Team USA touches down in Winnipeg

Posted: 8:08 PM CDT Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2015

Second-ranked Team USA is on the ground in Winnipeg and looking ahead to its opening match next Monday in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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Second-ranked Team USA is on the ground in Winnipeg and looking ahead to its opening match next Monday in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

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This article was published 02/06/2015 (4139 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Second-ranked Team USA is on the ground in Winnipeg and looking ahead to its opening match next Monday in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Americans meet Australia in their opener at Investors Group Field in a four-team group that features three of the top-10 teams in the world rankings.

“I think not just the group but the whole tournament (is tough),” midfielder Megan Rapinoe said tonight at Winnipeg James Richardson International Airport after her team arrived. “Looking back just four years to the last World Cup, every team is better and the field is much deeper so I don’t think it’s just our group that’s going to be tough.”

John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press
Christen Press autographs soccer balls for children's soccer teams that came to support team USA as they arrived in Winnipeg for the World Cup Tuesday. — John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press Christen Press autographs soccer balls for children's soccer teams that came to support team USA as they arrived in Winnipeg for the World Cup Tuesday.

Team USA also plays Sweden here on June 12.

After its last tune-up match on Saturday and a national media day in mid-town Manhattan on Monday, the team was on a chartered plane late this afternoon and touched down in Winnpeg about a half-hour behind schedule.

After another hour of clearing customs and collecting bags, the team emerged from the customs hall to several hundred waiting fans, including numerous youngsters hoping for autographs.

Rapinoe said tonight’s arrival was not in enemy territory, but in “neighbour territory.”

Team USA has a strong rivalry with Team Canada.

“That’s really cool,” she said about the fans, especially the young ones, hanging out to see their arrival. “I knew you guys (reporters) would be here but I didn’t know we’d have the enemy’s kids here. That’s really cool to see.

“I had no doubt Canada was going to put on a brilliant tournament and they’ve had ‘U’ championships here and it’s been great. I expect more of this for all the games and packed stadiums.”

Most team members obliged before boarding their team bus and the eager fans also serenaded veteran forward Abby Wambach with “Happy Birthday,” on the occasion of her 35th today.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca