Roster for the U.S. FIFA Women's World Cup team announced
LOS ANGELES - The United States Women's National Soccer Team has just revealed its roster for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Twenty-three professional soccer players will take to the field to represent the U.S. in France this summer.
The USWNT will kick off Group F, facing Thailand, Chile and Sweden. The first round is familiar territory for the team: The U.S. has faced off against all three of its group opponents within the last three years. They played Thailand in 2016, Sweden in 2017 and Chile twice in 2018.
They will look to defend their 2015 championship and add a fourth title to U.S. Soccer. Of the 23 players, 12 of them played in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
"These 23 players have been through adversity and success, and it's a group that has the talent, confidence, experience and desire to help us win the World Cup," said U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Jill Ellis.
The roster will not become official until it is submitted to FIFA on May 24, which is the deadline for all teams to submit their final squads.
Many of these players have championships under their belt, including Carli Lloyd, a forward who is the oldest player on the roster at 36, and has the most World Cup experience. Lloyd previously scored six goals in 2015 when the U.S. last won.
A total of 16 players on the roster have represented the U.S. in a FIFA Women's World Cup at the U-17 level, U-20 level or both according to the United States Soccer Federation.
The complete roster is listed here. Asterisks signify how many Women's World Cups each player has participated in:
DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper* (NC Courage), Tierna Davidson* (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn* (NC Courage), Ali Krieger*** (Orlando Pride), Kelley O'Hara*** (Utah Royals FC), Becky Sauerbrunn*** (Utah Royals FC), Emily Sonnett* (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian** (Chicago Red Stars), Julie Ertz** (Chicago Red Stars), Lindsey Horan* (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle* (Washington Spirit), Allie Long* (Reign FC), Samantha Mewis* (NC Courage)
FORWARDS (7): Tobin Heath*** (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd**** (Sky Blue FC), Jessica McDonald* (NC Courage), Alex Morgan*** (Orlando Pride), Christen Press** (Utah Royals FC), Mallory Pugh* (Washington Spirit), Megan Rapinoe*** (Reign FC)