Also in today’s roundup, Algarve Cup rosters drop from Australia and China
Get to know the three ? #URFC players:
?? Brittany
?? Elise
?? Katrina?: https://t.co/cS8KuLv3PS pic.twitter.com/k37YN6XLpO
— Utah Royals FC (@UtahRoyalsFC) February 14, 2018
Utah Royals sign Elise Thorsnes, Katrina Gorry, and Brittany Kolmel
It was a very big day of roster building for the Royals on Wednesday, announcing the signing of Norwegian forward Elise Thorsnes, Australian midfielder Katrina Gorry, and American defender Brittany Kolmel.
Thorsnes has had an impressive career in the Norwegian top flight Toppserian league, winning the Golden Boot there three times (in 2006, 2011, and 2013), playing most recently with Norwegian club Avaldsnes IL. She’s also played for her country since 2006, notching a goal in the 2011 Women’s World Cup and playing in the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Gorry is a rising star with the Matildas in her home country of Australia, with 59 caps and 14 goals for her country. She’d most recently played in the NWSL for the now-defunct FC Kansas City in 2014, and spent 2017 playing in Japan for Mynavi Vegalta Sendai.
Kolmel is a new official signing from the old FC Kansas City roster that was transferred over to the Royals late last year, having a consistent career with her former club, playing every minute of all 20 games of the 2015 season, and ultimately winning the NWSL title that year.
NEWS | Orlando Pride adds Australian international Emily van Egmond.
Read | https://t.co/hZiHbRM4EO pic.twitter.com/7Kh05tvEIW
— Orlando Pride (@ORLPride) February 14, 2018
Orlando Pride sign Australian international Emily Van Egmond
Not to be outdone, the Orlando Pride announced a big international signing of their own on Wednesday, welcoming midfielder Emily Van Egmond to the squad.
This will be Van Egmond’s second stint in the NWSL, playing for the Seattle Reign and the Chicago Red Stars early in the lifetime of the league. The 24 year old has also been a mainstay for her international squad, with 66 appearances for the Matildas (debuting at just 15 years old) and 14 goals to her resume. She has most recently played club soccer for the Newcastle Jets, after spending two seasons in the Frauen-Bundesliga for FFC Frankfurt and WfL Wolfsburg.
“Emily is high-quality, creative midfield player with a determined and winning attitude, and the ability to get forward and score goals,” Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni had to say of the signing. “She also brings vast international experience to our squad, even though she’s only 24 years old. With World Cup, Olympic and Champions League experience, she is another strong addition to the Pride. We are thrilled to welcome her.”
Australia and China announce Algarve Cup Rosters
On the heels of Norway, Korean Republic, Sweden, and Denmark announcing their rosters for the upcoming Algarve Cup, Australia and China have also announced their squads. The tourney will open on March 1st, in the same window as the USA-hosted SheBelieves Cup.
The tournament concludes on March 7 when all placement matches will be played. The rosters for each team is listed below.
AUSTRALIA ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (3): Mackenzie Arnold (Brisbane Roar), Eliza Campbell (Adelaide United), Lydia Williams (Melbourne City/Seattle Reign FC)
Defenders (7): Laura Alleway (Melbourne Victory), Hannah Brewer (Newcastle Jets), Ellie Carpenter (Canberra United/Portland Thorns FC), Caitlin Cooper (Sydney FC), Steph Catley (Melbourne City/Seattle Reign FC), Alanna Kennedy (Melbourne City/Orlando Pride), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane Roar)
Midfielders (7): Tameka Butt (Brisbane Roar), Alex Chidiac (Adelaide United), Emily Condon (Adelaide United), Katrina Gorry (Brisbane Roar), Elise Kellond-Knight (FFC Turbine Potsdam), Chloe Logarzo (Sydney FC), Emily van Egmond (Newcastle Jets)
Forwards (8): Larissa Crummer (Melbourne City), Lisa De Vanna (Sydney FC), Emily Gielnik (Brisbane Roar), Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), Sam Kerr (Perth Glory/Chicago Red Stars), Hayley Raso (Brisbane Roar/Portland Thorns FC), Kyah Simon (Melbourne City), Georgia Yeoman-Dale (Sydney FC)
CHINA ROSTER BY POSITION
Goalkeepers (3): Lu Feifei (Jiangsu), Peng Shimeng (Jiangsu), Wang Fei (Bayern Munich)
Defenders (6): Wu Haiyan (Shandong), Li Danyang (Dalian), Ma Jun (Jiangsu), Dou Jiaxing (Jiangsu), Xue Jiao (Dalian), Liu Shanshan (Hebei)
Midfielders (11): Tan Ruyin (Guangdong), Ren Guixin (Changchun), Liu Jing (Changchun), Han Peng (Changchun), Xu Yanlu (Jiangsu), Xiao Yuyi (Shanghai), Yan Jinjin (Shanghai), Li Ying (Shandong), Wang Shuang (Wuhan), Zhang Rui (Army), Lv Yueyun (Wuhan)
Forwards (4): Song Duan (Dalian), Wang Shanshan (Dalian), Jin Kun (Jiangsu), Tang Jiali (Shanghai)
