Head coach Vlakto Andonovski named his 23-player USWNT roster for a pair of September friendlies against Nigeria on Monday, with Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe the biggest names on the U.S. squad and a partial inclusion for Crystal Dunn.
The two-time defending World Cup champs will host 46th-ranked Nigeria on Sept. 3 (in Kansas City) and Sept. 6 (in D.C.), the team’s first matches since July, when it won the Concacaf W Championship to qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and 2024 Olympics.
See you soon, Kansas City!#USWNT x @BioSteelSports pic.twitter.com/FN0KF9x7t5
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 22, 2022
Morgan and Rapinoe have had resurgent 2022s, with the former leading the NWSL in goals (12) and the latter coming on strong as the season progresses, with two goals and two assists in a recent romp over Gotham FC.
In general, the roster has few surprises, with all 23 involved in the Concacaf W Championship; Sam Coffey replaced the injured Ashley Hatch after the group stage in Mexico and both are on this USWNT roster. The only non-NWSL player on the squad is Lindsey Horan, on loan at Lyon. Her club teammate Catarina Macario continues to work back from an ACL tear. (See below for full USWNT roster.)
“All the players on the roster performed well in Mexico at qualifying and have carried that form for their clubs, so we’ll continue the process of growing as a team with this group in what will be two challenging games against Nigeria,” Andonovski said. “Preparing for the World Cup is a long process, and I’ve been very happy with how our team understands that process, is willing to do the work and is making positive strides every camp to get us to where we want to be next summer.”
The one player who wasn’t involved over the summer and will join up with the team is Crystal Dunn. After giving birth to her first child in May, Dunn is still returning to match fitness. She’ll train with the team but will not play in either friendly match.
.@Cdunn19, who gave birth to her son Marcel on May 20, will join camp for training as she continues her return to fitness but will not feature in the matches. pic.twitter.com/Hpxp5P5qwh
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) August 22, 2022
View this post on Instagram
It’s great to see Dunn on track to return soon. Who knows, she might be available for the USWNT’s next match after September, a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium, which sold out quickly after the match was announced (though the game is contingent on England not screwing up World Cup qualifying in September).
A few big names are missing from the roster because of injury, including Macario, Sam Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper, Christen Press and Emily Sonnett. Tobin Heath was not selected as she works her way back to full fitness, having not yet played more than 45 minutes in a game this season.
USWNT Roster vs. Nigeria (September 2022)
- Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
- Defenders: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC)
- Midfielders: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC); Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
- Forwards: Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC)
