CARSON, CALIFORNIA (August 22, 2018) — The final tune up before the U.S. Women’s National Team competes in FIFA World Cup qualifying is set.
Jill Ellis, USWNT head coach, has named her 23-player roster ahead of friendlies against Chile. The South American country is already qualified for the World Cup, marking the nation’s first-ever tournament participation.
Jill Ellis Names 23-Player Roster for USWNT Friendlies vs. Chile
The United States has never faced Chile before.
Ellis has brought familiar faces back into the fold. Joining the roster again is 20-year-old striker, Mallory Pugh. The Washington Spirit attacker was previously left off the last two rosters with an injury.
Now, fully recovered, Pugh is back in the USWNT fold. She joins Kelley O’Hara as an injured player to make the roster, being back to full health.
.@kelleymohara & @MalPugh are back.
Please turn up accordingly 😁😭📰 » https://t.co/u3STdysFOy pic.twitter.com/BwZcuVX2lD
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 22, 2018
The College Kids
Every player on the roster has an appearance with the national team. However, Hailie Mace is looking to make only her second appearance. Mace, a student-athlete at the University of California, Los Angeles, is essentially featuring at her “home stadium.”
Mace is from Ventura, Calif., which is two hours away from Carson, where the first match against Chile will be held at the StubHub Center.
However, Mace is not the only student-athlete on the latest USWNT roster. Tierna Davidson, a regular starter at center back, has been called up for another camp. Davidson, who features at Stanford University, has 10 appearances to her name.
Both players are already training with their respective college teams.
Allie Long Left Off Due to Injury; Jane Campbell Campbell, Sofia Huerta Snubbed
Allie Long’s name was not found on the roster.
Instead, Long is rehabilitating a knee injury, which she suffered during play with her club team, the Seattle Reign FC. On Wednesday, the Reign officially punched its ticket to the 2018 NWSL playoffs.
Meanwhile, fighting for a spot in the playoffs is the Houston Dash. The planning for the final stretch of the season will include input from Sofia Huerta and goalkeeper Jane Campbell. Both players were not named to Ellis’ squad.
Instead, they will remain with the Dash and head coach Vera Pauw.
Since her arrival in Houston, Huerta has been doing as expected of her. She has been scoring goals — four in total — and providing assists — three for the Dash. Meanwhile, Campbell has been having a solid month of August.
The Dash are the only team in the NWSL to not have a player at the USWNT camp.
The roster is set for the upcoming friendlies vs. Chile in LA and SJ. These are important matches as the team prepares for 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying later this fall. Best of luck to Jill and the entire team! #OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/81oz7qQyPM
— Carlos Cordeiro (@CACSoccer) August 22, 2018
The 23-Player Roster
Goalkeepers: Adrianna Franch, Ashlyn Harris, Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Hailie Mace, Kelley O’Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, Casey Short, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders: Morgan Brian, Julie Ertz, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Samantha Mewis, McCall Zerboni, Carli Lloyd
Forwards: Crystal Dunn, Tobin Heath, Mallory Pugh, Christen Press, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe