USF women’s soccer sophomore midfielder Alexandra Myers has been to U.S. Women’s National Team matches and watched them practice on film, but she’s never gotten to see them prepare for an exhibition in-person.

This week, she finally got her chance.

“When I found out, I got excited, but I didn’t really believe it,” Myers said.  

Under the new direction of coach Jill Ellis, the U.S. Women’s National Team practiced this week at Corbett Soccer Stadium in preparation for their friendly international exhibition against the French Women’s National Team at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday.

Both USF soccer players and young fans were enthusiastic about the visit by the women’s national team.

“A few of our (USF Junior) camp girls were staying to watch them practice,” Myers said.  “They came and gave autographs and we got pictures with them and it was so exciting.”

Rejoining the national team will be 2012 Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan, who has been away since her October ankle injury.

This match will be Morgan’s chance to help defend the 13-0-1 all-time record against France, the fourth best team according to FIFA Women’s World Rankings. 

Myers, who struggled with a knee injury of her own last year during her first season with the Bulls, took the team’s preparation as an opportunity to see how the elite group of women’s soccer players conduct themselves during practice.

“Their competitiveness was really high, so that was really neat to watch,” Myers said.  “Everything was so clean. They made few mistakes, which is good to watch because you know they are human and they make mistakes, too, but overall, their touches are clean.”

“I’ve been on the bench a lot watching soccer,” she said. “That’s a completely different view being on the field. I’m excited to see how they play, move with the ball and their movement of the ball so hopefully I can learn and put it into my own game.”