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The U.S. women's national team will open its friendly tour of Europe on Thursday with a match against Sweden, the first of two games in preparation of the upcoming Tournament of Nations.

It should be a good test for the Stars and Stripes, who have lost two of their last four matches. The Swedes have improved in recent years, although their form hasn't been great of late.

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming match.

Date: Thursday, June 8

Time: 1:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. BST

Venue: Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg

TV Info: ESPN 2 (U.S.)

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Preview

Thursday's meeting between the two teams will be the first since the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, where the Swedes defeated the Americans in the knockout stages on their way to a silver medal.

The Stars and Stripes have traveled to Europe with plenty of fresh faces and without goalkeeper Hope Solo, who was between the sticks for that fateful match. There are only two designated goalkeepers in the squad: Alyssa Naeher and Abby Smith.

While there's plenty of experience up and down the squad, thanks to the likes of Carli Lloyd and Becky Sauerbrunn, fans will likely keep an eye on some of the emerging talents.

Mallory Pugh is the youngest member of the squad and already looks like a future star. Per the team's official Twitter account, the 19-year-old keeps finding success:

The Stars and Stripes have yet to beat Sweden since Pia Sundhage took over as manager in December 2012, a run of four matches.

Under Sundhage, discipline and organisation have been key for the Nordic side, who tend to rely on physical strength and individual brilliance to score their goals.

Kosovare Asllani will be one to keep an eye on―the Manchester City star can do plenty of damage with her movement in the attacking third, creating openings for her team-mates.

The Stars and Stripes should field a strong XI for this first friendly of the tour, with some of the lesser-known players expected to see the pitch in the second match against Norway.

A side containing the likes of Lloyd, Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe should have the quality to break down any defence and end Sweden's run of solid results against the American team.