
For the USWNT, the two games will be a chance to look back, but also to look ahead. After a disappointing World Cup, the U.S. will have a quick shot at redemption in the form of next summer’s Olympics in Paris.
The major question at this point is who will be coaching them. Twila Kilgore will take charge of her first game as interim head coach on Thursday, and she is expected to lead the team through two friendlies in October.
But with another major tournament so close, U.S. Soccer will want to get a permanent head coach in as soon as possible.
Thursday will mark the USWNT’s first match since a disappointing last-16 elimination at the World Cup. Its opponent, South Africa, is coming off a World Cup in which it also exited in the last 16.
With Ertz set to earn her 123rd and final cap, three players will be looking to win their first USWNT cap: Jaedyn Shaw, M.A. Vignola, and Mia Fishel.
The U.S. and South Africa have met on two previous occasions, with the USWNT winning both times.
USWNT roster (club; caps/goals)
Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 14), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 95)
Defenders (9): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 25/1), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 49/1), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC; 136/24), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 33/1), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 20/0), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign; 31/0), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars; 38/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 77/1), M.A. Vignola (Angel City FC; 0/0)
Midfielders (6): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 4/0), Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC; 3/0), Julie Ertz (Unattached; 122/20), Lindsey Horan (Lyon; 133/29), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 25/3), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 49/3)
Forwards (9): Mia Fishel (Chelsea FC; 0/0), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 19/5), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC; 211/121), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 23/4), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 202/63), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 22/4), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC; 0/0), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 6/0), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 55/15)
USWNT vs. South Africa (international friendly)
- When: Thursday, Sept. 21
- Where: TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel/streaming: TNT, Universo and Peacock
[afflinkbutton text=”Watch USWNT vs South Africa on Sling” link=”https://sling-tv.pxf.io/zN0gP6″]
[afflinkbutton text=”Watch USWNT vs South Africa on Peacock” link=”https://imp.i305175.net/nLAkWX”]
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