Though the Orange & Blue of FC Cincinnati don’t have a match tomorrow, there will be still be a pretty big soccer match tomorrow at Nippert Stadium: the US Women’s National Team will be taking on New Zealand in an international friendly! The game marks the first ever national team match hosted at the University of Cincinnati and the first visit by the women’s team to city since 2008.
Just as you can with our own side, read on below to get details about the match, how you can watch, what to expect and more in our full match preview!
WHEN
Tuesday, September 19th, at 7:30pm
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
With a large crowd expected and school in session, it’s highly recommended that you get to the stadium as early as possible. To help simplify matters, we also recommend purchasing a parking pass in advance as well.
If you’re a supporters group member and/or have with tickets in The Bailey (sections 131-134), you will need to pick up your wristband prior to entering the stadium to gain access to the section. Check-in and wristband pickup will take place on Sheakley Lawn outside of Gate 2 or outside of Gate 8; there will be signage displayed to show exactly where you should go.
OPPONENTS
The reigning world champions of women’s soccer will be calling Nippert Stadium home for the first time this Tuesday, as they play host to the Ferns of the New Zealand Women’s National Team in an international friendly.
VENUE
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
DIRECTIONS
FORM
USWNT: This is the US women’s second match in what has been deemed their “Fall Friendlies”, and they enter this weekend’s match on a three match winning streak that includes wins over #9 ranked Brazil and #8 ranked Japan. Overall in 2017, the women have posted a 8-3-0 record during 2017. And while that record is pretty solid, the three losses so far this year – 0-1 to England, 0-3 to France and 0-1 to Australia – have all involved the side being completely shut down offensively. However, the number #1-ranked team in the world will likely feel confident with their chances on not facing a similar fate against New Zealand this week.
NZWNT: Showing up at 19th in the latest FIFA rankings, the Ferns of New Zealand have experienced a rough 2017. They’ve won just one of five matches so far this calendar year, a 3-1 win over Hungary in the Cyprus Cup back in March. Their defense has given up 13 goals in those five matches, while only managing to score four of their own. And given that the US team they’re facing is stocked and loaded with offensive talent, it’s hard to imagine that they’ll be reversing either trend on Tuesday.
PLAYERS
USWNT: Some of the biggest names in women’s world soccer are available for selection by women’s national team coach Jill Ellis. Chief among those big names are a pair of veterans: Orlando Pride forward Alex Morgan (#13), who has 75 goals in 129 appearances, and Seattle Reign midfielder Megan Rapinoe (#15). Defensively, they’ll be in good shape with the experienced Becky Sauerbrunn (#4) of FC Kansas City and Kelley O’Hara (#5) of Sky Blue FC each boasting 100+ caps. But many of the eyes in the stadium will be trained on one of the younger, emerging stars within the US camp: recent #1-overall draft pick by the Boston Breakers, Cincinnati-native Rose Lavelle (#16). Watch for the silky smooth midfielder to make an impression on her hometown in what would could be her 7th national team appearance.
NZWNT: Though not laden with the talent that the US women have at their disposal, the Ferns have some pretty impressive players in their ranks. The most high profile of those is forward Hannah Wilkinson, who has netted 25 times for the national team in 82 appearances. Currently plying her trade in Sweden’s top flight, Wilkinson first made a name for herself while a standout for the University of Tennessee. At the other end of the pitch, watch for Ria Percival (#2) – second all-time in caps for the Ferns – to anchor a defense that’s surprisingly experienced.
HISTORY
This will be the fourth meeting all-time between the USWNT and the NZWNT, with the US holding a perfect 3-0-0 record to this point. The last of those was a friendly that came a handful of days ago in Colorado, where the US pinned back the Ferns 3-1 with a brace from Julie Ertz and an insurance goal from Alex Morgan. The other two US wins both came in Olympic competition, one in 2016 group play and the other in 2012 quarterfinals.
WEATHER
Though rain and storms are expected in the early afternoon tomorrow, things should dry out by the time things gets started at Nippert Stadium. Watch for kickoff temperatures to be a steamy 74° F with humidity in the upper 80%-range, with temperatures gradually dropping off throughout the match into the high 70’s.
WATCH
Even if you aren’t going to make it out to Nippert, you can still watch the action live as this is nationally televised match! USAvNZL will be shown live on Fox Sports 1, with a 30-minute pregame show kicking things off before that.
Over the Air: Not Available
Cincinnati Bell Fioptics: Channel 25 (SD) or 525 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (OH): Channel 55 (SD) or 1317 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (KY): Channel 76 (SD) or 969 (HD)
DirecTV: Channel 219
DISH: Channel 150
If you aren’t able to get in front of a TV, you can still stream the match live using the Fox Sports Go website and app – though you will need a cable/internet provider login to access it.
LISTEN
There will not be a radio broadcast for the match.
SOCIAL
To stay as up to date as possible on the match, be sure to follow the action on US Soccer’s social media channels -- @ussoccer_WNT on Twitter, @ussoccer on Instagram, Facebook, and ‘ussocer’ on Snapchat. However, keep an eye on the various @fccincinanti channels for occasional check-ins as well.
