Jill Ellis has been forced into making some roster changes ahead of the U.S. Women’s National Team’s friendlies against Mexico this week.
Out comes defender Kelley O’Hara, who picked up a hamstring injury while on club duty with Utah Royals. This comes after fellow de
Defender Casey Short withdrew from the squad as she is still dealing with the ankle injury she picked up during the SheBelieves Cup. Short was replaced by Hailie Mace, who will participate in her second USWNT camp.
With O’Hara out, Ellis has added two newcomers to the roster. Tegan McGrady, a starting outside back for the U.S.’ U-23 team, has been added to the roster, as has midfielder Haley Hanson. McGrady is a college teammate of Tierna Davidson at Stanford, while Hanson has just started her rookie season in the NWSL with the Houston Dash. The midfielder was the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft.
Here’s how the roster now stands heading into this week’s action:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (6): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage), Tierna Davidson (Stanford), Sofia Huerta (Chicago Red Stars), Tegan McGrady (Stanford), Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian (Olympique Lyon), Haley Hanson (Houston Dash), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC), Allie Long (Seattle Reign FC), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (NC Courage), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit); Savannah McCaskill (Sky Blue FC), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)
All I can say is that I hope the midfielders come in, in better shape than they were at the SBC. Otherwise Having Emily Sonnett on the back line, will help shore up the spot left
by Julie Ertz when she moved up to Mid-Field. The front line will be tough to stop as long as the mid-fielders can get them the ball!!!! Also, I hope that Hailie Mace gets a chance to get
in some playing time. While probably being relegated to back line duty, she is a GREAT Open Field player, and could end up being a stellar mid-fielder. She was on the back line
at UCLA until Mallory Pugh went Pro and they had to move her up, and she still was able
to get UCLA to the NCAA championship match.