U.S Women’s National Team star midfielder Megan Rapinoe, currently recovering from a knee injury suffered last month, joins FOX Sports’ coverage as a guest analyst when her teammates return to the field for their first match of 2016. The USWNT faces the Republic of Ireland live on FS1 on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 5:30 PM ET, from Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The match is also available via the FOX Sports GO app and online at FOXSportsGO.com.

Coverage begins at 5:00 PM ET with a 30-minute special pregame show hosted by Rob Stone in Los Angeles, who is joined by 1999 Women’s World Cup-winning coach Tony DiCicco and former Mexican Women’s National Team defender Monica Gonzalez. JP Dellacamera calls the match at Qualcomm Stadium alongside former USWNT defender Aly Wagner, while Jenny Taft reports from the sideline. Rapinoe contributes to pregame, halftime and postgame commentary on-site in San Diego and is expected to provide the latest on her post-surgery rehabilitation.

Led by Captain Carli Lloyd, who was recently named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, the USWNT squares-off against Ireland as head coach Jill Ellis evaluates her squad ahead of February’s crucial Olympic Qualifying tournament. Following their historic World Cup victory last summer, the U.S., winner of the last three Olympic gold medals, looks to become the first-ever women’s team to win a World Cup and Olympic Gold in consecutive years.

