Ireland to play two friendlies against the USA in April

The Republic of Ireland will play the world No 1-ranked United States in two friendlies in Texas and Missouri this April.

Vera Pauw's team will continue their World Cup preparations with a pair of games against the Americans at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on 8 April and at the brand new CityPark ground in St Louis, Missouri three days later.

CityPark, constructed to host MLS side St Louis City, officially opened in December. Both venues hold just over 20,000 fans.

Pauw has strongly hinted that she will bring in another new face for that international window. Aoife Mannion, Marissa Sheva and DA De La Harpe were called up for the latest squad, bedding into the group during a week-long training camp in Marbella ahead of Wednesday friendly against China.

Ireland will host Zambia at Tallaght Stadium on 22 June and then have a farewell game against France at the same venue on 6 July.

The Girls in Green have their first World Cup group game against Australia in Sydney on 20 July.