A chance exists for the United States to improve its legacy in women’s football at the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
They are doing everything possible to find a team base in New Zealand for the competition the following year.
Following the announcement that the USA Women’s Team will play the Netherlands in the Capital, in a rematch of the 2019 final, USA Women’s Team Manager Ryan Dell spent today visiting Wellington.
In 2023, the USA women will play a game in New Zealand for the first time, according to Dell.
“We feel very lucky to be here in New Zealand where the people have been so hospitable to our head coach Vlatko Andonovski and our entire delegation during the draw.
Wellington is even privileged because the team’s facilities are close by, such the Wellington Phoenix’s $100 million training facility in Upper Hutt. It is a significant selling point for Americans.
The four-time world champions’ travel time between venues and stadiums, according to Dell, had been an issue at prior competitions.
“”I think that’ll be a great benefit to have one place for our squad which we haven’t been able to accomplish in previous world cups,” says Dell. “I think that’ll be venue hopping which is something that we had to do in France and Canada.”
At previous world cups, the USA has been successful in attracting fervent supporters to the host nations.
“The fact that we had roughly 25,000 supporters in France demonstrates the strong support we have for the women’s national team.
“New Zealand is a fantastic place for Americans to visit; it’s easy to get there from Los Angeles compared to many other places in Europe. I think they’ll be here loud and proud.”
Alexi Lalas, a great for the USA men, has backed up this idea.
Lalas advises, “If you’re coming for America, you better not miss.”
“From a US viewpoint, bring it on next summer when it comes to the World Cup as we go for an unprecedented third straight, whether it’s men’s or women’s, something that’s never been done,” he said.
The location of Dell’s Aotearoa base will be decided upon by the end of the month.
For the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the US seeks a home away from home in NZ.
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