Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Thompson was among the many 23 gamers chosen Wednesday for the United States group that can defend its title on the Women’s World Cup subsequent month.
Thompson, who has been spectacular this season as a rookie for Angel City within the National Women’s Soccer League, was referred to as onto the group in early April for a match towards Ireland, taking the place of injured ahead Mallory Swanson.
The roster chosen by Vlatko Andonovski contains a mixture of each acquainted faces and newcomers like Thompson.
“We are expecting the level of play at this World Cup to be the best it’s ever been, and all the teams must keep up with that growth,” Andonovski stated in a press release Wednesday. “For years, we’ve been able to see first-hand where the game is going and that’s exciting. We are proud to have been one of the teams leading the way for women’s international soccer and I know the tournament will once again show the world how great these players are across all 32 teams.”
The veterans embody nationwide group stalwart Megan Rapinoe, who will probably be making her fourth World Cup look at age 37, and Alex Morgan, 33, one other four-time World Cup veteran. Defender Kelley O’Hara, 34, additionally earned a spot on the roster as a veteran presence to shore up the backline within the absence of veteran defender and group captain Becky Sauerbrunn, who introduced final week she gained’t play within the World Cup due to a lingering foot harm.
The United States has gained the final two World Cups and is vying for an unprecedented third title when the match kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand. The Americans are in Group E with Vietnam, the Netherlands and Portugal. The United States opens with Vietnam on July 22 native time in Auckland.
The U.S. will probably be with out Sauerbrunn and Swanson, who injured the patella tendon in her left knee. Her harm is one other large blow to the United States – she led the group with seven objectives this 12 months.
In addition to Swanson and Sauerbrunn, Catarina Macario will probably be lacking. Macario is a gifted ahead who tore her ACL final 12 months whereas enjoying for her French membership, Lyon. Midfielder Sam Mewis additionally has a lingering harm and wasn’t accessible for the World Cup.
Some of the children embody 22-year-old Sophia Smith, who was named each the NWSL Most Valuable Player and the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year for 2022, and 21-year-old Trinity Rodman, U.S. Soccer’s Young Player of the Year in 2021 and the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman.
Midfielder Julie Ertz, who was on the group that gained the title in 2019, made the squad after returning to the group in April following an extended layoff for the beginning of her son.
A shock inclusion on the roster was 25-year-old Savannah DeMelo, who has but to look in a match for the United States. DeMelo performs for Racing Louisville within the NWSL, and has scored in three of her final 4 matches. She has 5 whole objectives this season.
The roster by place with membership affiliation:
Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Gotham), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign).
Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC), Julie Ertz (Angel City), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle, (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (Gotham), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit).
Forwards: Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City), Lynn Williams (Gotham FC).
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