Seattle to host USWNT as part of Tournament of Nations

Even though Seattle didn’t get one of the final two World Cup qualifying matches, we will still get to see international soccer at CenturyLink Field this summer. For the second time this year, the U.S. Women’s National Team will be a host of a four-team tournament.

Earlier this year, it was the SheBelieves Cup, and now it will be the Tournament of Nations. The tournament will begin on July 27 at CenturyLink Field and end on Aug. 3. Australia, Brazil, Japan and the U.S. will all take part of this tournament over a seven-day period that will see them go from Seattle to San Diego and then Carson, Calif.

U.S. Soccer is hoping to have this tournament every summer when there isn’t a World Cup or Olympic games. So, expect to see it for the next two years, with the next Women’s World Cup being in France in 2019.

“It’s fantastic to play another tournament at home against some of the world’s best teams in a year after the world championship cycle, and it shows U.S. Soccer’s continuing dedication to growing the women’s game,” USWNT head coach Jill Ellis said. “These are three talented teams that we haven’t played in a while so we’re looking forward to a summer tournament that will be extremely challenging and valuable for our players and entertaining for the fans.”

The first game in Seattle will feature Brazil (No. 9 FIFA World Ranking) and Japan (No. 6) squaring off. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 4:15 p.m., and fans may get to see Seattle Reign FC midfielder Rumi Utsugi feature for Japan.

The U.S.-Australia match will follow after the completion of that game, and kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The U.S. is currently ranked second in the FIFA World Rankings, while Australia sits No. 8. The match will air on ESPN, and Seattle Reign season-ticket holders, or those with 6-match packs, will have access to a pre-sale code for the USA game. Not a season ticket holder? If you buy a 3-match pack, you can also receive the pre-sale code.

Three days later, they will play in San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium, as Japan and Australia will play the first game and Brazil and the US will have the night cap. The tournament will end on Aug 3 when Australia and Brazil and the US and Japan take each other on at the StubHub Center.

The winner of the tournament will be based on total amount of points accumulated during their three games played. If teams are tied on points, they will then use overall goal difference, then most goals scored, head-to-head ranking and FIFA rankings if needed.

It’s important to note that while the tournament ends on Aug. 3, it could have some impact on the Seattle Reign’s road game on Aug. 5 against the North Carolina Courage. Megan Rapinoe is more than likely to feature for the U.S., and Utsugi should play for Japan, but the Courage could be hit the hardest. Lynn Williams, Sam Mewis, Debinha (Brazil), Rosana (Brazil), and Yuri Kawamura (Japan) — plus a few fringe USWNT players like Jess McDonald and Abby Dahlkemper — could all be called into this tournament.