The Victory Tour for the United States Women's National Team continues with a trip to Seattle for the start of a doubleheader with Brazil. Jill Ellis has called on 31 of her best players to face off with Marta and the rest of the Brazilan stars at Century Link Field, the loudest venue in U.S. professional sports.
United States has decided to switch the focus of the games from here on out. They know that the Olympic games are only 289 games away from starting in Rio de Janeiro, and they want to defend their gold from London 2012. It is important for the whole roster to take games a bit more seriously from here on out.
"Certainly Brazil is a quality opponent, and we’re going to get some good looks at certain players in positions to see them," coach Jill Ellis said about their next rival.
This is only halfway of a ten-game tour. So far, they have faced Costa Rica twice and Haiti twice. They have won all games convincingly including one 8-0 win against each opponent. After this Wednesday's game, both teams will travel to Orlando to play at the Citrus Bowl for the sixth game of the tour.
It will be a very emotional game for one of Ellis' players. Shannon Box, the 38-year old veteran and who was a part of the team that won the World Cup against Japan in Canada, will play her final minutes with the USWNT. The Fontana California native was about to quit before the World Cup but now she is glad she held on until now.
Shannon Boxx is receiving a lot of love from the soccer world
Congratulations to 4-time Monogram winner @ShannonBoxx7 on playing her final #USWNT match tonight! #ThanksBoxxy pic.twitter.com/JKa6WhsN9j
— ND Monogram Club (@NDMonogram) October 21, 2015
I am so sad to hear @ShannonBoxx7 is retiring. Go get them tonight! #ThanksBoxxy #USAvBRA
— kailee_lovel (@kaileelovel) October 21, 2015
A NCAA title, three Olympic gold medals, and a World Cup winner. A champion on and off the field. #ThanksBoxxy pic.twitter.com/zi8NBBh8GE
— The American Outlaws (@AmericanOutlaws) October 21, 2015
@ussoccer_wnt @ShannonBoxx7 taught me how to dribble & kick a ball correctly. I cherish that memory #ThanksBoxxy pic.twitter.com/RIkDxmKrxB
— Stevie (@auroraasters) October 21, 2015
.@ShannonBoxx7 will play her final match tonight vs Brazil. Watch ESPN2 at 10PM EST to cheer her on. #ThanksBoxxy pic.twitter.com/QfmPQ5mDBt
— ECNL (@theECNL) October 21, 2015
GAME DAYYYY but more importantly.....#ThanksBoxxy pic.twitter.com/ZAXA3CwiN2
— Brie (@heathstobin) October 21, 2015
"It's important that we honor these players and celebrate their amazing careers," Ellis claimed about Boxx and two other players (Lauren Holiday and Lori Chalupny) who will hang the cleats after Saturday's game.
The players that will continue are World Cup MVP Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo and Heather O'Reilly. Lloyd has scored eight goals in the last three games. O'Reilly is following her steps with five in four matches.
On the other hand, Brazil left the Maple Leaf nation without even making it to the quarter-finals. The team had a quick rebound with a gold medal performance during the Pan-Am games. They left Toronto without losing a game and hope to continue their undefeated streak against the World Champions.
Their best weapon is Marta. A powerful striker who has even caught the eye of players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. She is quick with her feet but also need the help from her teammate to make things work. They also have Cristiane, who was the top scorer at the Pan-Am games with seven.
Marta had a brief chance to meet with some of her idols
Brazil wants to end the USWNT undefeated streak
#Brazil training session in #Seattle. Where's Waldo.... Marta. She's here. #USWNT already trained. pic.twitter.com/1WKWB8iBFY
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) October 21, 2015
They USWNT loves to play Brazil not only because of what the country represents for soccer, but because of their dominance over the Amazon nation. In 32 games between one another, United States has only lost three times.
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