TODAY IS THE DAY (USA vs. NZL)

www.twitter.com/ussoccer_wnt

Well my friends, today is the day.

The USWNT's and one of the first games to be played for the 2016 Rio Olympics is happening tonight at 6pm. The USWNT plays New Zealand in Belo Horizonte in the first game for their group stage. The U.S. is in Group G and will face France, Columbia and (obviously) New Zealand. For soccer, the athletes will not be staying at the Olympic Village. Instead, their matches will be placed around Brazil; the USWNT will play against New Zealand and France in Belo Horizonte, they will face Columbia in Manaus.

Here is the schedule for, and where you can watch, the first three games that the USWNT will participate in:

www.twitter.com/ussoccer_wnt

For the past few days, this game has garnered social media attention. It is trending on Facebook

and snapchat even created a geotag for the "She Believes" campaign (an initiative which spreads the message that girls can accomplish their hopes and dreams),

which we think is a major accomplishment. 

Seeing as the U.S. Men's Soccer Team did not qualify for the Olympics, it is our hope that people will watch the one soccer team that is representing their country. Just like the aftermath of the 2015 World Cup, we hope that people will start to pay more attention to women's soccer (especially since soccer is not as popular as it is in other countries).

Our predictions for tonights game:

• 4-3-1-2 formation
• Goal: Hope Solo (obviously)
• Department of Defenders: Becky Sauerbrunn, Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg, and Kelley O'Hara 
• Midfield: Tobin Heath, Morgan Brian, Megan Rapinoe
• Attacking midfield: Carli Lloyd (I mean, come on! Did you see her in the World Cup?!)
• Strikers: Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn

The actual line-up (just released):

www.twitter.com/ussoccer_wnt

Now, without further ado, get ready for the game and cheer on the ladies for our country!