The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) embarks on an exciting summer series of matches starting Saturday, May 31, as they face China PR in St. Paul, Minnesota, at Allianz Field.
The match is set to kick off at 4:30 p.m. CT / 5:30 p.m. ET, broadcast live on TBS, Max, Universo, and Peacock in Spanish, with radio coverage provided by Westwood One Sports.
This encounter marks the first of five crucial matches this summer, a vital part of the USWNT’s preparation for qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes will use this opportunity to assess different players and further develop the team ahead of the largest event in global women’s sports.
The current roster showcases a blend of youth and experience, with players averaging 30.7 caps per athlete.
This relatively young team is, however, bolstered by the presence of veteran defender Naomi Girma, who returns to the field after missing competition in 2025 due to injuries.
At only 24, Girma is among the seasoned players on this team, boasting 44 caps and an Olympic gold medal from 2024.
Another significant player returning is Lynn Biyendolo, who comes into camp with 75 caps after an injury sidelined her from the April friendlies against Brazil.
Biyendolo has made a substantial impact on the field, scoring 22 international goals and providing 13 assists throughout her career, including experience from two Olympic Games.
As the team prepares for the match, questions remain in the goalkeeper position following the retirement of two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Alyssa Naeher in 2024.
Since Naeher’s departure, a total of four goalkeepers have been called into the current camp, with three different players having defended the goal for the USWNT.
For this match against China, Hayes has selected first-time call-up Claudia Dickey alongside Mandy McGlynn and Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who have offered varying degrees of experience.
Tullis-Joyce secured a victory and a clean sheet in her recent performances, while McGlynn played in both of the April matches against Brazil.
Hayes expressed her intent to have a clearer understanding of the goalkeeper situation by the end of the camp.
The roster also features a number of fresh faces, with Hayes having introduced 23 players to the USWNT during her time as head coach.
For this summer series against China and Jamaica, three new members join the lineup: goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, defender Kerry Abello, and midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta.
While Dickey and Abello, both 25 years old, represent the youth movement, 32-year-old LaBonta could make history as the oldest player to debut for the USWNT if she takes the field.
LaBonta, the captain of the current NWSL leaders Kansas City Current, brings her experience and skills to the team after a strong start with three goals and one assist this season.
Abello’s significant contributions to the Orlando Pride backline make her a valuable addition, especially after winning both an NWSL Shield and Championship last season.
Dickey has also made an impression in goal with an impressive record of 26 saves and three clean sheets, making her one to watch during this camp.
Historically, the USWNT and China PR have a long-standing rivalry, with 60 matches played over the last 40 years.
These encounters rank as the second most played against any country, trailing only the USWNT’s rivalry with Canada.
The teams last faced off in December 2023, with the USWNT celebrating victories of 3-0 and 2-1 in friendly matches.
Highlights of the USWNT and China PR’s historical matchups include their iconic clashes in the 1996 Olympic gold medal game and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, where the US prevailed in both tightly contested matches.
Allianz Field holds a special place for the USWNT as it was the site of Lily Yohannes’ debut in June 2024.
In that match, Yohannes not only earned her first cap but also scored her first international goal at the age of 16, making her the third-youngest scorer in program history.
Now, nearly a year later, Yohannes has six caps under her belt and aims to add another goal to her record against China PR.
The USWNT has played three matches at Allianz Field, achieving victories against Portugal and Korea Republic, marking a combination of thrilling performances and memorable moments at the venue.
As the USWNT prepares for this summer series, fans eagerly await what promises to be an exciting match against China PR, setting the stage for a summer full of action, growth, and preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
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