The U.S. women’s national team will get another crack at one of the world’s best this November with Germany opposing the Americans for a pair of upcoming friendlies.
Alex Morgan, Adrianna Franch, and Rose Lavelle headline Andonovski’s 24-player roster for November’s pair of friendlies against Germany. The USWNT will face the Germans on Nov. 10 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. before concluding a two-match slate in Harrison, N.J. on Nov. 13.
It will be a showdown between two of the top-three ranked teams in the FIFA Women’s Rankings with the USWNT sitting No. 1 and Germany sitting No. 3.
“These are the kinds of games that help our World Cup preparation in many ways and these 180 minutes to end our schedule this year are going to be extremely valuable for the players and coaches,” said Andonovski. “It will be good to get some players back on the roster and we’re all expecting these games to be very competitive and entertaining for fans.”
Veteran forward Alex Morgan makes her return to international duty, along with goalkeeper Adrianna Franch. This is Franch’s first call-up since October 2021. A total of 12 players were nominated to the NWSL Best XI First and Second Teams during the 2022 campaign.
Sophia Smith, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn, and Sam Coffey most recently lifted the 2022 NWSL Championship with the Portland Thorns. Smith, 21, also became the youngest player in NWSL history to be named league MVP.
The USWNT will aim to rebound after losing to both England in Spain during its October window in Europe.
Here is a closer look at the full USWNT roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
FORWARDS: Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Alyssa Thompson (Total Futbol Academy)
The major European powers have caught up to the US women, primarily due to a massive investment by major clubs into subsidizing the women’s teams. Andonovski is wisely prepping the team now for WWC 2023. The knockout round will be very competitive.
So basically after getting spanked by England and Spain in the last group of friendlies Vlatko has decided to make the following changes: Crickets, Crickets, Crickets…..
If you thought they got spanked, you didn’t watch any of the games. This is a team in transition, they’ve brought in a lot of younger players bc the veterans are getting older, yet the veterans still have an influence in the team but overall it hasn’t been fluid because of all the injuries(I think there are 8-10 players out)and some of these ladies have become mother’s. They were in both the England and Spain game, the England game they got hosed by a terrible VAR decision and the Spain game was close until the end of the game, so considering the transition and unavailability of many via injuries, etc I think they’ve shown well or themselves. Andonovski needs to get the lineups right more for me, it seems he’s holding some of the younger players back because of deference to some of the veterans