International soccer is coming back to the United States.
The Women’s International Champions Cup announced on Tuesday that the 2021 tournament will be held at Providence Park in Portland this August.
Champions are coming! #WICC2021 comes to Portland this August! @melissamortiz & @itsmeglinehan break it all down!👏 https://t.co/5ODlbmtiVw
— Women's International Champions Cup (@iccwomen) May 19, 2021
The competition will include the Portland Thorns, the Houston Dash, Olympique Lyonnais and FC Barcelona.
The four participating teams qualified for the tournament based on 2020 title wins — Portland won the NWSL’s Fall Series, Houston won the Challenge Cup, Lyon won the Champions League, and Barcelona won the Primera División.
Despite the squads being chosen based on last year’s results, all four have had spectacular 2021 records as well, with the Thorns winning the NWSL Challenge Cup and Barcelona capturing the Champions League title.
The powerhouse clubs will meet in Portland this summer on August 18 and 21, just after the Olympic break. For those watching from home, ESPN has signed on as the official broadcaster.
The tournament will be one to watch as Lyon seeks to defend their 2019 International Champions Cup title, while Barcelona pursues a fitting end to a perfect season, and the NWSL squads strive to prove themselves against international competition.