USWNT Set for June Showdowns Against Ireland in Colorado and Cincinnati

The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) is returning to the pitch this summer with two marquee matchups against the Republic of Ireland. U.S. Soccer announced that the reigning Olympic gold medalists will face Ireland on Thursday, June 26 at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, followed by a Sunday afternoon clash on June 29 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. A third match is scheduled for July 2, with details still to be confirmed.

These matches mark the first meetings between the USWNT and Ireland since April 2023, when the Americans swept two friendlies in Austin and St. Louis as part of their final preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. As the team transitions from Olympic triumph to future qualification campaigns, these games offer a valuable opportunity to assess depth and cohesion under pressure.

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A Tale of Two Cities

Commerce City: A Homecoming and a Launchpad

Colorado will play host to the opening game of the two-match series, continuing its legacy as a key venue in U.S. Soccer’s calendar. DICK’s Sporting Goods Park has long been a favorite for the USWNT, boasting an 8-0-1 all-time record at the venue. The June 26 match also carries a personal touch for several players, including team captain Lindsey Heaps, forward Sophia Wilson, and veteran striker Mallory Swanson—all of whom hail from the Centennial State.

This game will also mark head coach Emma Hayes’ return to the venue where she made her USWNT coaching debut in 2024 with a win over Korea Republic. Colorado’s growing presence in women’s soccer is undeniable, recently securing a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team slated to begin play in 2026. Hosting the USWNT here underscores the region’s growing commitment to the women’s game and its potential as a developmental hub.

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Cincinnati: A Local Affair with Global Stakes

Three days later, the action shifts to TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, where the USWNT will face Ireland once again on June 29. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast across TNT, truTV, and Max in English, and Universo and Peacock in Spanish. The game also streams via Westwood One Sports Radio.

Cincinnati, a rising force in U.S. soccer, has hosted the USWNT twice before at TQL Stadium, a world-class facility and home to Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati. The team secured dominant victories in their previous visits—an 8-0 rout of Paraguay in 2021 and a 3-0 win over South Africa in 2023.

More than just another fixture, the Cincinnati match serves as a symbolic homecoming for USWNT stars Rose Lavelle and Aubrey Kingsbury, who attended local schools Mount Notre Dame Academy and St. Ursula Academy, respectively. It’s another example of U.S. Soccer bringing world-class talent back to its grassroots.

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High-Level Competition Ahead of World Cup Qualification

Ireland enters the summer friendlies hungry for competitive minutes after narrowly missing out on UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualification, falling to Wales 3-2 on aggregate. The squad features several standouts from England’s Women’s Super League, including Arsenal FC captain Katie McCabe and North Carolina Courage’s midfield mainstay Denise O’Sullivan.

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes sees these games as critical to her team’s development as they shift their focus to the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualification process.

“Ireland is one of the most difficult European teams to play against, so I’m happy we could get these games,” Hayes said. “We need to play teams that will push us and create an environment where our players have to solve problems and play under pressure.”

Hayes emphasized that while the team is coming off a successful Olympic run, they’re still building toward their next competitive cycle. These friendlies will serve as testing grounds for both seasoned veterans and emerging talent.

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Ticketing and Insider Access

Fans looking to attend the matches in person can participate in a tiered presale system:

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Presale Schedule (Local Venue Time):

• March 25:
  • 10 a.m. – Circle Insiders
  • 1 p.m. – VIP Insiders
• March 26:
  • 10 a.m. – Premium & Premium Family Insiders
• March 27:
  • 10 a.m. – Standard Insiders
  • 1 p.m. – Visa Presale (Visa cardholders only)
• March 28:
  • 10 a.m. – General Public Sale

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Visa, the official payment partner of U.S. Soccer, offers an exclusive presale window beginning March 27, with cardholders receiving early access before the general public.

Those interested in early ticket access can also become U.S. Soccer Insiders, a free membership program that provides fans with early purchasing privileges and updates.

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Soccer Infrastructure and Growing Momentum

TQL Stadium continues to prove itself as a premiere destination for international soccer in the U.S. Since its opening in 2021, the venue has hosted multiple USMNT and USWNT matches, as well as high-stakes fixtures like World Cup qualifiers and Concacaf Gold Cup games. Its inclusion in this summer’s tour reinforces Cincinnati’s burgeoning role on the national soccer stage.

Meanwhile, Colorado’s involvement signals growing momentum behind women’s soccer expansion. With an NWSL franchise on the horizon, these matches help plant deeper roots for a thriving soccer culture in the Rocky Mountains.

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A Forward-Looking Summer for the USWNT

While the results of these friendlies may not carry the weight of a tournament, they are vital stepping stones for a USWNT squad in transition. Under new leadership, and with fresh faces joining a core of veterans, the team is recalibrating after the highs of Olympic gold.

Facing a challenging Irish side in two different soccer-centric markets gives Hayes and her staff a unique chance to analyze performances in diverse environments, while also engaging fanbases in regions critical to the sport’s growth.

These matches aren’t just about preparation—they’re about signaling what’s next for one of the world’s most dominant national teams.

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Broadcast Details:

• English: TNT, truTV, Max
• Spanish: Universo, Peacock
• Radio: Westwood One Sports

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As the summer approaches, all eyes will be on Colorado and Cincinnati to see how the U.S. Women’s National Team continues shaping its next era.

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