The U.S. Women's National Team take on Denmark and honor legendary goalkeeper Hope Solo

The U.S. Women’s National Team kickoff the 2018 season tomorrow at SDCC Union Stadium in San Diego as they take on Denmark, who are currently ranked in 12th place according to FIFA rankings.

U.S. Midfielder Carli Lloyd has two goals against Denmark | Source: U.S. Soccer

U.S. must lock in their focus

This first match of the year is crucial for the U.S. to really focus in on their competitors who were the runners-up of the 2017 UEFA Women’s Euro and are coming off of their most successful season high. With the qualification matches for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup quickly approaching, Denmark is also looking to make the cut for their country for the first World Cup since 2007.

The two teams last encounter on the pitch was in March of 2014 at the Algarve Cup in Portugal. In their last match, the U.S. took a 5-3 loss against Denmark, which is recorded as the most goals to be scored against the U.S. in a match. In the overall playing history, the U.S. are 16-5-3 against Denmark and have competed against each other 24 times since 1995.

U.S. head coach Jill Ellis currently has 24 players to choose from in order to cut down the playing roster to a total of 18 players. The 2018 NWSL College Draft brought many new opportunities for players and the Washington Spirit’s No. 1 overall pick, U.S. midfielder Andi Sullivan and No. 2 overall pick, Boston Breakers forward Savannah McCaskill may possibly be chosen to make their first appearance for the 2018 season.

Hope Solo to be honored

Before the match takes place, former U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo will be honored as the only goalkeeper in the world who has 200 caps for her country. Solo’s international career began in 2000 and in total has made 202 caps for the U.S. She marked her 202nd cap on Aug. 6 at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. With Solo being recognized as one of the greatest women’s goalkeepers in soccer history, she is marked as the 10th ranked player in the U.S. and is one of the few American players to attain the double-century mark in her career.