USWNT coach Jill Ellis

Yes, you read the title correctly. Despite being a month away from needing to turn in official rosters, Jill Ellis just got it all out of the way. She didn’t bother with a preliminary roster or any of it. She has her 23, and they are headed north. Here is the players that will be representing the Stars and Stripes this summer.

Goalkeepers: Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)

Defenders: Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City)

Midfielders: Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

Forwards: Sydney Leroux (Western NY Flash), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach (unattached)

No surprises really, but Ellis opted for an older, “more experienced” squad. Hope Solo was included, despite her recent legal troubles and suspension from US Soccer. The forward line is typically stacked, ready for multiple injuries and still able to put out a world class scorer. The defenders are mostly the same that have been playing for Ellis over the past year or so. The only question that anyone really had was “who is going to be in the midfield”? While we do have 7 players who will make the trip, we still have no idea who will be playing at which position.

I’m not sure the protocol if a player were to be injured between now and the deadline, but I’m sure it will be an issue that may come to light if one of our players go down. I sure hope Jill Ellis made the right decision with this one.

 

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