MARIETTA, Ga. — As the United States Women's National Team prepares for its exhibition matches in the SheBelieves Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, they had the unique opportunity of sharing the practice facility with Atlanta United on Thursday.
It was a busy morning at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground for the two squads.
"Atlanta is doing a great job of welcoming us in. They're going to create the best environment for us to play, and I know they're going to have our backs on Saturday," USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey said.
Team USA is hoping that this weekend at The Benz will be a record crowd for the team's SheBelieves Cup matchup with Japan.
"Us having 45,000 tickets sold for this game speaks volumes to the amount of interest in women's soccer here in Atlanta," defender Abby Dahlkemper said.
"We've played against some pretty big crowds. I think we are fighting for the record of most attended friendly, which, as a player, is such exciting news," Coffey said.
Meanwhile, Atlanta United will head on the road to take on New York, hoping not only for their first points but also their first goal away from Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Their last road trip ended in a 2-0 loss to Toronto, and United was missing players during the FIFA International Window.
"This one is going to feel more normal. More us," head coach Gonzalo Pineda said. "The formula of winning and home and at least tying away is a good formula to get into the top four and competing for the shield."
United will be without both winger Xande Silva and forward Giorgos Giakoumakis, who is out with a bone bruise in his knee, for Saturday's matchup against NYCFC in Queens, New York.