First test awaits until Vlatko Andonovsky.
HOUSTON, TX–The current World Cup Champions will have their first big test under new head coach Vlatko Andonovski as they will battle to earn one of the two spots Concacaf have for the next Olympic Games.
The Americans are part of Group A, where they will face Haiti, Panama, and Costa Rica. The USA needs to finish the group stage in the first two places of the group to qualify to the semifinals. If they advanced to the semis, they will face one of the first two places of Group B, which has Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and St. Kitts & Nevis.
The USWNT is led by players such as Ballon d’Or winner Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath, and Carli Lloyd who know the next Olympic games might be the last competition they will have the opportunity to compete at. Therefore, they have been preparing not only to be one of the two teams that will represent Concacaf in the Olympics, but to win the Gold in Tokyo this summer. It is important to note the Americans did not win a medal four years ago in Brazil as they had a disappointing tournament under coach Jill Ellis.
The team is missing a key player as Alex Morgan is not participating in this tournament due to her pregnancy. If the team qualifies to the Olympics, she is expected to be ready for a potential call-up to the team.
Group A action will be played at BBVA Stadium in Houston, Texas. On the other hand, Group B matches will be host at HEB Park in Edinburg, Texas. The semifinals and final of the tournament will take place at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Below are pictures from the day:
