Alex Morgan Christen Press returning to USWNT squad for SheBelieves Cup

The returns of Alex Morgan and Christen Press spotlight the U.S. women’s national team roster for the SheBelieves Cup.

U.S. supervisor Vlatko Andonovski named 23 gamers to his squad. Probably the most notable omissions had been Manchester United ahead Tobin Heath, who is injured, in addition to the Orlando Pride duo of goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and defender Ali Krieger. Each Harris and Krieger had been concerned within the January camp, although Krieger performed in simply one among two friendlies towards Colombia. Harris was changed on the roster by North Carolina Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy.

– Alex Morgan back with Orlando Pride after COVID-19 scare
– Japan withdraws from SheBelieves Cup, replaced by Argentina
– USWNT’s Tobin Heath out 10-12 weeks after suffering ankle injury

Each Morgan and Press missed the team’s training camp in January because of sickness, with Morgan asserting she had contracted COVID-19. Press’ sickness was not COVID-related. With rosters for this summer season’s Olympic video games restricted to 18 gamers, the competitors for spots shall be intense, and the matches will reveal a lot concerning the present type of gamers.

“I believe we made a whole lot of progress on and off the sector in the course of the January camp and video games, so we’ll be seeking to construct on that for these three matches and we wish to proceed to check totally different gamers in powerful environments,” Andonovski mentioned. “Every sport will current its personal distinctive challenges and the matches are usually not solely a step up in competitors from January, however, as I’ve mentioned earlier than, are extraordinarily beneficial as a take a look at run for group play on the Olympics.”

The U.S. roster options 17 gamers enjoying within the Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League and 6 enjoying in Europe. For coaching functions, Andonovski has additionally referred to as up three non-rostered gamers who will observe with the workforce for the primary week of camp earlier than departing. That trio consists of Racing Louisville’s defender Emily Fox, Florida State midfielder Jaelin Howell and Chicago Red Stars ahead Mallory Pugh.

play

USWNT stars Christen Press and Rose Lavelle discover the web throughout Sunday’s play within the FA Ladies’s Tremendous League.

Of the abroad gamers, Lyon ahead Catarina Macario will arrive in Orlando with a lot of the roster on Feb. 8, whereas Paris Saint-Germain defender Alana Cook is anticipated to reach shortly thereafter. The squad’s England-based gamers are scheduled to reach on Feb. 13.

The event, set to be held Feb. 18-24 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida, will function Brazil, Canada and Argentina. The Argentines had been a late alternative for Japan, who pulled out of the tournament due to the standing of the COVID-19 pandemic of their nation. The U.S. will face Canada on Feb. 18, Brazil on Feb. 21 and Argentina on Feb. 24. Canada and Brazil are tied for eighth within the newest FIFA rankings whereas Argentina is tied for thirty first.

Full SheBelieves Cup squad:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Sprint; 4), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Braveness; 0), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Purple Stars; 65)

DEFENDERS (8): Alana Cook dinner (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA; 2/0), Abby Dahlkemper (Manchester Metropolis, ENG; 63/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Purple Stars; 27/1), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC; 107/24), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit; 133/2), Margaret Purce (Sky Blue FC; 4/1), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 179/0), Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit; 48/0)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Julie Ertz (Chicago Purple Stars; 105/20), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC;88/20), Rose Lavelle (Manchester Metropolis, ENG; 48/13), Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyonnaise, FRA; 2/1), Kristie Mewis (Houston Sprint; 18/3), Samantha Mewis (Manchester Metropolis, ENG; 70/21)

FORWARDS (6): Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC; 296/123), Alex Morgan (Orlando Satisfaction; 170/107), Christen Press (Manchester United, ENG; 139/58), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign; 170/54), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 1/0), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Braveness; 31/10).