The U.S. women’s national team is set for an extensive preview with one of the host nations of this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski named his 24-player roster participating in a pair of friendlies in New Zealand on January 18 and 21. The matches mark the USWNT’s first-ever matches on New Zealand soil, despite these being the 20th and 21st meetings between the sides all-time.
Andonovski’s long-time task to find the right balance between emphasizing youth or experience only gets tougher in this camp as veterans and fan favorites Emily Sonnett and Lynn Williams return to the fold after lengthy injuries. Both figure to have realistic claims to a spot on the final World Cup roster.
“We’ve been thinking about and planning for the World Cup for a long time, but when the calendar turns to the World Cup year, for sure it brings some renewed focus and energy as the tournament starts in less than 200 days,” Andonovski said in a statement provided by U.S. Soccer. “To get to bring the team to New Zealand in January and play in our World Cup venues has so many benefits so we are going to make sure we maximize our time together, make this trip as productive as possible and enjoy a unique experience as many of our players have never been to New Zealand before.”
2022 obviously marked the last hurrah for some USWNT veterans, but Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Alyssa Naeher remain in the picture for this year’s tournament and look to become three-time World Cup champions.
On the other side, the new generation headlined by Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, and Emily Fox look to shore up their spots for their first-ever senior World Cup opportunities.
This camp will also see a familiar face donning a new name. Mallory (formerly) Pugh married Major League Baseball star Dansby Swanson over the break and will sport her new last name on her jersey moving forward.
Here is the full 24-woman roster heading to New Zealand:
Goalkeepers: Adrianna Franch, Casey Murphy, Alyssa Naeher.
Defenders: Alana Cook, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Sofia Huerta, Hailie Mace, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett.
Midfielders: Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Taylor Kornieck, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis, Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan.
Forwards: Ashley Hatch, Alex Morgan, Midge Purce, Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, Lynn Williams.