USA vs. Australia (2008 Domestic Opener)
Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT
WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
The U.S. opens its 2008 domestic schedule by facing Australia. The April 27 match at WakeMed Soccer Park will be the first visit to the Tar Heel state for the U.S. WNT in two years, since a July 30, 2006, victory against Canada. The USA has played nine matches in North Carolina since 1995, three in Cary, two in Charlotte, three in Davidson and one in Greensboro, winning eight of those games with one tie.
The U.S. team has deep ties with North Carolina as numerous Women’s National Team players have played at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. At the 2008 Algarve Cup in Portugal, which the U.S. won on March 12 with a 2-1 victory against Denmark, there were five UNC alums with Cat Whitehill, Lindsay Tarpley, Lori Chalupny, Heather O’Reilly and current sophomore Tobin Heath, the youngest player on the roster.
Australia is ranked 12th in the most recent FIFA Women’s World Rankings, and finished in the top eight at the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Voted one of the most exciting teams in the tournament by fans, the Australian team pushed finalist Brazil to the limit before falling 3-2 in the quarterfinals. The U.S. is 16-0-2 vs. Australia, with the last meeting a 2-0 victory at the Peace Queen Cup in South Korea in October 2006.
Tickets starting at $18 go on sale to the general public next Wednesday, March 26, at 10 a.m. ET through
ussoccer.com, by phone at 919-834-4000, and at all Raleigh-Durham area Ticketmaster ticket centers (including Macy’s and FYE stores).
Groups of 20 or more can obtain an order form for either game at
ussoccer.com or call 312-528-1290.