Portland Thorns FC defender Rachel Van Hollebeke was named to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for a three-game stretch of international friendly matches against Canada on Jan. 31 and Russia on Feb. 8 and Feb. 12.
The series of matches also marks the first time that the defender, formerly Rachel Buehler, will switch to her married name on the back of her jersey. Buehler, who was married in November 2012, will now go by Rachel Van Hollebeke (pronounced "van HALL-ah-beck").
The United States will play its first match of year on Friday, Jan. 31, against the Canada Women’s National Team at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas (6 p.m. Pacific). The match against Canada will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1. The team will then face Russia on Saturday, Feb. 8, at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. (12:30 p.m. Pacific) followed by a quick trip to Atlanta to play Russia again on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Georgia Dome (4:30 p.m. Pacific). Both matches against Russia will be carried via live stream on ussoccer.com.
Van Hollebeke, 28, registered two goals in 10 appearances for the U.S. Women’s National Team during the 2013 calendar year. She appeared in the last five consecutive matches of 2013 for the United States, scoring a goal in a 7-0 win over Mexico on Sept. 3, 2013, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
