US WNT to open domestic schedule against Japan

Saturday, 21 March 09, 12:54 PM · Comments(0)

Since the start of WPS is almost here, the US Women's National Team will have a limited amount of playing time. They started out with the Algarve Cup in early March, and will be back together after in late May for a two-game series against Japan.

The first match will be on May 20 in Frisco, Texas at Pizza Hut Park, home of the Major League Soccer's FC Dallas. This will be the first match there since a 6-2 win for the USA against Canada on May 12, 2007, and their first match-up against Japan since the 4-2 win for the US in the Olympic semifinal. Kick-off is set for 7:30 pm CT. Ticket prices range from $18-$80 plus VIP on-field seats for $125. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 am CT. If you are not able to go to the game, you can follow live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.

The second match-up will be on May 23 in Sandy, Utah at Rio Tinto Stadium where Real Salt Lake of the MLS plays their home games. Tickets start at $18, plus on-field seats for $150 and go on sale on March 21, at 10 am MT. This game will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel at 4 pm MT. Fans can also follow live on MatchTracker.

The US and Japan have had a long history dating back to 1986. They also played each other in the 1991 and 1995 FIFA Women's World Cups as well as in the quartefinals in the 2004 Olympics, and most recently at the Beijing Olympics in Group play and in the semifinal. Japan has never defeated the US, but tied 3 straight games played between 2000 and 2004.

Japan will most likely feature its star player, midfielder Homare Sawa of the Washington Freedom, along with midfielder Aya Myama of the Los Angeles Sol and forward Eriko Arakawa of the FC Gold Pride.

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