Preview: Vera Pauw fiercely defiant as Irish come to America

The rain poured in Austin and Vera Pauw came ready to face a storm.

Her Republic of Ireland take on the USA tonight in the first of two Stateside friendlies that will serve as crucial World Cup preparation. But there's so much more to this trip than that.

Pauw is back in the USA for the first time since she was named in the Joint Investigative Report which alleged that while manager of Houston Dash from November 2017 to September 2018 she had shamed players for their weight and attempted to exert excessive control over their eating habits.

The Dutchwoman is among eight individuals whose future employment with the NWSL is conditional. The conditions the NWSL have outlined include acknowledging misconduct, participating in training, and demonstrating a sincere commitment to correcting behaviour.

Pauw has strenuously denied all allegations made against her.

She knew hard questions would come her way at Friday's pre-match press conference - and they did, but they were met by a brutally honest response.

A fiercely defiant Vera Pauw faced the media in Austin this evening. @Corktod has the latest ahead of Ireland's friendly against the USA tomorrow night #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/aQnLkKApgZ

"I have been raped," she said. "I have been sexually assaulted. I have received power abuse, intimidation, isolation, the worst things that a woman can get in an organisation. I am absolutely aware of the power that I have as a coach and that is why I choose the side of education."

Last July Pauw released a statement alleging that she was raped as a young player in the Netherlands. She said she'd suffered abuse and serious sexual assault during her time as a player and coach in Dutch football.

A couple of hours before Friday's match press