Arsenal have travelled to Seattle for a unique opportunity, and will play NWSL club, Seattle Reign FC on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium writes HARJEET JOHAL.
This will be the first time an NWSL club has taken to the pitch for an international friendly against a club from the FAWSL. The Gunners are excited for a new challenge as some of them will head into England camps or Euro 2017 qualifying matches in June and others will enjoy a mid-season break from league competition.
The close connections between Seattle and Arsenal is what helped fuel the arrangement for this match, as Alex Scott describes.
“I think the manager, (Laura Harvey) Harvs she’s got a connection with Arsenal, so it’s the first time it’s kind of ever really been done. It’s great for our girls to experience playing in America. Kim (Little) use to play for Arsenal, so it’s good to see her. We had a break in the season and it’s a good exhibition match.”
Women’s FA Cup Final superstar hero, Dan Carter is keen to test her skills against U.S. international goalkeeper, Hope Solo. Whether you call it a FA Cup Final victory tour or a chance to test out competition across the pond, Carter is excited to play a new opponent.
“I think it’s like a mid-season tour for us, we’ve obviously got a break now, I know Seattle are in their season as well. I think it’s just come out and see ex players, managers, it’s a good promotional tour.”
This will be Arsenal’s first match since Carter’s brilliant winning goal at the FA Cup Final vs Chelsea on May 14 at Wembley Stadium. Players like full-back Alex Scott, who arrived in Seattle on Tuesday, have already put that spectacular occasion behind them as they prepare for to play Seattle.
“(Laughs) It’s all fun and great, we loved winning the FA Cup and everything,” said Scott. “I think we kind of have to look forward now. We’re using that as a kick-start to our season and hopefully this is another way because we haven’t played since the FA Cup Final, to come out here and put on another good display.”
Looking forward to the future is exactly what this international friendly shows. We’ve become accustomed to friendlies between English Premier League, La Liga, and Ligue 1 teams coming to North America for preseason summer tours in men’s football.
Seattle Sounders FC will host West Ham United on July 5 at CenturyLink Field and just up the road, Crystal Palace will visit Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on July 19. Seattle vs Arsenal could really open the door for more matches between women’s teams in the NWSL and leagues like the FAWSL, Damallsvenskan, Frauen-Bundesliga, and Feminine Division 1.
“Yeah, I think so,” said an enthusiastic Alex Scott. “It’s putting all the best players on display whether it’s in America or England. I think it’s great for the women’s game and it creates interest as well. Yeah, I think it should be done more.”
Arsenal Ladies players meet Arsenal America Supporters Group
In the grand scheme of things, it comes down to money. Revenue generated is certainly not where it needs to be in the women’s games for international club friendlies to become common place. To have Arsenal travel out to Seattle for five days is not cheap. Neither club would divulge costs associated with putting this friendly together, but it’s a massive positive step to have this match.
“Obviously the two schedules can’t clash because we’re both in season.” said Scott. “It has to be right for both teams and it just so happens that this week was a perfect opportunity for us to play this game.”
Challenges of travel, time difference, and playing on artificial turf is also something teams like Arsenal have to overcome. An 8-hour time adjustment takes a couple of days to overcome. Not wanting to risk injury to key players also plays a big factor in who travels. Nobody wants to have a player pick up a niggle in a friendly, on an uncommon type of surface.
“We’ve been here for a few days now so we’ve adjusted to the turf,” revealed Dan Carter. “Some of us are still adjusting to the whole time difference, but yeah, we’re excited and enjoying ourselves.”
Carter will get some much deserved time off when Arsenal returns to London on Friday. She was not named to England Manager Mark Sampson’s squad for a pair of upcoming Euro 2017 qualifiers. The 23 year-old has 1 senior cap and scored a hat-trick against Estonia on September 21, 2015. Not only do fans not know why she isn’t getting called up, but neither does Carter.
“I don’t know, I’ve just got to keep on doing what I’m doing, and hopefully get the call-up.”
Scoring another worldie tonight, could go along way to raising Carter’s national team stock with Mark Sampson.
REPORT & IMAGES by: @HarJournalist
