Jill Ellis has named 22 players to her roster for the USWNT’s upcoming friendlies. The United States will face South Korea in New Orleans on October 19, and again on October 22 in Cary, NC. Washington Spirit attacker Mallory Pugh is in the group, as is Virginia native Andi Sullivan, who is seen as a favorite to be picked first overall in the upcoming NWSL draft. The Spirit currently hold the #1 pick after finishing at the bottom of the league table.
Ellis plans to only suit up 18 players from the group of 22 for each game, perhaps in an attempt to spark some internal competition. That’s important, as the squad contains as many as five holding midfielders (depending on where Julie Ertz is deployed). There are also five potential center forwards, and six players capable of playing as wingers, so some players of note may miss a game or two despite being called in. In the case of Portland and North Carolina players who have the NWSL final to play before joining the USWNT, that rest might be welcome.
The full USWNT roster is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (North Carolina Courage), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Sofia Huerta (Chicago Red Stars), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Taylor Smith (North Carolina Courage)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Andi Sullivan (Stanford)
FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage)