Irvine, CA – November 20 – Fresh off qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the USA Women’s National Team heads to South Florida this December for a two-game series against world-power Spain. The longtime rivals who have met in Olympic and World Championship finals are kicking off preparation for the 2024 World Aquatics World Championships in Doha, Qatar this February. The series gets underway on December 7 at 5pm eastern at Ransom Everglades School in Miami before concluding at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center in Fort Lauderdale on December 9 at 5pm eastern. Tickets are on-sale now and can be purchased by clicking here. Live stats will be available via 6-8 Sports with live streaming information coming soon.
The series marks a return home for Miami native and Ransom Everglades graduate Ashleigh Johnson. The two-time Olympic champion is the starting goalkeeper for Team USA and considered one of the best water polo players on earth. She brings the red, white and blue back to South Florida for the first time since 2016 in the lead-up to the Olympic Games in Brazil.
In addition to Johnson, Team USA boasts a host of international stars including three-time Olympic champion Maggie Steffens (captain) plus two-time Olympic champions Rachel Fattal, Maddie Musselman and Kaleigh Gilchrist. It’s an elite coaching match-up as well with the United States’ Adam Krikorian squaring off against Spain’s Miki Oca. The Spanish side has no shortage of talent including the likes of Maica Garcia, Judith Forca, Paula Leiton and past NCAA Champion Anni Espar.
“I’m so excited to play water polo again in South Florida! The Miami area is where I learned the game and to be able to come back with Team USA and share this experience with my family, friends, former teammates and coaches is really special. Add to that playing in my high school pool at Ransom, plus an amazing facility in Fort Lauderdale and I truly can’t wait to come home,” said Johnson.
Team USA heads to South Florida with an overall record of 24-3-1 claiming gold this year at the World Aquatics World Cup and Pan American Games. Under the leadership of Coach Krikorian since 2009, the USA Women have won three Olympic titles, five World Championships and four Pan American Games titles. Spain is coming off a silver medal performance at the 2023 World Aquatics World Championships in Japan.
