Republic of Ireland boss Vera Pauw insists she's relishing the prospect of bringing her team to Texas in April to face the USA, with the Dutch coach unfazed by any potential "nastiness" in relation to allegations made against her when she was in charge of Houston Dash.
In December Pauw was named in the Joint Investigative Report, which alleged that while manager of NWSL outfit Houston Dash from November 2017 to September 2018 she had shamed players for their weight and attempted to exert excessive control over their eating habits. She strongly denies the allegations.
Pauw is among eight individuals whose future employment with the NWSL is conditional on her acknowledging misconduct, participating in training, and demonstrating a sincere commitment to correcting behaviour.
On Thursday the FAI confirmed that Ireland will play the world No 1-ranked America in two friendlies in Texas and Missouri this April as their World Cup preparation intensifies.
In the wake of Wednesday's 0-0 friendly draw with China in Spain, Pauw was asked about her feelings on going back to the States.
"There were people asking me 'do you dare to go back?', and I am thinking 'do I dare?’" she replied.
"It is not about me, it’s about the players, they need to prepare for the World Cup. They need to get the best, best, best preparation that they can get.
"I need to sacrifice myself and whatever they put on me, fine."
"We get this on a plate and I would say no because of me? No, I need to go through it. There will probably be nastiness because there are probably people who want to prove themselves because they have been reading what is being said around it by the people who know me. But I will be ready for it."
Pauw said she is not worried about any potential negativity around her presence in America, adding: "I will be prepared for it, I will get support for it, but it is about the players. It is not about me, so I need to sacrifice myself and whatever they put on me, fine.
"All that matters is they have the best preparation for the World Cup and that is why I am here."
The two games against Vlatko Andonovski's USA team will provide the Girls in Green with the sternest possible test as they continue to build towards July's World Cup group opener against Australia.
On the same day Ireland drew with China, the US claimed their sixth SheBelieves Cup trophy with a 2-1 win over Brazil.
Pauw revealed the Americans approached Ireland for the friendlies, adding: "It came from them to us, I had no role in it. And that they want us at that moment is a huge compliment and it is a huge compliment to US Soccer and to the head coach Vlatko [Andonovski].
"We are there to prepare for the World Cup."
"Vlatko knows me, he knows who I am, he knows that this is not me, what has been written.
"It is a statement by them but I don't know, I have not spoken with them. The fact that they say the same thing, we want Ireland, we want that team to be part of our preparation, should we not do it because a few players wrote something.
"We come there to play football, and nothing else. I will be there with full energy, full capacity for the players.
"If you prepare yourself for that you can do anything. If the crowd is going to boo or whatever, I will wave to them. We are there to prepare for the World Cup."
