USWNT to Host Ireland & New Zealand in Separate Series in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The No. 14 U.S. Women’s National Team is set to host both No. 11 Ireland and No. 10 New Zealand, in two separate series this coming June and July at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C. These international events mark USA’s first hosted series this year and are part of a Pan American Cup preparation training block. The United Eagles will take on each nation in two International Hockey Federation (FIH) sanctioned matches.

“It is great that we have been able to set up home matches to select and develop the team for the Pan American Cup, especially after the volume of travel we undertook last year,” said David Passmore, USWNT Head Coach.

“With a number of retiring athletes it can be a difficult period, but this phase of transition will allow us to assess and develop a number of younger athletes against teams ranked marginally higher than ourselves who will challenge our play. It will also provide a good measure of progress we have made since the Nations Cup as more college athletes start to rejoin the program. We need to start moving beyond this level of team in our play so they are competitively ideal opponents.”

The USA and Ireland played in March at the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Santiago, Chile. It was a tight contest in the semifinal and although USA took an early lead, Ireland came from behind twice as the United Eagles fell 1-2.

The United Eagles and New Zealand last met at the beginning of 2024 in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier in Ranchi, India. With a spot in the semifinals on the line, USA tallied early in the second quarter and held on for the 1-0 shutout win behind a great defensive performance.

All four matches will be played at the field on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte at Field 13. Admissions is free but fans must have a ticket for entry. Click here to get tickets.

The rosters for each series will be named closer to the competition dates. Information regarding the livestream will be made soon.

For more information regarding the 2025 Cathy Bessant International Series: USWNT vs. Ireland or 2025 Cathy Bessant International Series: USWNT vs. New Zealand, visit the respective event pages. If you are interested in volunteering at either of the series, fill out this interest form.