PARIS, France – Former William & Mary women's soccer standout Jill Ellis '88 will lead the United States Women's National Team into play in the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France as the team starts its quest for back-to-back World Cups on Tuesday, June 11.

The United States is in Group F and will begin play against Thailand at 3 p.m. on June 11. The rest of group stage play will include a match with Chile on Sunday, June 16 at noon, before concluding group play with a match against Sweden on June 20 at 3 p.m. The United States will get a tour of France as its matches will be played in Reims, France, Paris, France, and Le Havre, France, respectively. All of the games will be televised on FOX.

Ellis has coached at every level of the US Women's National team, and served as an assistant coach during the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, winning gold in both competitions. She was named the head coach of the national team on May 16, 2014. Ellis and the United States are looking to become just the second back-to-back champions in Women's World Cup history, joining Germany as the only team to repeat dating, back to 1991.

Originally from Portsmouth, England, Ellis played forward for the Tribe from 1984-87. She finished her career with 32 goals, 19 assists, and ranks ninth in career points with 83, while earning Third Team All-America honors during her senior season. She helped the Tribe to the NCAA tournament all four seasons, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 1987. Ellis earned her degree from William and Mary in English Literature and Composition.

USWNT Group F Schedule