Ahead France 2019:USA tackles New Zealand Friday

By Harry Awurumibe,  Abuja.

The United States Women’s National Team find themselves just 22 days away from defending their FIFA Women’s World Cup title the won four years ago in Canada.

The three-time World Champions will this Friday host New Zealand in the second of three warm-up matches. On Sunday, the U.S. defeated South Africa, 3-0, with a brace from Samantha Mewis. The midfielder was one player who took advantage of her chance to prove she can play a bigger role. She is also expected to step up and show the same zeal against the team from Oceania.

USA and New Zealand match is a set up in competition from what the South Africans offered the Americans  in terms of opposition. The team from Oceania are ranked 19th in the world by FIFA and have been drawn into an interesting World Cup group alongside Canada, Cameroon and the Netherlands.

Ironically, the USA played New Zealand at this exact venue during the run-up to the 2015 World Cup. They defeated New Zealand 4-0.

The Football Ferns are coached by former U.S. head coach Tom Sermanni. It will be the first time he has faced the USA since he was fired in April 2014.

The match will take place at St. Louis Stadium, Mo