May 14, the U.S. Women's National Team host FIFA-ranked No. 4 Japan in the first of two friendlies at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio at 6:30 p.m. ET and broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel. The USA are currently ranked No. 1 in the world by FIFA, followed by Germany and Brazil.
The second friendly will be played on May 18 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina at 7 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN 2. Prior to both games there will be a moment of silence to honor the victims of the March 8 tsunami in Japan, in which 18,000 lives were lost and billions of dollars of damage incurred. These two games mark Japan's first international matches since the disaster.
More than a game
All of the USWNT's game-worn and autographed jerseys will be sold via Internet auction to benefit Japanese tsunami relief, with bidding information revealed after the game. The USWNT will also debut their new Nike uniforms, which aren't composed of the colors of the nation's flag or in the traditional style of soccer kits.
“We all watched the unbelievable devastation and understand the impact on the Japanese and their culture,” said striker Abby Wambach. “We really respect the Japanese team, their players, their people and their country so we want to do whatever we can as a team to help them in any small ways that we can.”
Both teams in the running for World Cup
Both nations are preparing for World Cup Germany in June and will use those recently rostered players. USMNT head coach Pia Sundhage selected 21 players, all of whom are professionals, for the first time in history. All of the U.S. World Cup-rostered players are currently employed in WPS except for defender Ali Krieger, who last played for FFC Frankfurt of the Frauen-Bundesliga.
Recent USA-Japan history
The USA and Japan last met on March 2 in the Algarve Cup, where the USA defeated Japan 2-1 with Amy Rodriguez scoring the first and Megan Rapinoe scoring the winning goal. Former WPS player Aya Miyama scored the lone unassisted goal for Japan.
In all there have been five Japanese players to compete in WPS: Eriko Arakawa, Karina Maruyama, Homare Sawa, Mami Yamaguchi, and Miyama. Both Sawa and Miyama are on Japan's roster.
Japan's World Cup roster
GOALKEEPERS (2): 1-Miho Fukumoto (Okayama Yunogo Belle), 12-Ayumi Kaihori (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
DEFENDERS (5): 3-Azusa Iwashimizu (NTV Beleza), 4-Saki Kumagai (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies), 5-Kyoko Yano (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies), 7-Kozue Ando (FCR 2001 Duisburg, GER), 16-Maiko Nasu (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
MIDFIELDERS (8): 2-Yukari Kinga (INAC (Kobe Leonessa), 6-Mizuho Sakaguchi (Albirex Niigata Ladies), 8-Aya Miyama (Okayama Yunogo Belle), 10-Homare Sawa (INAC Kobe Leonessa), 13-Rumi Utsugi (Montpellier HSC, FRA), 14-Emi Nakajima (INAC Kobe Leonessa), 15-Aya Sameshima (TEPCO Laides FC Mareeze), 11 Nahomi Kawasumi (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
FORWARDS (5): 9-Shinobu Ohno (INAC Kobe Leonessa), 17-Yuki Nagasato (FFC Turbine Potsdam, GER), 18-Karina Maruyama (JEF United Ichihara Chiba Ladies), 19-Megumi Takase (INAC Kobe Leonessa), 20-Mana Iwabuchi (NTV Beleza)
Click here for the USA roster.
On the way to World Cup Germany
Following these two games with Japan, the USA play one more friendly with Mexico on June 5 before they head off for FIFA World Cup Germany 2011.
Click here for ESPN's World Cup schedule.
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