Also in today’s roundup, Eniola Aluko is leaving Chelsea, and Alex Scott is heading to Russia
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The stars will align at #ToN2018. Coming this summer » https://t.co/FSmZBambnv pic.twitter.com/PGgvl9RYsh— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) May 16, 2018
It was originally announced today by the Nadeshiko, and then confirmed by Brazil, Australia, and the USA that the dates and host cities for this year’s Tournament of Nations have been set. The tourney will run from July 26th until August 2nd and, according to the US Soccer release, will see Brazil open against Australia on Thursday, July 26, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City (3:15 p.m. CT), followed by the USA against Japan (6 p.m. CT on FS1).
All the teams will then travel to East Hartford, Connecticut, where Japan will face Brazil on Sunday, July 29 (4:15 p.m. ET) followed by the USA taking on Australia (7 p.m. ET on FS1) at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. The tournament will finish on Thursday, Aug. 2, at Toyota Park in Chicago as Australia faces Japan (4:45 p.m. CT) and the USA tackles Brazil (7:30 p.m. CT on FS1).
The winner of the tournament will be based on total points (three for a win, one for a tie), with the first tie-breaker being overall goal difference, followed by most total tournament goals scored, then head-to-head result and, lastly, FIFA Ranking if necessary.
FOX Sports, home of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will present live coverage of the USA’s Tournament of Nations matches on FS1. Games will also be available via FOXSports.com and through the FOX Now and FOX Sports GO apps on iOS and Android, as well as internet-connected devices, including Apple TV, Android TV, FireTV, Roku, Chromecast and Xbox One.
The USWNT famously had some ups and downs in the first iteration of the tournament last year, losing 1-0 to Australia before winning 4-3 thriller against Brazil, and closing with a 3-0 victory over Japan.
Eniola Aluko announces she is leaving Chelsea at the end of the 2018 season
Another League & FA Cup double. 2015 was a dream come true to do it again I'm beyond words. After 5 yrs & 150+ appearances it's with a heavy heart I confirm I'll be leaving @chelseafc I couldn't dream of a better ending. To my teammates who I adore, the club and fans THANKYOU? pic.twitter.com/FYjllPp9dX
— Eniola Aluko (@EniAlu) May 16, 2018
Immediately after clinching the double (with both the FA Cup and the WSL title), Chelsea Ladies FC forward Eniola Aluko announced she would be leaving the club following the end of the 2018 season.
Aluko was the Golden Boot winner in the 2016 WSL season, and featured heavily in the last Chelsea campaign to win both the FA Cup and the WSL, in 2015.
Speaking after yesterday’s clinsher, Aluko said: ‘I’m so proud of my team-mates and the club. This team expects silverware and we’ve delivered it. It’s a shame Emma [Hayes] wasn’t here, but she’s got more important things to worry about. We FaceTimed her as soon as we could – she was in bed and I’m sure she was very excited. For her to lead this team to a Double whilst pregnant says everything about her character and who she is. It’s an amazing message to women all over the world.”
Aluko hasn’t yet announced her next step, but she’ll be one to watch on the international transfer scale for next season.
Alex Scott joins BBC commentary team for Russia 2018
I got the call up ??, I’m on the plane to Russia ?… squad photo time = game face #squad #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/XThPyivvtq
— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) May 15, 2018
Earlier this week, Alex Scott announced on her personal twitter that she’d be one of the commentators joining the BBC for the 2018 Men’s World Cup in Russia this summer. Scott announced her retirement from the professional game at the end of this season, and captained her team to a spot in the FA Cup final despite struggling with injuries.
In her illustrious playing career, Scott won 6 league titles, 7 FA Cups, 5 league cups and scored the winning goal in the 2007 Women’s Champions League Final for the Arsenal, as well as notching 140 international caps for the England Lionesses.
