Jill Ellis names 22 player roster for upcoming USWNT friendlies against New Zealand

The USWNT will practice for a few days in Denver before their friendlies against New Zealand.
Photo by: Brad Smith

SANTA MONICA – With just a few games left in the NWSL season, the players are focused on trying to make it into the playoffs. However, many of them will have to split their attention between the NWSL and the USWNT’s upcoming friendlies. Today, head coach Jill Ellis named the 22 players who will be on the roster to play New Zealand on September 15th in Colorado and on September 19th in Cincinnati.

Us Soccer posted the roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars;18/0), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 1/0), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 13/0)

DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage; 7/0), Tierna Davidson (Stanford; 0/0), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 51/9), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC; 99/2), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City; 129/0), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars; 13/0), Taylor Smith (NC Courage; 3/0)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Morgan Brian (Chicago Red Stars; 67/6), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC; 131/18), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 37/3), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers; 6/2), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC; 30/5), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage; 28/5), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC; 123/33)

FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC; 54/22), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride; 128/74), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars; 90/43), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit; 26/5), Lynn Williams (NC Courage; 10/2)

Although the USWNT only has friendlies left, they want to finish the year out strong. “With only six matches left in 2017, we want to take advantage of the time we have together and finish the year with solid performances. New Zealand, South Korea, and Canada all present different challenges, and these games will round out one of the most competitive schedules the WNT program has played in a calendar year,” coach Ellis said on ussoccer.com.

The number one ranked USWNT will play the number 19 ranked New Zealand on Friday, the 19th at 7:00 in Commerce City, Colorado.