With qualifying for the 2015 Women’s World Cup underway, head coach Jill Ellis has officially released the US Women’s National Team roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Women’s Championship.
The official 20 player roster was released this morning followed by a press conference. While Ellis is still relatively new to the head coach position, she feels confident with the women she’s picked after a long training camp session along with the two shut-outs over Mexico last month.
Ellis said she didn’t look at birthdays when she picked this squad, but the younger players have proven themselves ready to be included. Each player was chosen based on their ability and flexibility. She says “versatility was one of the determining factors” when it came down to the wire.
There is a natural versatility to the group Ellis picked, with many players able to play in different slots on the field. Ellis said that Morgan Brian, Virginia, is a “natural 10…but also able to play more of a 6 or 8 role.”
Brian isn’t the only player being flexible on this squad. Abby Wambauch, WNY Flash, is going to be played in a deeper, narrower, role for the upcoming qualifiers.
“The way we play, there will be a high volume workload on certain positions, so I’m going to be sensitive to that. We’re expecting a lot out of our outside backs and our wide forwards, but I think trying to build a core consistent group will be a big part of it for me,” Ellis said.
The subject of artificial turf has been talked about recently with several players speaking out against it. Ellis touched on the subject of how the players feel about the artificial surface, but assures it won’t be a distraction in the upcoming matches or the World Cup.
“We have to be able to play on any surface…At the end of the day, we’re professionals and they understand what they’ve got to be able to do.”
Regarding Hope Solo and the current controversy over her continuing to play for the team, Ellis had little to say. Her plan is to let the legal system take its course, but continue to have Solo on the team. Solo’s US Soccer teammate Jill Loyden, immediately took to the internet to post her conflicting thoughts on the subject.
While Solo’s domestic violence charges issues will continue to be discussed, the other women of the number one ranked team will definitely not be in the background. They are all talented and capable players and Ellis feels strongly about how they mesh as a team.
Ellis has said her focus is to maximize what each player’s capabilities and approach every game with the same attitude of “confidence and humility.” Nothing is a given, but Ellis and her team plan on going into each game with a winning attitude.
The first CONCACAF match kicks off next Wednesday, October 15th in Kansas City against Trinidad & Tobago. The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports 2 at 7:30 CT.
Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
DEFENDERS (7): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Whitney Engen (Houston Dash), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian (Virginia), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (WNY Flash), Heather O’Reilly (Boston Breakers), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)
FORWARDS (5): Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach (WNY Flash)
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