USWNT will play Sweden for April away friendly

The United States women’s national team will take advantage of the April FIFA window by traveling to Sweden for an away game in Stockholm on April 10. Per USSF’s media release, they are attempting to finalize a second away game for April 13. Whether that’s also against Sweden or brings in another opponent (probably the more likely scenario) remains to be seen. No fans will be allowed at the game. As usual, everyone will be tested for COVID-19 before and during travel, including tests every two days while in Europe.

That FIFA window does mean that national team players on NWSL teams will miss the start of the Challenge Cup, slated to begin on April 9. But then May is clear of FIFA windows, so there will probably be a a good bit of the beginning of the regular season to have NT players in home markets.

This game against Sweden inches the team closer to the Olympics in July; after April, there’s only one more FIFA window to use.

“We need as many tests as possible like the ones we’ll face at the Olympics and these games in Europe will give us that,” said head coach Vlatko Andonovski per USSF’s press release. “We only have a few matches left before we have to pick the Olympic Team so we need the players to show how they can impact the success of our team and we need to see them do it against world class teams.”

The US last played Sweden in November 2019, when the US beat them 3-2 in a friendly, coincidentally also Andonovski’s first game as USWNT head coach. The US also beat Sweden 2-0 during the 2019 World Cup during group stage.

USA vs Sweden
Saturday, April 10
1 PM ET / 10 AM PT
Friends Arena, Stockholm
FOX