The United States Women’s National Team will embark on a quest for a third World Cup trophy this week in Canada. The perennial power has shined in venues all over the world, but much like its male counterparts, the USWNT has found success in Columbus, Ohio.
Despite an unfavorable World Cup draw in 2003 – one that found them pitted in the “Group of Death” with Sweden, Nigeria, and North Korea – the United States came out on top with three wins, with the last victory coming at the hands of then up and coming women’s soccer power North Korea in Columbus, Ohio.
A crowd of 22,828 people witnessed a 3-0 U.S. victory on September 28, 2003, as the Red, White and Blue did well to handle a North Korea team that outscored its opponents 50-3 during the qualifying stages. Some analysts even considered North Korea a dark-horse candidate to win the Women’s World Cup.
That result at MAPFRE Stadium sent the U.S. on to Foxborough and then Portland for the knockout stages. The U.S. eventually won the bronze medal-- its fourth visit to the podium in as many World Cups.
Most recently, the U.S. Women’s Team last played at MAPFRE Stadium in May of 2013, as a 1-1 draw against New Zealand improved its record in Columbus to 4-1-1, continuing the trend of Columbus representing a fortress of sorts for U.S soccer.
Though this year’s World Cup takes place elsewhere this time around, we'll be here cheering them on and wishing them all the best from Columbus, when the U.S. Women’s Team kicks off against Australia on Monday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
