Colorado Rapids / photo credit to GooddaySports
(Commerce City, Colo = Won Jeong) The upcoming clash between the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and Korea Republic promises to be a thrilling encounter as the teams meet at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park on June 1 (3 p.m. MT; TNT, Universo, Max, and Peacock). This event marks the debut on the bench for the newly appointed USWNT head coach, Emma Hayes.
In the weeks to follow, U.S. Soccer will unveil the final two matches for the USWNT, slated for July, before the team departs for the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics.
Wayne Brant, Chief Business Officer of the Colorado Rapids, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the return of the U.S. Women’s National Team, providing fans with a unique opportunity to witness the national team in action ahead of the Olympics. He emphasized the profound significance of hosting the team, particularly with a notable contingent of Coloradan players, including captain Lindsey Horan (Golden), Mallory Swanson (Highlands Ranch), and Sophia Smith (Windsor).
DICK’s Sporting Goods Park has been a formidable fortress for the USWNT since their inaugural match in 2008, boasting an unbeaten record of 7 wins and 1 draw. Notably, the team’s last appearance at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park in June 2022 resulted in a 3-0 victory over Colombia, with home-state hero Sophia Smith scoring twice. The only blemish on their record at DSGP is a 3-3 draw against Japan in June 2016.
South Korea, having qualified from Asia for the past three Women’s World Cups, adds an extra layer of anticipation to the encounter. The most recent meetings between the USA and the Taegeuk Ladies occurred in October 2021, with a 0-0 draw in Kansas City, Kansas, and a convincing 6-0 win in St. Paul, Minnesota.
DICK’s Sporting Goods Park, home to Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids since their founding in 1996, adds another dimension to the match. The Rapids, 2010 MLS Cup champions and 2021 Western Conference regular-season winners, provide a fitting backdrop for this exciting international clash.