Also in today’s roundup, Mexico releases it World Cup qualifying roster and Spirit re-sign Bledsoe for 2019.
The U.S. takes on Mexico in their Concacaf Women’s Championship opener on October 4, which will be broadcast on FS2. (photo by Hannah di Lorenzo for The Equalizer)
Fox Sports announced on Thursday that they will televise the entire 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship with matches airing on FS1 and FS2.
The tournament kicks off on Thursday, October 4 with the final taking place on Wednesday, October 17. The top three teams automatically qualify for the 2019 World Cup in France, while the fourth-place team will face Argentina in a home-and-home playoff series to be played between November 5-13.
Lifetime Game of the Week analyst Aly Wagner joins JP Dellacamera as the lead announcers for the tournament. Wagner’s U.S. national team teammate Cat Whitehill has also been named to the network’s broadcast team, as has Jenn Hildreth, who served alongside Wagner in the booth for much of the past two NWSL seasons.
The full broadcast schedule is below, although match order and network assignments are subject to change depending on the Major League Baseball postseason.
Mexico names Concacaf Women’s Championship squad
Mexico has released their 20-player World Cup-qualifying roster.
Mexico has announced their 20-player roster for next month’s Women’s Concacaf Championship, the confederation’s World Cup-qualifying tournament.
Roberto Medina’s squad includes Houston Dash goalkeeper Bianca Henninger, Sky Blue FC forward Katie Johnson, and Chicago Red Stars defender Christina Murillo. Former NWSL players Monica Ocampo and Bianca Sierra also made the roster, as did 2018 Sky Blue FC draft pick Kiana Palacios and preseason trialist Monica Flores, both of whom signed with clubs overseas during the NWSL season.
As previously stated, the tournament’s top three finishers automatically qualify for next year’s World Cup in France, while the fourth place team will take on Argentina in a two-leg playoff held over the first two weeks of November.
Mexico kicks off the tournament on Thursday, October 4 against the U.S.
Full Mexico Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (2): Bianca Henninger, Cecilia Santiago
DEFENDERS (6): Rebeca Bernal, Monica Flores, Christina Murillo, Kenti Robles, Arianna Romero, Bianca Sierra
MIDFIELDERS (8): Nancy Antonio, Cristina Ferrell, Stephany Mayor, Karla Nieto, Monica Ocampo, Jacqueline Ovalle, Nayeli Rangel, Maria Sanchez
FORWARDS (4): Ariana Calderon, Charlyn Corral, Kaitlyn Johnson, Kiana Palacios
Spirit re-sign Bledsoe, loan her to Sydney FC
The Spirit have signed goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe for the 2019 season. (Photo copyright Lewis Gettier)
The Washington Spirit announced on Thursday that they had re-signed goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe ahead of the 2019 NWSL season.
At the same time, the team announced that they had completed a loan with Sydney FC for the 2018/2019 W-League season, her second with the Australian club.
“Aubrey was a clear bright spot for the Spirit this season, and re-signing her was a top priority for our club,” said Spirit president and general manager Chris Hummer in the team’s official release. “It’s no surprise her services are in demand overseas, and we’re confident her time with Sydney FC is the right opportunity.”
In her first season with the Spirit, Bledsoe tallied 108 saves in 21 appearances to set a new NWSL single-season record, which was later tied by Sky Blue FC netminder Kailen Sheridan.
