A new era begins for the two-time reigning World Champion United States women’s national team. A new head coach is in place with Vlatko Andonovski taking over for Jill Ellis. The former Reign FC coach has big shoes to fill and an even bigger ship to keep on course. His first challenge will be a friendly against Sweden at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
USWNT vs. Sweden
- When: Thursday, Nov. 7
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: FS1, TUDN
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
With less than a year until the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, the new regime doesn’t have a ton of time to implement its new ideas and changes. Andonovski’s first roster in charge features four first-timers looking for their USWNT debut. Goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe, defender Amani Dorsey, defender Alana Cook and forward Margaret Purce are the four new call-ups looking for their special moment.
The group that took part in the World Cup has been hit by injuries and other events. Kelley O’Hara, Ali Krieger, Crystal Dunn, Tierna Davidson and forward Megan Rapinoe will all miss out on the new coach’s two friendlies due to injury. Meanwhile, star striker Alex Morgan recently announced she’s pregnant.
Sweden will be a tough first test for the new-look U.S. team. The Swedes were third-place finishers at this summer’s World Cup. These two teams met in the final group match of the tournament with the Americans winning 2-0 to win Group F. If the U.S. can go undefeated in its final two friendlies of the year, it’ll finish the calendar year with only one loss during a hectic and challenging schedule.
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