Spirit in Paris: Matchday 1
While Paige Metayer and the Washington Spirit prepare for Sunday’s NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup match against Gotham FC, six Spirit players begin their Olympic journey today in France:
11:00 a.m. ET: Canada vs. New Zealand
Preview:
Gabby Carle and Canada kick off their gold medal defense against New Zealand. In addition to Carle, Team Canada features over half a dozen NWSL stars, including Jordyn Huitema (Seattle Reign) and Jessie Fleming (Portland Thorns).
Both teams will be missing long-time leaders: Christine Sinclair (Thorns), who has scored the most international goals of all time, retired from the Canadian national team in 2023; Ali Riley (Angel City), who was set to make her fifth Olympics for the Football Ferns, recently pulled out of the tournament for medical reasons.
How to Watch:
Fans in the United States can watch the match on Peacock.
3:00 p.m. ET: Colombia vs. France
Preview:
Before forward Leicy Santos joins the Spirit in DC, she’ll compete for Colombia at its third Olympic Games. To open the tournament, Las Cafeteras will face the host nation who currently ranks second in the world. No stranger to the international stage, Santos has previously represented her country at the World Cup in 2015 and 2023, as well as the Rio Olympics in 2016.
How to Watch:
Fans in the United States can watch the match on Peacock.
3:00 p.m. ET: USWNT vs. Zambia
Preview:
Casey Krueger, Trinity Rodman, and the USWNT will look to start the Olympics with a win against the Copper Queens of Zambia. These two sides have never met in international competition, but Spirit fans will surely recognize Zambia’s star forwards: Barbra Banda who notched one goal and one assist for the Orlando Pride against the Spirit on April 26, and Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC).
The Spirit’s first-year phenoms Croix Bethune and Hal Hershfelt are both in Paris serving as alternates for the USWNT but are not expected to be on the roster for this match.
How to Watch:
The Spirit is hosting a watch party at The Bullpen in Navy Yard, and Spirit Bar Network partners metrobar and Astro Beer Hall will also be hosting watch parties.
Fans can watch the game live on USA Network and Peacock in English or on NBC Universo in Spanish. The match will also re-air on USA Network at 9:00 p.m.
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