Carla Ward hoping Ireland can scale new heights against the USA in Colorado

The Girls in Green will have to contend with the altitude at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, which resides over 5,200 feet above sea level when they face the US in the first of a friendly double-header.

Head coach Carla Ward during a Republic of Ireland women training session at North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada, Colorado, USA. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

Carla Ward will be hoping her Republic of Ireland squad can reach new dizzing heights when they take on the USA in a friendly double-header this week.

The Girls in Green take on the Americans in Colorado on Friday morning Irish time (live on the RTÉ player at 2am) before they meet again in Cincinnati on Sunday (kick-off 8pm Irish time).

The two nations have met each other on 15 occasions to date – all on US soil and all in friendly fixtures – and Ireland’s record doesn’t make for pretty reading, losing all 15 matches, conceding 51 goals and scoring just once in the process.

But Ireland, who are ranked 25th in the FIFA World rankings, may be more confident of causing an upset against the team currently sitting top of those standings as they come into these games on the back of completing their Nations League group stage campaign with wins over Turkey and Slovenia.

But for Ward, it will be more about the performances of her side as they look to build ahead of more important challenges to come down the line, including their Nations League Promotion / Relegation play-off against Belgium in October.

“Anyone around the world would find it difficult to beat the US," said Ward, whose squad will also have to contend with the altitude at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, which resides over 5,200 feet above sea level.

"They've had a programme leading into this, but you can never prepare for altitude without being here. So we've come a day earlier. Today (Sunday), they're going to be doing a bit of work outside walking, more than anything, and tomorrow (Monday) we'll be on the grass.

"But you can't prepare until you get here. That's the reality. You can do as much as you want on the grass and training, but we've got to get out there tomorrow, get them at it, and try and get as best prepared as we can.

"I’m well aware of the history between the two sides, 15 games with 15 wins for the US and only one goal scored for Ireland. So we know it is going to be difficult.

“The result is not what we’re going after. It’s more continuing the process and building on what we are doing.

“We’d be foolish to say we are coming here to win these games of football but we have to look bigger than that, where we’re at and trying to build.

“We’ve got quite a young squad here so there will be a few players we’ll look at across both games naturally “We have to make sure we put ourselves in a position to be competitive. So across the two games I’d like to think we can have a look at a decent amount of players.”

Republic of Ireland head coach Carla Ward poses for a portrait near their team hotel in Denver. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

One of those players looking to impress will be Ellen Molloy, whose excellent performances for Wexford on her return to the League of Ireland following a brief spell in the English Championship with Sheffield United, has earned her a first call-up under Ward.

“The League of Ireland is an evolving league, it still has a long way to go,” added Ward.

“It’s a part-time league. Let’s not be too naïve. International football is a massive step-up. The Championship is a step-up from that let alone the WSL or international football. “So it’s having a look at how Ellen can cope in an international environment. We’ve had a look at a few other League of Ireland players as well.

“Ellen has done tremendously well and she has been involved her before. So obviously it is now for us to see how she copes at this level.

“I never really want to get involved in what leagues they play in. It’s important they’re playing football. Confidence is key. She came home for her own reasons. All we want to do is select players who are involved in competitive football, ideally at the highest level.

“When we look at the League of Ireland, the sooner we can make it full-time the better for the future of the game. It’s a good opportunity to see where she is at.”

Ireland will be without Denise O’Sullivan and Megan Campbell for the first game as both have been ruled out through injury while Katie McCabe hasn’t travelling having been granted time off following her Champions League winning excursions with Arsenal.