Local soccer fans are in for a treat this summer, as the United States Women's National Team will take over FirstEnergy Stadium for a showdown with rival China.
The match, set to take place on June 12 at 7 p.m., will be the second of two "friendly" meetings between the World No. 1 Americans and the 17th-ranked Chinese. The first will be on June 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.
Team USA has played China 56 times in its history, including their memorable victories in the 1996 Olympic gold medal game and the 1999 Women's World Cup Final. They last met at New Orleans' Superdome in 2015, when China upset the U.S. 1-0 in legendary striker Abby Wambach's last game before retirement.
"Obviously, there's a great history between the countries and we always enjoy the matches against China," U.S. head coach Jill Ellis said. "They bring a level of technical skill and tactical savvy that challenges us, which is what we need as we continue to prepare for World Cup qualifying in the fall."
Tickets for the game in Cleveland go on sale starting Friday, Mar. 30, at 10 a.m. Fans can purchase seats at online at USSoccer.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. In addition, tickets will also be sold at the FirstEnergy Stadium box office, but only on Mar. 30 and June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or the day of the game beginning at 9 a.m.
