U.S. Women's National Team To Play First Match At Q2 Stadium

Austin TX

12 May, 2021

10:47 AM

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AUSTIN, TX — The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team will play the first-ever match at Q2 Stadium in Austin this summer, officials said. The reigning FIFA Women's World Cup champs will play Nigeria in an exhibition match at 8 p.m. June 16 to debut the stadium with world-class soccer, according to a tweet posted by the stadium on Thursday. The match will be nationally televised on ESPN2. "We are both thrilled and honored that the first-ever match at Q2 Stadium will feature the four-time FIFA World Champions," commented Austin FC President, Andy Loughnane. "Hosting the USWNT at Q2 Stadium speaks to the world-class nature of our city, our facilities, and the popularity of the sport in our region." The match against Nigeria at Q2 Stadium will mark the first time the USA has ever faced the Super Falcons outside of a world championship. It will be just the third-ever exhibition match against an African country, with the previous two coming against South Africa. "We are extremely excited for U.S. Women's National Team to play the first soccer match at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium," commented U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach, Vlatko Andonovski. "The development of Austin FC has been impressive and fun to watch, and the way the community has embraced the Club is inspiring. We can't wait to play there and feel that energy." The June 16 match against Nigeria at Q2 Stadium will also be the final USWNT international game before U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Andonovski names the 18-player Olympic Team roster, authorities said. Three nights later, Austin FC will play its historic Major League Soccer home opener against the San Jose Earthquakes at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 19. Megan Rapinoe, a two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champ and 2019 international player of the year, said she is excited about getting the chance to play at Austin's newest soccer stadium for the first time, according to KXAN. "I think the City of Austin is excited, I know I'm excited to go there and play there," Rapinoe said, "and frankly have somewhere else to play in Texas. We do enough of the Houston and Dallas action. The breakfast tacos alone are reason to be excited to head to Texas." Rapinoe said from a player's perspective, it's always exciting to be able to take everything they stand for into a new market and get in front of new eyes. "I think it's really cool that we get to break in this stadium for U.S. Soccer and grow the game," she said. Ticket information for the June 16 match at Q2 Stadium will be released by U.S. Soccer in the coming weeks, authorities said. For more information, visit https://www.austinfc.com/.