The United States Women’s National Soccer Team coach, Vlatko Andonovski, disclosed the 23-player squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday. The team includes Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, who were both picked for the fourth time in their careers, as well as 14 players making their World Cup debuts. Julie Ertz, a veteran, also made the cut after returning from an injury in April. Alyssa Thompson, her Angel City FC teammate and NWSL No. 1 pick in 2023, was also included for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, which kicks off on July 20. The players were introduced with a star-studded social media post that included President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne, and Megan Thee Stallion.
Rapinoe’s Leadership Valued by Coach Andonovski
At 37 years old, Megan Rapinoe is the oldest player on the roster. Andonovski stressed the importance of her leadership, saying, “Megan Rapinoe is probably going to have a different role than the last World Cup or the previous two World Cups. She is going to have different types of minutes, but her leadership role is so important, and her performance on the field is valuable for us. She is expected to have minutes in the sendoff game.” Morgan, who is joining Rapinoe for her fourth World Cup, emphasized her enthusiasm for the tournament, stating, “I am hoping to make the biggest impact for this team on and off the field. I want to show younger players who have not been in a major tournament what to expect.”
Injuries Force Sauerbrunn and Others to Miss the Tournament
The two-time defending champion Americans will be without captain and veteran defender Becky Sauerbrunn, who was left out of the squad because of a foot injury she suffered in April. Sauerbrunn, who won two World Cups with the USWNT, confirmed in a statement that she will not recover in time from her injury and will miss the tournament. She is one of several injured American players to miss the tournament, including striker Mallory Swanson, who went down with a knee injury in April. Midfield stalwarts Sam Mewis and Catarina Macario are also sidelined. The US team will face the Netherlands, Vietnam, and Portugal in Group E play, with all of its matches taking place in New Zealand.
Andonovski said he would not name a new captain yet, adding, “Becky will always be our captain; that is how everybody feels. Unfortunately, she will not be able to be with us, and we haven’t yet talked to team leaders. And I would want to talk to them and announce to the team before I make it public.” Final rosters are due by July 9, and Andonovski stated that he would make no announcements prior to that date about alternates, explaining, “In terms of alternative, we are not going to have any public announcements, but we do have names in place in case something happens in the next 30-35 days.”
The U.S. Women’s National Team has a good mix of veterans and younger players, with different journeys leading to this point, according to Andonovski. The coach said, “Every player has a different journey to get to this point, so our roster has some amazing stories, and we have a really good mix of veterans and younger players.”
Full U.S. Women’s National Team roster by position (club; caps/goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3): Aubrey Kingsbury* (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy* (North Carolina Courage; 14), Alyssa Naeher*** (Chicago Red Stars; 90)
DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook* (OL Reign; 24/1), Crystal Dunn** (Portland Thorns FC; 131/24), Emily Fox* (North Carolina Courage; 28/1), Naomi Girma* (San Diego Wave FC; 15/0), Sofia Huerta* (OL Reign; 29/0), Kelley O’Hara**** (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 157/3), Emily Sonnett** (OL Reign; 74/1)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Savannah DeMelo* (Racing Louisville FC; 0/0), Julie Ertz*** (Angel City FC; 118/20), Lindsey Horan** (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 128/27), Rose Lavelle** (OL Reign; 88/24), Kristie Mewis* (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 51/7), Ashley Sanchez* (Washington Spirit; 24/3), Andi Sullivan* (Washington Spirit; 44/3)
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