Kealia Ohai, left, will join the camp ahead of the United States friendly matches against Switzerland (Photo Copyright Erica McCaulley for The Equalizer)
Western New York Flash forward and 2016 NWSL MVP Lynn Williams plus finalist Kealia Ohai are among fresh faces called in by Jill Ellis ahead of friendly matches against Switzerland later this month. Williams and Ohai tied for the league lead in goals with 11 to earn the call. Williams is in Houston, where the Flash will play the Washington Spirit in Sunday’s NWSL Championship. Teammate Abby Dahlkemper was also named to the camp.
Of the 24 players Ellis called into camp, 11 re uncapped, eight of which play in the NWSL. Stanford goalkeeper Jane Campbell, teammate Andi Sullivan and BYU forward Ashley Hatch are the three collegiate players on the roster.
Also joining the U.S. for the first time are Chicago Red Stars fullbacks Arin Gilliland and Casey Short.
[LAULETTA: Lynn Williams named 2016 NWSL MVP]
The inclusion of so many new faces means that some veterans, including Alex Morgan, Julie Johnston and Ali Krieger, among others, have been left off this roster.
The U.S. will play two matches against Switzerland, on Oct. 19 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah (9 p.m. ET on ESPN2) and Oct. 23 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. (2:45 p.m. ET on FS1).
The complete roster is:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Stanford), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (Western New York Flash), Arin Gilliland (Chicago Red Stars), Merritt Mathias (Seattle Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Andi Sullivan (Stanford)
FORWARDS (6): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Shea Groom (FC Kansas City), Ashley Hatch (BYU), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Lynn Williams (Western New York Flash)
