Carla Ward, the manager of the Republic of Ireland women’s football team, expressed her concerns about the anticipated heat in Cincinnati, Ohio, ahead of the second friendly match against the USA on Sunday. The teams previously faced each other in Denver, where the Girls in Green suffered a 4-0 defeat amid challenging conditions due to the heat and altitude.
With temperatures expected to reach the high 20s Celsius, both Ward and USA coach Emma Hayes recognize the potential impact on their players. Ward candidly remarked on the challenges posed by playing in such heat, referencing similar experiences voiced by players during the recent Champions Club World Cup.
The focus for Ward is ensuring player safety and hydration, as she emphasized the need for water breaks and close monitoring of her team. Ward was also concerned about player availability, mentioning that Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Campbell are unlikely to participate, and the fitness of veteran midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn remains uncertain. They are also carefully assessing Erin Healy’s condition following her limited minutes in the last match.
Looking beyond the immediate challenges of the match, Ward highlighted the invaluable experience gained from this series of games against the top-ranked USA team. She noted the cultural and tactical learning opportunities that will be essential as they prepare for the upcoming Nations League play-off against Belgium in October.
Fans can catch the friendly match on Sunday, starting at 7:30 PM on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with a live blog available on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
Overall, while facing formidable opponents and challenging weather, this experience may serve as a crucial building block for the Republic of Ireland team as they develop their strategies and fitness in preparation for future competitions.