Both Arsenal and Chelsea Women are heading to the US to begin their preseason preparations. This is the first time Arsenal have made the trip stateside whilst this is Chelsea’s second visit in three years.
The London sides will begin the tour with games against NWSL sides.
Arsenal starts against Washington Spirit on August 18, and Chelsea will face Gotham FC on August 20. Jess Carter will face her old teammates after her recent move to New Jersey.
The tour will conclude when both teams face each other on August 25 at Audi Field. Although the clash between the two teams in Washington DC will mean little in terms of the result, the psychological edge either Arsenal or Chelsea could gain from a victory could be significant.
Growth of women’s soccer
Arsenal and Chelsea’s impending visits are emblematic of the global growth of Women’s soccer. Both teams have developed strong fanbases worldwide, specifically interested in seeing women’s football.
It would be fair to say that tours like this would not have been feasible just a few years previously.
With international fanbases of women’s teams continuing to grow, these tours will become commonplace in the upcoming years.
Both teams go into the tour with significant question marks regarding the upcoming season.
Arsenal Women’s team are heading stateside.
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Author : Joe Rosedon
Publish date : 2024-08-11 14:36:31
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