Crystal Dunn (foreground) and Lynn Williams were both called into the United States camp ahead of two matches against Russia (photo copyright EriMac Photo for The Equalizer)
“This is our last chance to get together before the NWSL starts and we’ll take full advantage of the training time as well as the two matches against a team in preparation for the European championships,” Ellis said. “Following these matches, my staff and I will begin a heavy investment in attending and evaluating the NWSL games as well as tracking our players overseas before we get back together for our European trip in the summer. I’m very much looking forward to our domestic league starting.”
Rapinoe was fast tracked in her recovery from 2015 ACL surgery in order to play on the 2016 Olympic team but has been in and out of the side since them amid protests during which she knelt during the national anthem. U.S. Soccer recently created a new policy legislating all players and staff stand during national anthems. After that Rapinoe released a statement saying she would abide by the policy. Ellis told ESPN’s Julie Foudy that Rapinoe was left off the SheBelieves camp roster because she was still working on her fitness.
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The Oyster call-up comes as a surprise after the center back fell out of favor in Washington toward the end of 2016. She was traded to the Breakers during the offseason and is expected to anchor the back line in Bean Town this season. Oyster did finish her Spirit career on a high note playing as the right-sided back in a 3-5-2 formation in the NWSL Championship that was similar to the alignment Ellis is trying to implement with the U.S. There is also a hole in the middle with Emily Sonnett being dropped and Julie Johnston not available for this camp because she is getting married. She will return from her honeymoon as Julie Ertz.
Meghan Klingenberg and Amy Rodriguez, both of whom were in SheBelieves camp but did not make the roster, have also been called in. Kealia Ohai, last seen at the January camp, is on her way to Texas as well.
Other players from SheBelieves not named this week by Ellis are Brianna Pinto and Jessica McDonald.
The full cam roster is:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (6): Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Megan Oyster (Boston Breakers), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash/Manchester City), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign)
FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride/Olympique Lyonnais, FRA), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (UCLA), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)
