The U.S. women’s national team will close out 2021 in Australia with a group that looks significantly different than the one that took on the Matildas for Olympic bronze this summer.
American coach Vlatko Andonovski revealed his 22-man roster for a pair of friendlies later this month, with more than half not among the Olympians who competed in Japan. Carli Lloyd has retired, while neither is Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, Christen Press, Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn or Sam Mewis, as Andonovski has drawn on a multi-star group in NWSL form.
The United States will face Australia, which is ranked 11th in the world, on November 26 (US time, it will be 27 in Australia) in Sydney and on November 30 in Newcastle to conclude their match schedule for the year. . The games are rematches of the wild bronze medal match that the United States won 4-3, thanks to two goals each from Lloyd and Rapinoe.
“We still have some injured players, so this squad is a mix of players with a lot of World Cup and Olympics experience, some who have been part of the program for a while but are looking to make their mark. in international football and a few who are getting their first chance with the national team at an event like this, ”Andonovski said. “We have turned the page towards qualifying for the 2023 World Cup and rarely have the opportunity to test young players in adversity-filled environments, so we must take advantage of what these two games will offer us. It is exciting to have the opportunity to see all these players together in our environment and to give them the opportunity to play against one of the best teams in the world. “
Of the five limitless players on the team, two are goalkeepers in Portland’s Bella Bixby and North Carolina’s Casey Murphy. NWSL Golden Boot winner Ashley Hatch is part of a group of fresh forwards, save for veteran Lynn Williams, though Mal Pugh and Trinity Rodman are among the NWSL players in form at the position not they got the call. All four NWSL semi-finalists are represented, and the league title game will take place on November 20 in Louisville before departing for Australia.
The United States squad may be renewed, but it is far from lacking in experience. Becky Sauerbrunn, 36, could raise her all-time salary cap to 199 if she plays in both games, while Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle will make the journey to lead the midfield and are among the six winners of the Women’s World Cup. 2019 on the team.
Here’s the USA team in its entirety:
GOALKEEPERS: Bella Bixby (Portland Thorns FC), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage)
DEFENDERS: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Abby Dahlkemper (Houston Dash), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit ))
CENTERS: Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Catarina Macario (Lyon), Kristie Mewis (Houston Dash), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
FORWARD: Bethany Balcer (OL Reign), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Midge Purce (NJ / NY Gotham FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage), Morgan Weaver (Portland Thorns FC)
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.