Flames ready to cheer for U.S. in Women’s World Cup Sunday

The UIC women’s soccer team ended its first season with Horizon League honors for goalkeeper Kelly Fritz and Jasmin Carrera, shown here against IPFW. Photo: Timothy Nguyen

Players on the UIC women’s soccer team have two goals this weekend: cheer the U.S. team against Japan in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final Sunday, and learn some new moves while they’re at it.

“It’s great for our women to see the different styles, plays, fluidity and movement of how the teams work both on and off the ball,” says Brian Rigby, head coach for UIC women’s soccer. The team begins its second season this fall.

The Women’s Soccer World Cup final, held at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, airs live on Fox and Telemundo, starting at 6 p.m.

UIC players will catch the match at an outdoor viewing party in Lincoln Park near the Stockton Drive and LaSalle Drive beginning at 3 p.m.

“It’s important for us as teammates to watch a lot of soccer, and it’s pretty inspiring to see the type of players the U.S. has,” says Emily Wauer, sophomore in kinesiology and forward on the UIC team.

Sunday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the seventh tournament since 1991. The U.S., who defeated Germany 2-0 Tuesday, will play Japan, who beat England 2-1 Wednesday. The two teams faced each other in the 2011 tournament, tied 2-2 until Japan scored with penalty shoot-outs.

“The rematch is going to be really exciting — I hope we dominate,” Wauer says.

The UIC season starts Aug. 30 against Western Michigan, with a competitive schedule that includes two games against 2014 NCAA Tournament teams.

Wauer says the Flames are ready for the tough competition.

“We really want to make more progress, get a few more wins, close some games out and just have fun.”