Dick's Sporting Goods Park (pictured) in Commerce City, Colorado, will be the venue for the women's international friendly between the United States and visiting China on April 6, 2014. (Photo: Imagenes en Costa Rica)
CHICAGO – The United States will meet China in a women’s international friendly on April 6 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, it was announced on Thursday.
The long-time rivals have met 50 previous times in a series that has seen the Americans post 30 wins against eight losses.
"China seems to be getting to the stage where they've got some increased stability in coaching staff and their player pool, and the results of that stability and planning are beginning to show on the field," said U.S. head coach Tom Sermanni. "As always, the match will be a chance for our players to make claims for spots on the World Cup qualifying roster later in the fall, but it will also be just before the players head into the NWSL as friendly combatants, so we'll want to put in quality performances for our home fans."
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is slated to open its 2014 season on April 12.
In their last meeting at the 2013 Algarve Cup in Portugal, the U.S. defeated China, 5-0. Both sides will participate in the 2014 edition of the tournament, but are in different groups.
The trip to suburban Denver will mark the USA's third match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, home to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. The current Olympic champion played there in 2008 against Brazil and in 2012 against Australia, which was coached at that time by Sermanni.
