U.S. women to play China 3 times in December

Tom Sermanni was hired Oct 30 to replace Pat Sunhage as coach of the U.S. women's soccer team.

M. Spencer Green/AP

CHICAGO (AP) -- The U.S. women's team will play three exhibitions against China in an eight-day span next month, with new coach Tom Sermanni watching as an observer.

The Americans said Monday they will play China at Detroit's Ford Field on Dec. 8, at Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium on Dec. 12 and at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla., on Dec. 15.

In hiring Sermanni last week to replace Pia Sundhage, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Jill Ellis will continue as interim coach for the final five games this year, including matches against Ireland on Nov. 28 in Portland, Ore., and on Dec. 1 in Glendale, Ariz. Sermanni takes over the U.S. team on Jan. 1.

Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, Sermanni has coached Australia for eight years and will lead that nation in the East Asian Cup qualifying from Nov. 20-24 at Shenzen, China.

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