The best part of the summer is almost here with the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup right around the corner. Whether you're behind the USWNT all the way or any another of the 24 nations competing, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our World Cup primer...
When
The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off on Friday, June 7th at Paris’ Parc des Princes. In what will be the eighth edition of the tournament, an international audience will fill the stadium for the opening ceremony before host country France takes on Korea Republic to kick off the Group Stage.
Here are the key dates to note:
- Group Stage: June 7-20
- Knockout Phase: June 22-25
- Quarterfinals: June 27-29
- Semi-finals: July 2-3
- Third Place Match: July 6
- Final: July 7
Where
The Women’s World Cup will be played in the French cities of Grenoble, Le Havre, Lyon, Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Reims, Rennes, and Valenciennes.
If you can’t make the trip out to France, we’ve got you covered!
New York City has five boroughs filled with countless nationalities, so where better to watch the tournament than our glorious melting pot?
More official NYCFC Watch Parties will follow throughout the Summer of Soccer, but here are the first spots in New York City you can link up at to catch the World Cup action:
- Carragher's Pub - June 11, 3 p.m. EST
- SoccerRoof - June 16, 12 p.m. EST
- Brooklyn Museum - June 24, 12 p.m. EST
Stay tuned for more as the Summer of Soccer rolls on for updates with the hottest spots to support the USWNT... Or you can tune in to FOX or FS1 for full coverage throughout the tournament.
Stars & Stripes
Entering the tournament as reigning champions, the USWNT’s campaign for their fourth World Cup Trophy begins on June 11th as they kick off vs. Thailand in the Group Stage. Here’s their schedule as of now:
- June 11 - USWNT vs Thailand, 3 p.m. EST
- June 16 - USWNT vs Chile, 12 p.m. EST
- June 20 - USWNT vs Sweden, 3 p.m. EST
Keep it locked for the rest of the schedule as the tournament kicks off in full swing...
Who to Watch
For those who might be new to women's soccer but still want to support the USWNT this summer, here are just a few of the 23 players repping the Stars & Stripes to look out for in France...
The Leaders
- Alex Morgan - One of the three co-captains of the USWNT, Morgan has embraced a leadership role among the squad since her first cap in 2010. Morgan has been a fixture for the national team for years, scoring 101 goals in her campaign of 162 appearances in red, white, and blue. The striker currently plays for the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) where she has scored 18 goals since joining the club in 2016. A decorated athlete at both the international and club level, just a few lines on her resume includeWorld Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, U.S. Soccer Player of the Year, and NWSL champion. Beginning her World Cup journey in 2011 as the youngest player on the roster, Morgan now heads for France for her third World Cup as one of the most prolific goal scorers repping the United States.
- Carli Lloyd - The second of the three co-captains, Lloyd is yet another veteran on the team who has had an astonishing career. At the club level, Lloyd has played in two U.S. women's professional soccer leagues and even spent a season with Manchester City. The New Jersey native recently returned to her where she plays for Sky Blue FC in the NWSL. On the international scale, Lloyd has the most experience in the Women's World Cup out of all 23 players headed to France. She has scored seven goals in 18 World Cup matches, including a hat-trick in a fifteen minute span during the 2015 World Cup final that lead the United States to the title. Lloyd joins USWNT's in her fourth World Cup, with 110 career goals and 273 appearances under her belt. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, 2015 Women's World Cup champion, two-time FIFA Player of the Year, it's no doubt Lloyd has had international success since her first cap in 2005 and you can expect her to make her mark in France.
- Megan Rapinoe - The third of the three co-captains in 2019, Rapinoe was a star for the USA in the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada. After sustaining an ACL injury at the end of the 2015 Victory Tour, Rapinoe's future with the USWNT was questionable but she quickly came back and rejoined the squad for the 2016 Olympics. The veteran midfielder has scored 44 goals in 152 appearances for the team along with a World Cup title and Olympic gold medal. Rapinoe has come up big with goals and assists for the U.S. over the years, maybe most notably for her cross to Abby Wambach in the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Cup quarterfinals which forced the equalizer against Brazil, leading the USWNT to win in penalties and advance. For the past five years, Rapinoe has played for Reign FC (previously Seattle Reign) in the NWSL. Rapinoe not only stands out on the field, she also stands up for what she believes in off the field becoming a huge advocate for equal rights whether it involves gender, race, or sexual preference.
While there might be quite a few veterans leading the way among the strong squad of 23, others will be in France experiencing their first World Cup...
Up & Comers
- Mallory Pugh - Following a successful run at the youth national team level, Pugh made her first appearance for the senior national team in 2016 at age 17, making her the youngest player to debut for the national team since Heather O'Reilly in 2002. She represented the United States in Rio de Janeiro at the 2016 Summer Olympics where she became the youngest player to score a goal for the U.S. in an Olympic game. In 2017 the Colorado native decided to forego college and turn professional, later signing with the Washington Spirit in the NWSL. Since her first senior national team cap, Pugh has gone on to score 15 goals in her 52 appearances, winning two SheBelieves Cups and a CONCACAF Women’s Championship along the way. The 21-year-old now heads to France this summer for her first Women’s World Cup.
- Tierna Davidson - At 20 years old, Davidson heads to France as the youngest player on the of the 2019 USWNT World Cup squad. In 2017, Davidson helped lead Stanford University to win the NCAA D1 Women’s Soccer Tournament, also winning the 2017 College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player. In January 2019, the California native earned her first call up for the senior national team at age 19. After leaving college early, Davidson was drafted first overall by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2019 NWSL College Draft. The defender was playing regularly for her country until an ankle injury held her back. Now, Davidson returns to the USWNT recovered and ready to join the backline when called upon.
- Rose Lavelle - Reigning from Cincinnati, the University of Wisconsin alum was quite successful at the collegiate level, being ranked Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2013, Big Ten Midfielder of the Year consecutively in 2015 and 2016, and named first-team All-American by NCSAA her junior year. Lavelle currently plays alongside her U.S. teammate, Mallory Pugh, for the Washington Spirit. On the international stage, Lavelle worked her way up the ranks of the youth national team system before earning her first senior call up in 2017, scoring seven goals in 27 appearances in her journey so far with the USWNT. The 24-year-old has often noted that one of her favorite parts of playing is bringing her creativity into the beautiful game so be sure to keep an eye out for her tricks and smooth moves on the ball.
Also joining the USWNT in France for their first Women's World Cup include Adrianna Franch, Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, Allie Along, Sam Mewis, and Jessica McDonald.
U.S. Women's National Team head coach Jill Ellis will lead the 23 players in their journey as they look to become back-to-back World Cup champions and add another star above the crest.
Now that we've given you the basics to gear you up for another World Cup, don’t forget to hit the city this summer and show your pride. Whether you're supporting the USWNT or another nation, it's time to support the beautiful game throughout another Summer of Soccer!
Let’s show our support the City way, #ForTheCity - see you at the Watch Parties!
