THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland women’s national team will face the United States in an international friendly double-header in June.
Both games against the world number one will take place Stateside, with the first fixture on Thursday, 26 June in Denver, Colorado, and the second on Sunday, 29 June, in Cincinnati.
There, Carla Ward will be reunited with USA maestro Emma Hayes: the Ireland boss worked on Hayes’ staff as the Americans won gold at the the Olympic Games last summer.
The sides have previously met 15 times, most recently in the run-up to the 2023 World Cup when Vera Pauw’s Ireland were defeated 2-0 and 1-0 in Austin, Texas and St Louis, Missouri.
“We are looking forward to these two games against the best international team in women’s football as they will provide the kind of challenge that we need to expose our players to more often,” said Ward.
“As we continue to work on further developing our squad, these games will allow us the opportunity to put some of our work into practice in what will be two intense games that we will learn a lot from.”
USA are four-time World Cup winners, triumphing most recently in 2019 before a Round of 16 exit at the hands of Sweden in 2023. Hayes is expecting two tough tests in June.
“Ireland is one of the most difficult European teams to play against, so I’m happy we could get these games,” said Hayes. “We need to play teams that will push us and create an environment where our players have to solve problems and play under pressure.
“We’re still early in our process of building towards World Cup qualifying for ’27 and we still have a lot of growth to go as a team and as individuals, so these summer matches at these great soccer venues will once again provide a platform for the players to show their abilities to excel at a high level.”
These friendlies follow the Uefa Nations League group stages, which Ireland resume next week with a double-header against Greece. Ward is due to name her squad for those games tomorrow morning.
International Friendlies
USA v Ireland
Thursday, 26 June
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
KO 7.07pm (local time), 1.07am (Irish time)
USA v Ireland
Sunday, 29 June
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
KO 3:07pm (local time), 7.07pm (Irish time)
Two very average sides at the moment, the premier league has been in steady decline for a number of years now.
Both teams not in great form but Utd have the knack of winning games this season when they could be drawing or losing them which could be the difference on Sunday but in saying that it is Man Utd v Liverpool and form tends to go out the window in these games and I’m sure both teams will be fired up for it.
Dont care what gary neville thinks.. lvg is a winner
I watched a good bit of this game, it’s the first time I have seen UTD since the beginning of the season. They haven’t improved much. How are they 3rd.
Because the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton etc, their main rivals from last year are playing worse than Utd this season.
No it’s not. It’s because they’ve got 28 points from 15 games and would be top 4 with that tally any other season too.
I wish ye’d actually upload the video of van Gaal’s response. He is so outraged, it’s brilliant!
Sorry, wasn’t up when I first posted.
In fairness he is right to say he has to pay attention to his words. They needed three points from St. Marys and they got them. There is no point in a past player wading in and being critical when they are 3rd in the league. At least wait until after the New Year to bash the team.
Gway they wouldn’t beat Eggs..
It was a dire performance by Utd. However for the 3 clear chances Utd they converted two which has to be seen as good. On a rugby pitch that would be an excellent return, especially if the other side were dominating possession like Southampton were last night.
3rd in the league and facing Liverpool on Sunday with a number of straight wins…its shaping up to be a cracker for both sides!!