The U.S. shut out China 4-0 in Houston and 2-0 in Detroit in the first two contests of the set.
Two of the U.S. Women’s team players are returning visitors to FAU stadium. Abby Wambach and Hope Solo played on the team MagicJack squad of Women’s Professional Soccer.
“It’s good to be back,” Solo, who lived in West Palm Beach before MagicJack was terminated in 2011, said. ”I’m confident that one day I will be able to come back here and play professionally.”
“Coming onto the campus here at FAU is a treat,” Wambach, MagicJack’s player-coach, said. “Reminds me of the fun times that I had here, playing for MagicJack.”
This is the national team’s first trip to Boca under new management. Pia Sundhage, who led the team to a number one ranking and a gold medal in the London Olympics, has left to coach her native Sweden’s national squad.
“I don’t have any different expectations in the actual coaching,” Sermanni said in an interview with Sports Illustrated. “When I walk on a soccer field, the coaching session I’ll put on for a female team wouldn’t be any different from the session I’ll put on for a male team.”
Sermanni will have to show an ability to manage the likes of Alex Morgan and Wambach, along with the varying personalities of superstars like Solo.
The U.S. put on an impressive performance in front of the Houston crowd of 15,643 in their last tilt against China PR. Veteran striker Wambach raised her career goal tally to 150 after scoring twice, with midfielder Heather O’Reilly assisting on both scores.
Wambach hasn’t been the only source of offense for the United States. Forward Morgan has been on a tear as well. In the U.S.’s tilt against Ireland on November 29, Morgan burst out in the first half, scoring three goals before the halftime whistle sounded.
“I was feeling it,” Morgan said to the Associated Press after the game.
Though nostalgic, Wambach was happy to be here. “It’s great to be back in Florida,” she said. “There’s something about the sun.”
The U.S. Women’s National Team will be facing China PR on Saturday, December 15 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
