Filipinas set for friendlies vs American clubs

The Philippine womens’ football team known as Filipinas ahead of its match against Uzbekistan in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. –PFF PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine women’s football team will hold two friendly matches against American clubs for next month’s training camp in San Diego, California.

The Philippine Football Federation announced on Friday that the Filipinas are going to face the San Diego Wave on June 4 and Albion San Diego on June 9 as part of early preparations for next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup.

The Wave are among the top clubs in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top-tier women’s football league in the United States, while Albion plays in the National Independent Soccer League.

Their match against the Wave will see the Filipinas face potential inclusion Nya Harrison, who has started the process of securing Philippine citizenship when she attended a congressional hearing recently.

Coach Mark Torcaso has called up 30 players for the camp, headlined by Olivia McDaniel, Hali Long, Jaclyn Sawicki, Jael-Marie Guy, Angie Beard, Katrina Guillou, Bella Pasion, Malea Cesar and Alexa Pino.

Other players heading to San Diego are Nina Meollo, Gabriele Lyn Aker, Meryll Serrano, Carleigh Frilles, Sofia Wunsch, Jessika Cowart, Kaya Hawkinson, Alessandrea Carpio, Mallie Ramirez, Jourdyn Curran, Azumi Oka, Katana Norman, Dionesa Tolentin, Reina Bonta, Ariana Markey, Chardonnay Curran, Camryn Penn, Keira Wagner and Kyra Murphy.

Meanwhile, the PFF said that the San Diego camp will also have a talent identification program for 50 players who were screened by Torcaso and staff.

The two friendlies will be the start of the Filipinas buildup for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

The Filipinas qualified for Fifa’s showpiece women’s competition for the second straight time through the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia last March.