It seems to be early , until you consider the following :
Olympics , a worldwide event , is roughly 9 months away taking place in Paris , France , on July 2024 .
In the category of soccer , the women don ’ t have the same restrictions as the men . Therefore , at Olympics , the women soccer is as much competitive as the World Cup . With no restriction on age nor professional level , the teams can be the same as the ones that competed in the last World Cup 2023 hosted by Australia and New Zealand .
That said , it ’ s only logical that the USWNT start preparing themselves earlier and strong as possible to avoid another frustrating surprise .
They ’ re starting with two friendly games versus South Africa . These matches will be the final international games for a pair of USWNT legends Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe .
The interim coach Twila Kilgore is in command of both games . She ’ s replacing Vladko Andonovsk meanwhile the U . S . Soccer Federation decide on the hiring of a new coach for USWNT . It will be Twila ’ s first game coaching at senior level after coaching U-20 .
These two friendly games against South Africa has many objectives including preparation for the 2024 Olympics in Paris , and thankful homage to two icons of USWNT , Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe . Both players announced retirement from national team as well from the professional soccer league they ’ re militating .
Julie Ertz , is stopping right after this last game from national team and from NWSL . She won ’ t travel to Chicago for the 2nd friendly , nor stay until the end of NWSL season .
Megan Rapinoe will go to Chicago and will finish the NWSL 2023 season .
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