USWNT vs. Ireland TV/streaming, previews, prediction, lineup, and gamethread

Happy Mother's Day! Moms are pretty awesome, and speaking of awesome ladies, we've got ourselves a USWNT game today. (By the way, the USWNT includes three "soccer moms"—Christie Rampone, Shannon Boxx, and Amy Rodriguez.)

Today's match-up is against the Republic of Ireland, the first of three friendlies in a Women's World Cup send-off series. (Mexico and the Korea Republic are up next on May 17 and and May 30 respectively.)

Kickoff time: 3:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Avaya Stadium (San Jose, Calif.)

TV/Streaming: On your televisions on Fox Sports 1, or on your internets streaming on Fox Sports Go.

Projected lineup: Some roster notes, first of all. Alex Morgan will be sitting these friendlies out as a precaution to rest her injured left knee (bone bruise). Ali Krieger looks set to play, albeit with a protective headband because of the concussion she suffered three weeks ago (here's a good NY Times article about concussions, Krieger, etc., by the way). Tobin Heath is also dealing with a hamstring issue and is unlikely to play.

So, with that, what will we get today? It's tough to say—isn't it always with Jill Ellis. This is a tune-up for the World Cup and Ellis should be zeroing in on what she wants her tournament starting XI to be, but this is also, of course, a friendly. I'll say we'll see Hope Solo in goal, with Ali Krieger, Becky Sauerbrunn, Julie Johnston, and Meghan Klingenberg in the back. In the midfield, I'll go for Christen Press, Lauren Holiday, Carli Lloyd, and Megan Rapinoe, and up top, Sydney Leroux and Amy Rodriguez.

Match previews and recommended reading: The usual pre-game info here from US Soccer. In other recommended reading, check out this article from Megan Rapinoe telling you why the World Cup will be great (and you believe her, don't you? Megan Rapinoe knows greatness), and this one from Fox Sports with Briana Scurry's thoughts on this summer's tournament. Also important: Morgan, Wambach, and Press as Simpsons.

What are you drinking? Current fridge beverage status: Yuengling, Gatorade. Decisions!

As usual, this is your place for pre-, in-, and post-game talk.