Along with veteran Megan Rapinoe and 21 others, 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson was chosen on Wednesday for the United States squad that will compete next month to win a record-breaking third consecutive Women’s World Cup trophy.
Rapinoe, who is 37 years old, is the oldest player on the roster, while Thompson, a rookie for Angel City in the National Women’s Soccer League, has been impressive this season.
“I’ve proactively conversed with a portion of the other experienced players about how we rally this gathering of players from ages 18 through (Rapinoe),” Forward Alex Morgan kidded. ” how we can all work together and be so flexible throughout this World Cup.”
A star-studded social media post featuring President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne, and Megan Thee Stallion introduced the players.
Rapinoe, 33, and Morgan will each play in their fourth World Cup for the No. #1 ranked American team. Morgan refrained from stating that the Americans were the odds-on favorites going into the tournament.
As the current World Cup champions, I believe that ultimately we already have a target on our backs. In any case, there’s certain groups that have done unquestionably above and beyond the most recent four years and have become well known to seek this prize,” she said.
Kelley O’Hara, a 34-year-old defender, was selected for her fourth World Cup team. She provided a seasoned support for the backline in the absence of team captain Becky Sauerbrunn, who announced last week that she will not participate in the tournament due to a persistent foot injury.
Australia and New Zealand will host the tournament beginning on July 20. Along with Vietnam, the Netherlands, and Portugal, the Americans are in Group E. The four-time World Cup champion United States faces Vietnam on July 22 in Auckland.
“We want to try something new that hasn’t been tried before.” When asked about the chance to win the World Cup for the third time in a row, Andonovski stated, “We believe in the quality of the team and the support we have, and we think we have what it takes to make it possible.”
Rapinoe is recovering from a calf injury, but she should be ready to play in the sendoff match against Wales on July 9 in San Jose, California, for the United States team. Andonovski stated that she will play a different role than she did in 2019, when she scored six goals, including a penalty, in a 2-0 final victory over the Netherlands.
She will unquestionably have a variety of minutes. However, Andonovski stated, “Her role is so important, first and foremost from a leadership standpoint, but also her performance on the field is very valuable for us.”
In the lead up to the event, the team has been hurt. Mallory Swanson, the forward for the United States, will be without Sauerbrunn because she tore the patella tendon in her left knee. Before she was injured in an exhibition match against Ireland in April, Swanson had scored seven goals this year.
Catarina Macario, a talented forward who tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last year while playing for Lyon, did not recover in time to make the team. Additionally, midfielder Sam Mewis was unable to participate in the World Cup due to a persistent injury.
Sophia Smith, 22, was named the NWSL Most Valuable Player and the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year for 2022. Trinity Rodman, 21, was named the U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year for 2021 and is the daughter of Dennis Rodman, a former NBA star.
After U.S. assistant coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak, who represented the United States at the 1995 World Cup, Thompson is the second-youngest player ever named to a World Cup roster. In place of Swanson, Thompson was called up to the team in early April for a game against Ireland.
The 25-year-old Savannah DeMelo, who hasn’t played for the United States yet, was an unexpected addition to the roster. DeMelo, who plays in the NWSL for Racing Louisville, has scored in three of her last four games. This season, she has scored five goals.
DeMelo is the third player from the United States to be selected for a World Cup team but not to play in an international match.
“Her presentation in the association was quite possibly of the most compelling motivation why she’s in the group,” Andonovski said. ” In addition, we anticipate Sav to be very significant for us moving forward in light of the requirements we have in relation to our adversaries and the various situations we may encounter.
The roster by position and affiliation with clubs:
Goalkeepers: Defenders include Washington Spirit’s Aubrey Kingsbury, North Carolina Courage’s Casey Murphy, and Chicago Red Stars’ Alyssa Naeher. Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Gotham), and Emily Sonnett (OL Reign) are some of the OL Reign cast members.
Midfielders: Savannah DeMelo plays for Racing Louisville FC; Julie Ertz plays for Angel City; Lindsey Horan plays for Lyon; Rose Lavelle plays for OL Reign; Kristie Mewis plays for Gotham; Ashley Sanchez plays for Washington Spirit; and Andi Sullivan plays for Washington Spirit.
Forwards: Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City), and Lynn Williams (Gotham FC)
