(photo: US Soccer)
Jill Ellis has called in 23 players to train ahead of the United States’ friendless against New Zealand on September 15 and 19. From that group, 18 of 22 eligible players will dress for each match. The 23rd, Sofia Huerta, will be in her second consecutive camp with the team but is still ineligible to play pending the acceptance of her change of federation application from FIFA.
The roster includes the return of Ashlyn Harris, Morgan Brian, Tobin Heath, and Rose Lavelle all of whom have been battling injury. Of that group, only Brian played in Tournament of Nations and that only sparingly. Megan Rapinoe is also back after exiting Tournament of Nations with a torn meniscus. She just returned to the Reign last weekend.
Heath has been out for the longest time. She injured her back during SheBelieves Cup in March and has not played for club or country since. The Thorns recently added her back to the active roster but have ruled her out for this weekend.
Stanford sophomore defender Tierna Davidson has received her first call-up and is the only uncapped player on the roster besides Huerta. Davidson has been in the U-20 pool and will turn 19 in a few weeks.
Players dropped from the Tournament of Nations roster are: Abby Smith, Ali Krieger, Carli Lloyd, Midge Purce, and Sydney Leroux.
Kelley O’Hara, also injured at Tournament of Nations but back starting for Sky Blue, needs to appear in either match to reach 100 career caps with the team.
The matches against New Zealand are Friday, September 15 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park outside Denver and Tuesday, September 19 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
The roster, with club affiliation, caps/goals, is:
Goalkeepers (3): Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars;18/0), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 1/0), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 13/0)
Defenders (7): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage; 7/0), Tierna Davidson (Stanford; 0/0), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 51/9), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC; 99/2), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City; 129/0), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars; 13/0), Taylor Smith (NC Courage; 3/0)
Midfielders (7): Morgan Brian (Chicago Red Stars; 67/6), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC; 131/18), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 37/3), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers; 6/2), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC; 30/5), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage; 28/5), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC; 123/33)
Forwards (5): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC; 54/22), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride; 128/74), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars; 90/43), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit; 26/5), Lynn Williams (NC Courage; 10/2)
