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Lloyd, Rapinoe, Pugh headline USWNT Olympic roster

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Photo by Michael Chow/USA Today Sports

The U.S. Women’s National Team will have a full complement of stars heading into this summer’s Olympics.

Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Mallory Pugh headline the 18-player USWNT roster ahead of the upcoming Olympic games. The roster features seven players from the 2012 gold medal team, while 14 players were members of the 2015 Women’s World Cup championship team.

“The last few camps capped a nine-month evaluation process and the players certainly made it a real challenge to narrow the roster down to 18,” said U.S. head coach Jill Ellis. “We’ve got a great blend of players with experience at the Olympic Games and in major events along with the youthful energy of some players who did not play in the Women’s World Cup last summer.

“As a coach in the Olympic Games, you want to put together a group capable of reaching the top of the podium while also being mindful of getting players prepared for the next World Cup, and I think we’ve done that.”

Rapinoe’s selection comes after the star midfielder underwent ACL surgery in December. The playmaker returned to play for the first time just last week.

The team also features four alternates: midfielder, Heather O’Reilly, goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, defender Emily Sonnett and midfielder Samantha Mewis.

“We’ve got excellent balance in the squad, and with some injuries lately to some major players, it has allowed us to get experience for a few newer players which helped them in their cases to make the team,” said Ellis. “Now the task is getting our team 100% healthy and finalizing our preparations during the next camp.”

The U.S. opens Group G against New Zealand on August 3 before taking on France on August 6 and Colombia on August 9 to round out group play.

Here’s a look at the full USWNT roster:

GOALKEEPERS: Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)

DEFENDERS: Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City)

MIDFIELDERS: Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

FORWARDS: Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado)

Comments

    • IMHO, this team can win Olympic Gold if it beats France in Group Play and wins the Group. If so here is how I see the knock out round going based on who would play who, based on group placing. If France wins the Group, then I would pick Germany to win the Gold.

      Brazil – Australia, U.S. – China, Sweden – Canada, Germany – France

      Germany – Canada, U. S. – Australia

      Germany – U. S. (U.S. wins as Germany is worn out from too many tough matches)

      Reply

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