Local youth Sparta team scrimmages with U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team

SANDY, Utah – Usually, a soccer scrimmage is just a scrimmage, but sometimes it can turn into the opportunity of a lifetime.

That’s exactly what happened for a 16-year-old boys’ Sparta United team when they went up against the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in Sandy on Sunday.

“It’s not every day you see some of the best soccer players scrimmage on the America First Field near Rio Tinto Stadium,” Marco de Ruiter, the Sparta Premier 2003 Boys coach, said in a Facebook post.

Group Photo Credit: Hannah Osmundson

The U.S. Women’s Team is in Utah training at the America First Field ahead of the first of two friendlies vs. China PR, which takes place at Rio Tinto on Thursday at 7 p.m.

“What a great moment for our players, we copied the playing style of China, so the team is prepared for Thursday,” de Ruiter wrote.

According to de Ruiter, China has a tough match ahead of them.

“The women’s team scored some great goals, so China is facing a tough game on Thursday,” de Ruiter wrote. “Compliments to my players for playing a different style and formation. Go Sparta, go USA.”

Mark Osmundson, who took the photos shared here, wrote the experience wasn’t only amazing for the boys.

“This was an amazing experience for the boys and their families. My daughter Hannah, who also plays soccer in college, was teary-eyed just being there,” Osmundson said in an email.

Tickets for the match are still available and you can purchase them here: https://www.ussoccer.com/womens-national-team/schedule-tickets

Current USWNT Roster