The Women World Champions are going to begin their title defence on 22nd July and want to become the first team in the history of the game to win three consecutive World Cup tournaments. They’re ranked no. 1 in the world by FIFA and they intend to keep that status during the World Cup. USWNT World Cup squad is released and there are some big name who haven’t made it due to injuries and some new names are added because of their club performances.
USWNT’s World Cup campaign
This year, the Women’s World Cup is jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, one month of competitive football to decide the next Women’s World Cup champion. USWNT, having won the previous two editions of the the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 respectively, desire to make it three times in a row.
It’s not gonna be an easy title defence with teams like England, Germany, Spain and other teams challenging for the title. The world of women football has seen a rise of no. of new talented emerging players who have burst onto the scene for their respective countries, making it much harder for USA to win it this time around.
Vlatko Andonovski has announced the players who are gonna represent USA in the 2023 Women’s World Cup. And some of the names there might surprise you a bit.
Selected in the squad
Alex Morgan is gonna lead the way with 206 international caps for the United States, in which she scored 121 goals. This could very well be her last world cup but the decision lies upon 33-year-old who has been immense for both club and country. This is going to be her fourth World Cup which gives her the veteran status.
Another veteran of the USWNT is Megan Rapinoe. This is also gonna be her fourth World Cup. Her selection was triggered by the injuries of a few attacking players. Defender Kelly O’Hara has also made the squad after being absent from the team due to injuries in 2022. Rose Lavelle was selected by the coach to many Americans’ relief but her fitness is still doubtful to many.
Sophia Smith is the one to look out for. She is making her World Cup debut after an impressive season for Portland Thorns and was also named the NWSL’s most valuable player in 2022. Among the goalkeepers, the selection of Aubrey Kingsbury was also a surprise as she has only one international cap but is expected to play as a third choice goalkeeper. Savannah DeMelo is the only player in the squad with zero international caps. She has been selected on the basis of her recent performances for her club, Racing Louisville.
Players who missed out due to injuries
Becky Sauerbrunn, the team captain was not selected because of a foot injury she suffered in the month of April and still haven’t recovered. Catarina Macario was also unable to make the squad because of her torn ACL, she was an integral part of the US attack. The biggest name in the list of players “not selected” would be Mallory Swanson. She suffered a torn patella tendon in an international friendly against Ireland and haven’t recovered from it yet.
USWNT World Cup 2023 Squad :
Among the 23 selected in the squad, 14 players are gonna be making their World Cup debut so it would a difficult challenge for Andonovski to guide them to their third consecutive World Cup win.
Goalkeepers
- Alyssa Naeher
- Casey Murphy
- Aubrey Kingsbury
Defenders
- Alana Cook
- Crystal Dunn
- Emily Fox
- Naomi Girma
- Sofia Huerta
- Kelly O’Hara
- Emily Sonnett
Midfielders
- Savannah DeMelo
- Julie Ertz
- Lindsey Horan
- Rose Lavelle
- Kristie Mewis
- Ashley Sanchez
- Andi Sullivan
Forwards
- Alex Morgan
- Regan Rapinoe
- Trinit Rodman
- Sophia Smith
- Alyssa TThompson
- Lynn Williams
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