Arsenal Women to Make Inaugural United States Trip

The Arsenal FC Women will play two matches in the United States this summer against the Washington Spirit and Chelsea in a rematch of the women’s FA Cup final, the first time the women’s side has traveled to North America for preseason.

The Arsenal women will play August 18 at Audi Field against National Women’s Soccer League side Washington, which are currently third in the league, before facing Chelsea on April 25. Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 in the women’s FA Cup final this season and finished third in the Barclays Women’s Super League, which Chelsea won.

“To take our women’s team to the U.S. for the first time on tour is another sign of great progress,” said Richard Garlick, Arsenal managing director. “We know from our recent trip to Australia that the interest and love for Arsenal Women stretches far and wide. We want to build on that and bring our U.S. supporters closer to the club. We look forward to our visit and building strong foundations for a momentous season ahead, which will see more women’s games come to Emirates Stadium.”

Arsenal is the 14-time English Women’s Super League champion. Arsenal star and Ashburn, Virginia native Emily Fox will face U.S. women’s national team teammates Trinity Rodman, Casey Krueger, Aubrey Kingsbury and Andi Sullivan.

“This is a major step in growing the women’s game at home and abroad as the best in England face the best in the United States,” said Spirit Chief Executive Officer Kim Stone. “We are very proud to offer global soccer followers unprecedented access to some of the top club competition in the world.”

Arsenal will hold training camp at George Mason University held over the course of the visit. The women’s tour will follow the Arsenal men’s U.S. Tour, which takes place across Los Angeles and Philadelphia between July 21–31, with matches against Manchester United and Liverpool.

Hotels.com, official hotel partner of Arsenal, will support the women’s team tour with accommodation for players and staff.

“We always want to create the best conditions for our teams to prepare and perform at their best in pre-season,” said Edu Gaspar, Arsenal sporting director. “This gives our players an opportunity to play and train in a new environment, in front of our supporters around the world. We look forward to a strong preseason for our men’s and women’s teams, laying the foundations for a successful season ahead.”