USA will play Thailand and Netherlands after the Olympics

In their first two games after the 2016 Olympics, the United States will play Thailand and the Netherlands in two September friendlies.

The first game will be against Thailand on September 15 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

The second game will be against the Netherlands on September 18 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

The U.S. has never played Thailand before, but they have faced the Netherlands plenty of times, beating them 3-1 the last time they played in 2013 and going 5-1-0 against them all time. Thailand is an interesting opponent in that they are starting to make themselves a known presence in the AFC and despite being new to the World Cup, having a very decent run in 2015 given their roster and resources.

These games fall in a FIFA international calendar window from September 12-20; hopefully USSF won’t see fit to interfere with the NWSL games scheduled for the previous weekend on September 10 and 11, though they’ve done so in the past by having players come in early for training camp.

We’ll also see if these two friendlies are separate from any post-Olympic victory tour the WNT might get if they medal. A gold medal would guarantee up to a 10-game tour, just as they did after the World Cup. A silver medal would mean a three-game tour.

Of note, as per USSF’s press release, a natural grass surface will be installed at the Georgia Dome for the game against the Netherlands.

Right now the WNT is focusing on the group stage of the Olympics; they open against New Zealand tonight, August 3, at 6 PM ET on NBCSN.