With international club matchups filling the calendar before the NWSL regular season returns, US teams are getting the chance to test their talent against squads from across the world.
Arguably the biggest names in club play are arriving in Washington, DC, this week, as Arsenal faces the Washington Spirit on August 18th followed by WSL foe Chelsea on August 25th.
![Swedish forward Rosa Kafaji signs her new contract with Arsenal.](https://justwomenssports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GettyImages-2166591580-1024x786.jpg)
Arsenal debuts new players in US friendlies
This isn’t the first time Arsenal competed in a friendly in the US, having played the Seattle Reign to a 1-1 draw back in 2016. That said, the DC-bound group has a very different makeup than past teams.
Arsenal’s largest offseason roster shakeup saw star striker Vivianne Miedema depart the Gunners for Manchester City, ushering in a new era via key pickups Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona and Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
The changes haven’t stopped there: Just this week, the club announced the signing of Sweden international Rosa Kafaji, while departing Canada international Cloé Lacasse signed with the Utah Royals.
On Thursday, Arsenal announced their 29-player tour squad, set to land in Washington, DC that afternoon.
![Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy battles with Mayra Ramirez of Chelsea at the 2023/24 FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup Final](https://justwomenssports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-2131128744-1024x683.jpg)
Friendlies key to Arsenal's WSL preseason prep
The two friendlies will provide Arsenal a chance to prep for the upcoming WSL season while also extending the club’s footprint in the US, where increased access to live match coverage has given way to a large and devoted fanbase.
"We know from our recent trip to Australia that the interest and love for Arsenal Women stretches far and wide," said Arsenal managing director Richard Garlick in a statement. "We want to build on that and bring our US supporters closer to the club."
The Gunners finished the 2023/24 WSL season third in the standings, falling just short of the final title race between Chelsea and Manchester City. They also nearly missed the cutoff for UEFA Champions League eligibility — all motivating factors to get as much out of their preseason as possible.
![Washington Spirit rookie Croix Bethune controls the ball during a match.](https://justwomenssports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/GettyImages-2160969837-1024x682.jpg)
Tough NWSL opponents await Arsenal stateside
The London club will get their first US test against the Spirit, who are coming out of the NWSL regular season break sitting third in the league table. The Spirit also showed out on the international stage this summer, with Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune both contributing to the USWNT’s Olympic gold win alongside alternate Hal Hershfelt.
"We always want to create the best conditions for our teams to prepare and perform at their best in pre-season," added Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar. "This gives our players an opportunity to play and train in a new environment, in front of our supporters around the world."
As for Arsenal's second preseason opponent Chelsea, the Blues are dealing with changes of their own, with former Lyon manager Sonia Bompastor taking the reins from Emma Hayes, who moved on to coach the USWNT.
How to watch Arsenal's US tour in Washington, DC
The match kicks off at 2 PM ET on Sunday. Get your tickets to see Arsenal take Audi Field online or tune in to the match via DAZN.