Breaking: Unveiling the USWNT Squad for the 2023 FIFA World Cup
The 23-player lineup:
GOALKEEPERS: Aubrey Kingsbury* (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy* (North Carolina Courage; 14), Alyssa Naeher*** (Chicago Red Stars; 90)
DEFENDERS: 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: 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)
FORWARDS: Alex Morgan**** (San Diego Wave FC; 206/121), Megan Rapinoe**** (OL Reign; 199/63), Trinity Rodman* (Washington Spirit; 17/2), Sophia Smith* (Portland Thorns FC; 29/12), Alyssa Thompson* (Angel City FC; 3/0), Lynn Williams* (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 52/15)
*First Women’s World Cup
**Second Women’s World Cup
***Third Women’s World Cup
****Fourth Women’s World Cup
Just a single month ahead of the U.S. Women's National Team's kickoff at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, head coach Vlatko Andonovski has unveiled the selected 23 players who will proudly bear the star-spangled banner in the tournament Down Under. The lineup will be officially cast in stone when submitted to FIFA on July 9th.
The roster reveal spotlights six forwards, seven midfielders, seven defenders, and three goalkeepers. Among the chosen are nine golden talents from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship squad.
Forwards Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, together with defender Kelley O’Hara, are set for their fourth tour at the Women’s World Cup, joining the select club of U.S. Women’s National Team players who have achieved this significant milestone. Third-time charm kicks in for goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and midfield mastermind Julie Ertz, while defenders Crystal Dunn and Emily Sonnett, alongside midfielders Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle, return for their second World Cup stint. There will be 14 players setting foot on the Women's World Cup turf for the first time.
Andonovski has hailed the labor-intensive selection process and the players' unwavering commitment to excellence. The diverse squad is a blend of World Cup veterans and new entrants.
Ahead of the journey to New Zealand, the squad will be battle-tested in the Women’s World Cup Send-Off Match, slated for July 9 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
Facing the “winter chill” of New Zealand and Australia, the USA is pitted against World Cup newcomers Vietnam and Portugal, as well as the formidable 2019 Women’s World Cup runners-up Netherlands. All group stage matches for the U.S. will take place on the green fields of New Zealand. The curtain-raiser for Group E will be against Vietnam on July 22 at Auckland's Eden Park, doubling as the venue for the World Cup Opening Ceremony on July 20. Following the opening encounter, the USA will take on the Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 27 and conclude their group-stage campaign against Portugal on August 1 at Eden Park.
“With the caliber of play at this World Cup expected to be top-tier, it's imperative that all teams rise to the occasion,” noted Andonovski. “We've had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of the women’s game and have consistently been at the forefront of its growth. I am confident this tournament will once again showcase the unparalleled talent that spans across all 32 teams. Our squad understands the competitive landscape that lies ahead, and they are ready to rise to the occasion. We've assembled a team that offers depth and versatility, which will be instrumental in navigating the challenges we are set to face.”
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, scheduled from July 20 to August 20, will be hosted across 10 stadiums in nine cities, five in Australia and four in New Zealand. A first in the Women’s World Cup history, the tournament will feature 32 nations, a significant increase from the 24 of previous editions.
As we look forward to an exciting month of soccer, the U.S. Women's National Team stands at the brink of history, hoping to win their third consecutive World Cup. A feat never met by a men’s or women’s team.