Big crowds expected for spring USMNT and USWNT friendlies

The United States is a popular ticket, and it doesn't matter if it's the men or women. Over 43,000 tickets have been sold for the men's April 15 friendly against Mexico in San Antonio, while nearly 24,000 tickets have been sold for the women's April 4 friendly against New Zealand in St. Louis.

It's not much of a surprise that a big crowd will be on hand for the U.S./Mexico clash. People always turn out for that rivalry and with the match in Mexican-heavy Texas, there was no doubt that a bunch of El Tri fans would snap up tickets to fill the 65,000-seat stadium.

That so many people will at Busch Stadium in St. Louis to see the women really is fantastic and unexpected though. Yes, it is a World Cup year, but New Zealand is hardly a big name opponent, the match is still two months before the World Cup and playing in a baseball stadium isn't exactly a huge lure. But yet here we are, with the people of St. Louis showing their support of soccer once more.

The last time the U.S. women played in front of 25,000 people at home was way back in 2003, when 25,253 turned out to see the Americans in the World Cup third place match. With two months left to sell tickets for the New Zealand clash, they could top 30,000 and make for an incredible atmosphere in St. Louis.