U.S. Women’s National Team Begins 2024 Campaign at Concacaf W Gold Cup
The U.S. Women’s National Team is ready to kick off their 2024 campaign at the Concacaf W Gold Cup. Their first match will be against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, February 20. The game will take place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, and will be broadcasted in English on Paramount+ and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.
Group Stage Matches
The U.S. Women’s National Team has been drawn into Group A along with Argentina and Mexico. They will play all their group stage matches in Carson, California. After their opening match against the Dominican Republic, they will face Argentina on February 23 and Mexico on February 26 to close out the group stage.
Follow the Action
Fans will be able to follow all the action from the W Gold Cup through various platforms including X (formerly Twitter – @USWNT), Instagram (@USWNT), Facebook, and the official U.S. Soccer App.
Team Roster
Interim head coach Twila Kilgore has named a strong 23-player roster for the Concacaf W Gold Cup. The team consists of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders, and six forwards. Notable players include goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, defender Crystal Dunn, and midfielder Lindsey Horan.
Experienced Veterans Return
Three experienced veterans, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alyssa Naeher, and Crystal Dunn, have returned to the squad for the first time since the October 2023 friendlies against Colombia. Their wealth of experience will be valuable for the team as they embark on their 2024 campaign.
About the Gold Cup
The Concacaf W Gold Cup is the region’s new flagship competition for Women’s National Teams. It provides additional opportunities for competition and exposure. The final tournament will be played in four venues across the United States, including Dignity Health Sports Park, Snapdragon Stadium, Shell Energy Stadium, and BMO Stadium.
Knockout Rounds and Final
The top two finishers from each group will advance to the knockout rounds, along with the two best third-place teams overall. The knockout rounds will begin with the Quarterfinal Round on March 2 and 3 at BMO Stadium. The winners of the single-match elimination games will then advance to the semifinal and final rounds. The Semifinal and Final will be played at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on March 6 and 10, respectively.
California State of Mind
All six possible games for the USWNT at the Concacaf W Gold Cup will be played in California. The team has a strong record in the state, having played more matches there than any other state in the country. They have never lost a match in California, boasting an overall record of 49 wins, 4 draws, and 0 losses.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher Nearing Milestone
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is just three caps away from reaching the 100 cap milestone. She will become the third goalkeeper and 42nd player overall in U.S. Women’s National Team history to achieve this feat. Naeher has been a consistent starter for the team since the 2016 Olympics and has been a key player in their recent success.
Dominant Defense
The U.S. Women’s National Team is known for its dominant defense, and 2023 was no exception. They allowed just three goals in 18 total matches, setting a new team record for the fewest goals allowed per game in a single year. Goalkeepers Alyssa Naeher and Casey Murphy played a crucial role in keeping 15 shutouts throughout the year.
Looking Ahead: SheBelieves Cup
After the Concacaf W Gold Cup, the U.S. Women’s National Team will turn their attention to the 2024 SheBelieves Cup. The tournament will feature four top-ranked teams including Brazil, Canada, and Japan. The U.S. will be looking to defend their title as they host the tournament in April.
Pathway to Paris
With just five months until the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the USWNT is deep in preparation for their pursuit of a fifth Olympic gold medal. The team has already qualified for the Olympics by winning the 2022 Concacaf W Championship. They will be competing against 11 other teams in seven different venues across France.
In Focus: Dominican Republic
The U.S. Women’s National Team will face the Dominican Republic in their first group stage match. The two teams have only met once before in 2012, with the U.S. winning 14-0. The Dominican Republic is ranked 107th in the FIFA World Ranking and 14th in the Concacaf Ranking. They have a heavy American influence in their squad, with twelve players