The No. 1-ranked United States women's soccer national team will play Wales in a sendoff match in San Jose, Calif. on Sunday before heading off to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The tournament starts on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, and the USWNT play their opening match against Vietnam a day later. The July 9 match against Wales is their final chance to iron out any kinks before the games truly matter.
Wales, ranked 30th in the world, missed out on a World Cup spot in heartbreaking fashion. Taking on Switzerland in a qualify-or-go-home scenario, they conceded a deciding goal in the 121st minute, just seconds from heading to a penalty shootout. Had they advanced, they would have qualified for the Women's World Cup for the first time in history, but those hopes were dashed by Fabienne Humm's winner for Switzerland.
This will be the first-ever matchup between the USA and Wales women's teams on the international stage.
LIVE BLOG: Follow the USA vs Wales match as it happens with highlights, commentary, and more
USA vs Wales live stream, TV channel
- Date: Sunday, July 9, 2023
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- TV channel: TNT, Telemundo, Universo
- Streaming: Fubo, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo, Universo NOW
The match will kick off from San Jose, California at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local time in San Jose) and will be televised on TNT, as part of the new 10-year rights deal between U.S. Soccer and Turner Sports.
There will also be a Spanish-language TV broadcast available on both Telemundo and Universo. And those channels are available to stream via Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
Fans subscribed to cable, satellite, or telco packages can also use their authenticated credentials to catch the stream on the Telemundo Deportes or Universo site and app.
Subscribers to NBC's Peacock can also watch the game in Spanish.
All business in Palo Alto 😤#USWNT x @BioSteelSports pic.twitter.com/plQzUi5i8n
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 5, 2023
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What time is USA vs Wales kickoff?
This pre-World Cup international friendly at PayPal Park kicks off on Sunday, July 9 at 1 p.m. local time in San Jose, CA.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major time zones across North America:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern (ET) | Sun, July 9 | 4 p.m. |
| Central (CT) | Sun, July 9 | 3 p.m. |
| Mountain (MT) | Sun, July 9 | 2 p.m. |
| Pacific (PT) | Sun, July 9 | 1 p.m. |
MORE: A breakdown of the USWNT Women's World Cup roster headed to Australia & New Zealand
USA vs Wales lineups, team news
U.S. manager Vlatko Andonovski has, for the most part, gone with his first-choice lineup in this match, but there are some exceptions with some players coming off recent injuries or still working their way up to optimal fitness. Given that the USA's first World Cup match is against Vietnam on July 21, a game in which some starters could be rested, that could be another reason to play some of the reserves against Wales.
Those whose minutes are being managed include Rose Lavelle, who is recovering from a recent knee injury, and Julie Ertz, who is slowly ramping her fitness back up from a long period of time off. Interestingly, Alyssa Thompson gets the start on the wing instead of Trinity Rodman.
USA confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): Alyssa Naeher (GK) — Crystal Dunn, Naomi Girma, Alana Cook, Emily Fox — Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan, Lindsey Horan — Alyssa Thompson, Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith.
USA confirmed subs (12): Aubrey Kingsbury (GK), Casey Murphy (GK), Sofia Huerta, Kelley O'Hara, Emily Sonnett, Julie Ertz, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis, Savannah DeMelo, Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Lynn Williams
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Wales team captain Sophie Ingle has traveled with the squad, but will not be available for the match, as she is serving a suspension that's carried over after being sent off against Portugal in April. Also unavailable is regular left-back Rachel Rowe who is out with a calf injury, which could force Gemma Evans to move out to the flank.
Manchester United regular Hayley Ladd is a weekly starter at defensive midfielder with her club, and while she usually slides back to center-back for Wales duty, she could move back to her regular position in place of Ingle.
One of the most exciting players on the roster is left winger Carrie Jones, who has 14 caps already at the age of 19, and plays for Manchester United, although she spent last season on loan with Leicester City. Jess Fishlock does not appear on the gameday roster, after being injured over the weekend on club duty for OL Reign.
Wales confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): 1-Olivia Clark (GK) — 3-Gemma Evans, 14-Hayley Ladd, 5-Rhiannon Roberts, 2-Lily Woodham — 7-Ceri Holland, 6-Jose Green, 8-Angharad James — 20-Carrie Jones, 9-Kayleigh Green, 11-Hannah Cain.
Wales confirmed subs (11): 1-Laura O'Sullivan (GK), 21-Saffia Middleton-Patel (GK), 18-Esther Morgan, 23-Ffion Morgan, 13-Mary McAteer, 16-Charlie Estcourt, 19-Megan Wynne, 22-Anna Filbey, 24-Chloe Williams, 15-Elise Hughes, 17-Ella Powell.