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Jill Ellis Releases 22-Player Roster Ahead of USWNT Friendly Vs Mexico

Jill Ellis has released her 22-player roster for upcoming USWNT friendlies against Mexico on April 5 and 8. Highlights include the inclusion of Ashley Hatch and exclusion of Christen Press.
USWNT

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA (March 21, 2018) — Jill Ellis has brought in a new face to train with the United States Women’s National Team in preparations for two friendlies against Mexico.

Ashley Hatch has received her second international call-up for the national team.

The reigning NWSL Rookie of the Year featured in January 2017 before she began her NWSL career with the North Carolina Courage.

Jill Ellis Names 22-Player USWNT Roster

Hatch was also selected for the preliminary roster ahead of the recent SheBelieves Cup. However, she did not make the final roster selection.

With the national team, Hatch has only made one appearance.

In her rookie season Hatch scored seven goals for the Courage. Hatch is now a member of the Washington Spirit after an off-season trade.

Hatch joins a crop of forwards that includes Crystal Dunn, Savannah McCaskill, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Lynn Williams and Pugh.

Not appearing on the roster is forward Christen Press.

Press is currently undergoing a search for a new home. She made it clear that she does not want to feature for the Houston Dash. After a three-way trade with Houston, Sky Blue FC and the Chicago Red Stars, that’s where Press ended up.

Now, rumors are swirling that Press could join the Seattle Reign FC.

Ellis said to U.S. Soccer’s official website that she had “several conversations and she understands our expectations are that a consistent training and match environment for a professional is an important factor for selection into Women’s National Team rosters.”

“Since the SheBelieves Cup, our professional players returned to pre-season training with their clubs and have had multiple scrimmages in preparation for the opening weekend,” Ellis explained. “I am certain that once Christen transitions to a new team, she will embrace being back on the pitch and will help her team be successful.”

The United States will face Mexico in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 5 and in Houston, Texas, on April 8.

Full Roster vs. Mexico

Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell, Ashlyn Harris, Alyssa Naeher

Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Sofia Huerta, Kelley O’Hara, Casey Short, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett.

Midfielders: Morgan Brian, Lindsey Horan, Carli Lloyd, Allie Long, Andi Sullivan.

Forwards: Crystal Dunn, Ashley Hatch, Savannah McCaskill, Alex Morgan, Mallory Pugh, Megan Rapinoe, Lynn Williams

Three Roster Takeaways

  1. Adrianna Franch is still being ignored: After winning the NWSL Championship, Portland Thorns goalkeeper Adrianna Franch is still getting waved off by Ellis. Franch is a superior goalkeeper than Campbell of the Houston Dash, Harris of the Orlando Pride and Chicago Red Stars. What more does Ellis want from Franch?
  2. Bringing Morgan Brian to-and-from France is ridiculous: Instead of letting Morgan Brian get adjusted to her new club in France — she signed with Lyon back on Jan. 2 — Morgan has to hop back on a flight to the United States. She was just with the national team from March 1-7 for the SheBelieves Cup. With the sporadic friendlies that the United States schedules, and hardly in coordination with the FIFA calendar, Brian will never get a good rhythm with Lyon.
  3. Becky Sauerbrunn coming back is huge: The United States had a successful SheBelieves Cup on defense, winning the whole tournament. However, there were some hiccups. The veteran presence of Becky Sauerbrunn was sorely missed, especially when Tierna Davidson needed some coaching. Now, Sauerbrunn can serve as her coach — and what better coach could you ask for?

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