Jeff Caschell
The US Women’s National Team faced Portugal twice in October and will then play at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri—the first venue created solely for an NWSL team.
Alex Morgan, a former forward for the USWNT, and goalkeeper Alyssa Naehr, both retired from international play last year, will receive honors prior to their October 23rd match in East Hartford, Connecticut.
The scheduling of the USWNT’s third game during the International Window at CPKC Stadium, home of Kansas City Current, required agreement from the Players Association.
This 11,500-seat stadium falls short of the 15,000-seat minimum specified in the team’s collective bargaining agreement. US Soccer has yet to confirm the opponent for the October 29th match, making CPKC the smallest venue for a friendly in the U.S. since a game in Cary, North Carolina in October 2017.
Emma Hayes, head coach of the USWNT, praised the investments made by Angie and Chris Long in the club, stating, “They are vital to the future of women’s soccer in the U.S. and deserve games like these.”
She expressed excitement for the team’s first visit to CPKC Stadium and the electric atmosphere Kansas City fans create, noting the venue’s smaller size but emphasizing its significance for the national team.
Before the match against Portugal at Subaru Park in Chester on October 23rd, Morgan will be recognized for her nearly 15-year career, during which she scored her first international goal in October 2010, ultimately achieving 123 goals.
Having retired from professional soccer last year, Morgan ranks fifth on the USWNT’s all-time goals list and was part of the team that won gold at the 2012 Olympics, as well as multiple World Cup championships in 2015 and 2019.
Naehr will also be honored before the October 26th match at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, marking her noteworthy international career. She played a crucial role in securing the USWNT’s fifth Olympic gold before stepping back from international duty last fall and ranks third in goalkeeper appearances, wins, and shutouts.
Naehr continues to play for Chicago Star FC but has been sidelined by an injury since late May.
Before the October 26th match in East Hartford, the US men’s deaf national team will play a match of their own, continuing the inclusion of diverse teams in pre-game events.
Portugal has recently concluded their European Championship run at the group stage this summer.
The last encounter between USWNT and Portugal was during the group stage of the 2023 World Cup. That match ended in a goalless draw, where Portugal came close to scoring, marking their first point against the USWNT in ten meetings.
“Portugal is an emerging team, highly motivated by these matches,” Hayes noted. “We’ve been quite impressed by our development since the Olympics, but our team recognizes there’s still more work to do ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifiers.”
To close out 2025, the USWNT will play two additional matches during an international window starting November 24th.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the ongoing growth of women’s soccer in the U.S. By honoring veteran players, the USWNT not only acknowledges their contributions but also inspires the next generation, reaffirming the sport’s trajectory toward greater recognition and support.
