Crystal Dunn could be playing for the U.S. in an international friendly vs. Mexico in Houston April 8. (Andy Mead/YCJ Photo)
CHICAGO – The U.S. women’s national team will face Mexico at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston Sunday, April 8 (1:30 p.m. ET; FOX) as both teams continue preparations for CONCACAF qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
While the Americans have faced Mexico 34 times, the teams have met only once in the last 2 1/2 years. That match was in February 2016 during Olympic qualifying in Frisco, a 1-0 U.S. victory on a goal by Carli Lloyd. The last friendly between the teams took place on May 17, 2015, in a Women’s World Cup warm-up match, a 5-1 U.S. triumph in Carson, Calif.
The April match will be a preview of a possible meeting in CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualifying that will be held this fall. Both teams are in preparations for that tournament, which will send three countries to the world championship in France and a fourth into a two-game playoff with the third-place team from South America.
“It will be good to get back together after the start of the new NWSL season and we will look forward to refocusing on our team goals as we continue to move towards World Cup qualifying,” U.S. head coach Jill Ellis said. “Mexico has made great strides at the senior and youth levels, and that benefits our region and our team as it gives us the opportunity to play more quality matches against CONCACAF opponents.”
