USA manager Emma Hayes comes up against a familiar face when her side take on Carla Ward's Republic of Ireland on Friday morning after the pair helped the US to Olympic glory last year.
Ward was part of Hayes coaching staff for the US as they claimed the gold medal at the Paris Games.
Both managers went head-to-head in the WSL, forging a friendship from their times in charge of Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively, and Ward credited Hayes with helping her through part of the interview process for the Ireland job.
The Ireland boss paid tribute to Hayes when she took charge of the Girls in Green, saying: "Emma's been an unbelievable mentor and a big assistance for me for quite some time now - somebody I've leaned on in a lot of moments in my career, and she's guided, she's helped me."
However, with the duo set to renew their on-pitch rivalry in two back-to-back international friendlies, Hayes insists Ward got where she is on merit.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Ireland, the USA boss said: " As I've said many times, I'm here to support coaches within the game and pass on any experience, particularly when it comes to what it's like to coach at an international level.
" I don't have a lot of experience internationally but at least shared some of the insights on how to structure, the camps and, and your time in between camps.
"Carla's resume speaks for itself and she created and carved out that opportunity all without my help."
Both Ireland and the US have slightly improvised squads for their two friendly matches with the US opting against calling up almost all their European players, while Ward is giving some of her key squad players a rest.
Ireland captain Katie McCabe misses out as do Aoife Mannion, Heather Payne, Tara O'Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg, Jess Ziu and Leanne Kiernan with many of those players needing a break after hectic domestic campaigns.
However Hayes insists that she’s not taking comfort from Ireland being without some of their best players.
"I don't think like that, to be honest with you," she said. "I focus on my own team and my time and energy has been about improving what we've been doing all week, regardless of the opponent.
"Of course they are all top players, but we too are without a lot of top players so it evens out.
"It's an opportunity for players that are given that time to play, and I'm looking forward to seeing our development in, in our style of play."
Watch USA v Republic of Ireland on Friday from 2am on RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
