Scotland will kick-off preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in style this November, with Shelley Kerr’s side set to welcome the world champions, USA, to the simple Digital arena in Paisley on Tuesday 13 November..
The USA are the most successful team in women’s World Cup history, having claimed the 1991 and 1999 titles in addition to their triumph in 2015.
The US have also reigned supreme at the Olympic Games, taking home the gold medal on four occasions.
With the NWSL widely considered to be the best women’s league in the world, USWNT head coach Jill Ellis is able to call upon the services of players of the calibre of Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd.
The US domestic game will be familiar to two of Scotland’s players in particular; captain Rachel Corsie who has played for both Utah Royals and Seattle Reign, whilst Kim Little also represented the Reign from 2014 to 2016.
November’s fixture will mark the first meeting of the two sides since February 2013, when goals from Megan Rapinoe, Abby Wambach and Christen Press saw the US take a 3-1 victory in Nashville.
A number of current Scotland squad members were also in the team for that fixture, including Jane Ross, Jen Beattie and Emma Mitchell.
It will be an opportunity for Scotland supporters to celebrate the achievement of Kerr’s side, a 2-1 win over Albania in Shkoder securing an historic first-ever qualification for the game’s biggest tournament.
Paisley has been a happy hunting ground in recent times, a record crowd of 4098 having roared Scotland Women to a crucial victory over Switzerland in August.
Speaking following the announcement of the fixture, Scotland head coach Shelley Kerr admitted her excitement at the prospect that lies in store.
She said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming the USA to Scotland this November.
“It represents a real opportunity for our players to test themselves against the best in the world as we prepare for our first FIFA Women’s World Cup next summer.
“The USA’s record in major tournaments speaks for itself, and the players cannot wait to go up against them.
“We’re also delighted to be returning to Paisley for the fixture. Our match against Switzerland was one of the greatest occasions I have been involved in during my career – the support from the crowd was tremendous, and I’m looking forward to getting back there and hearing it once again.
“Having the best team in the world come to Scotland is fantastic and is a measure of how far we’ve come, when we’re attracting this level of opposition.
“Showcasing some of the finest players the women’s game has ever seen in Scotland is another opportunity to inspire the nation and young aspiring footballers.
“Since we qualified for the FIFA World Cup in Albania there has been a real increase in the interest of the team and all of the players are still on a high from the achievement.
“It is now up to us to ensure we are as best prepared for the FIFA World Cup as possible and that will start by testing ourselves against the greatest team in the world.”
Ticket details will be announced in due course.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
