The U.S. women's national team has not played a game at Lincoln Financial Field in over a decadeGETTY IMAGES
The USWNT's World Cup victory tour game against Portugal at Lincoln Financial Field next Thursday has "officially broken the program’s ticket-sales record for a standalone friendly," according to Jonathan Tannenwald of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. The U.S. Soccer Federation said that "more than 44,100 tickets have been sold." That figure "tops the previous record of 44,028 set in Pittsburgh four years ago for the Americans’ first game after winning" the '15 World Cup. The nine USWNT games on home soil that have "drawn larger crowds were part of tournaments or doubleheaders." How long the "new record will stand is an open question," as the USWNT will "play two more games this year in NFL stadiums." The USWNT "haven't played" at Lincoln Financial Field since '08 (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/23). In Philadelphia, Virginia Streva noted the USWNT will "hold a free public training session in South Philly before their match with Portugal." The practice will take place from 5:00-6:00pm ET at Lincoln Financial Field next Wednesday, Aug. 28 -- one day before the game. Admission is free, but parking "will cost $30 at the Wells Fargo Center lots and $18 in all other lots" (PHILLYVOICE.com, 8/22).
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY: The USSF said that the USWNT will "host a public training session at Allianz Field" from 5:00-6:00pm CT on Sept. 2. In St. Paul, Andy Greder noted the "free, lighter practice will give fans a chance to see the World Cup champions prepare for their exhibition against Portugal on Sept. 3" at Allianz Field. Greder: "Very few tickets are available for the exhibition game." Allianz Field has a capacity of about 19,700 and is the "smallest of the five stops on the USWNT’s 'Victory Tour'" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 8/22).
