Photo Credit: Lenny Ignelzi/AP
Jill Ellis, the head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team named 26 players to the training camp to prepare for a pair of matches against France. “Establishing how we want to play and integrating our philosophy is an important first step for a new coaching staff, but these types of matches will give us a wonderful opportunity to build on and keep testing out the player pool,” said Ellis.
Goalkeepers include Hope Solo, Nicole Barnhart and Ashlyn Harris; the seven defenders are Stephanie Cox, Crystal Dunn, Whitney Engen, Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger, Christie Rampone, and Becky Sauerbrunn. Midfielders include Shannon Boxx, Morgan Brian, Tobin Heath, Lauren Holiday, Julie Johnston, Carli Lloyd, Allie Long, Kristie Mewis, and Heather O’Reilly; forwards include Sharon Hagen, Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Kelley O’Hara, Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez, and Abby Wombach.
Due to injury, midfielder Megan Rapinoe (foot) and defender Rachel Van Hollebeke (ankle) are not able to be selected to the roster. Shannon Boxx, who has 27 goals, is coming in for training and evaluation only. Boxx will not play in the matches as she starts her comeback after having her daughter in late February. Boxx makes her return to the roster for the first time since March of 2013 at the Algarve Cup.
Alex Morgan, who is at the tail end of her recovery from an ankle injury, has 44 goals in 70 matches, but has not appeared for the USA since November of 2013. Morgan’s availability will be determined after her evaluation by the team’s performance and medical staff.
The games will take place on June 14 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida and June 19 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The games will be available to watch on ussoccer.com with a start time of 7:30 p.m.
