Photo by ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
A week before the U.S. Men’s National Team try to knock off arch-rivals Mexico, the U.S. Women will attempt to do the same with a fully-loaded roster.
Hope Solo, Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach headline a strong 18-player squad that U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Tom Sermanni unveiled Thursday for the upcoming friendly against El Tri on Sept. 3 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Other marquee players included in the match that will be the first for the U.S. following the conclusion of the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League season are Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, Christie Rampone, Lauren Holiday (formerly Lauren Cheney) and Sydney Leroux.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the NWSL matches this summer and I know all the players will be sharp for the game against Mexico,” said Sermanni. “We have several key players out with injuries, but I’m pleased we were able to call in a few new players to give them a brief look at this event. Looking forward, all the players need and deserve a break, so after this match we’ll give them the rest of September off and get ready for our activity in mid-October.”
Here’s the full roster:
Goalkeepers (2): Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
Defenders (6): Rachel Buehler (Portland Thorns FC), Crystal Dunn (North Carolina), Kristie Mewis (FC Kansas City), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Leigh Ann Robinson (FC Kansas City), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City)
Midfielders (7): Yael Averbuch (Göteborg), Morgan Brian (Virginia), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Western New York Flash), Heather O’Reilly (Boston Breakers), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Erika Tymrak (FC Kansas City)
Forwards (3): Sydney Leroux (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Abby Wambach (Western New York Flash)
—–
What do you think of this roster? Is there any player you think should have been included/omitted from this squad? Expecting the USWNT to top Mexico at RFK?
Share your thoughts below.
Is the rivalry same as with men?
Christie Rampone is an iron-woman! Still going strong at 38.
Alex is injured. MCL issue of some sort; hoping she’s back for Thorns FC playoffs.
Surprised Christen Press isn’t in there. She was great in Tom’s first few games.
I’ll watch. But I’d like to see the US play friendlies against teams that aren’t Mexico or Canada more often.
Ali Krieger And Kelley O’Hara :/
Why are they not on the roster? Not in Sermanni’s plans? Both are good attacking fullbacks in my opinion.
O’Hara’s hurt. I don’t know about Krieger.
Krieger just joined Tyresö FF in Sweden on a short-term contract, flew there on Monday. (Same for her Washington Spirit teammate Ashlyn Harris.) http://equalizersoccer.com/2013/08/22/video-ali-krieger-ashlyn-harris-arrive-in-sweden-tyreso/
Agree.. Ali is more experienced.
Kelley is just perfect tackling and delivering crosses
It’s not even fair how good the forwards are
Some new names in there I don’t recognize.
That’s a good thing!