In the midst of an equal pay debate, the USWNT will play Colombia, another team in the middle of a pay dispute today in Connecticut. Last Thursday, the USWNT filed a wage discrimination complaint with the EEOC. The Colombia women's national team alleges that they aren't being paid at all. According to Yoreli Rincon, the team hasn't been paid for the past four months.
The United States have turned over nearly a quarter of their roster since they played Colombia in the World Cup and head coach Jill Ellis has brought in eight players for Wednesday's match that weren't on the World Cup roster.
Colombia is unlikely to challenge the USWNT for 90 minutes, but they do bring physicality and individual talent. Speaking of physicality, Lady Andrade (often remembered for punching Abby Wambach) is not on the roster for the upcoming friendlies.
Jill Ellis' Olympic roster looks set but these two friendlies provide an opportunity to evaluate players on the bubble of making the team. Ellis could try Heather O'Reilly in the midfield and Whitney Engen and Emily Sonnett could challenge for the third center back spot. Playing against mid-level competition such as Colombia is also a good test for the backup goalkeepers, Alyssa Naeher (a Connecticut native) and Ashlyn Harris. The two backup goalkeepers have 13 caps combined and Hope Solo isn't invincible.
Location: Rentschler Field (East Hartford, Connecticut)
Kick-off time: 7:30pm Eastern (Pregame starts at 7pm)
Available TV: Fox Sports 1 (English)
Available streaming: Fox Soccer 2Go (English), Fox Sports Go (English)
For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com.