Deadly fires force USWNT to move training camps from Los Angeles to Florida

The U.S. women’s national team is moving its January training camps to Florida in the wake of the deadly wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles, where 50 players were expected to report next week.

The camps — one featuring senior squad members and another designed for under-23 prospects called “Futures Camp” — will still be be held concurrently but will now relocate to Inter Miami CF’s Florida Blue Training Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. from Jan. 17 to Jan. 23, U.S. Soccer announced late Friday. The camps were set to begin Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

“The safety of our players and staff is always our top priority, and with the fires still burning, many areas in a state of emergency, and the air quality next week an unknown, we made the decision to move the camps,” said U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker in a statement. “Our hearts go out to all those affected in Southern California and our sincere gratitude goes to all the first responders and volunteers helping to navigate this tragedy. We also want to thank Inter Miami for accommodating us on such short notice and enabling us to run two training camps in a world class facility.”