U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday the preliminary 25-player roster for the USWNT’s upcoming Tournament of Nations, with the roster being cut down to 23 before the opening match on July 26.
The roster includes:
Goalkeepers: Adrianna Franch, Ashlyn Harris, Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Jaelene Hinkle, Merritt Mathias, Becky Sauerbrunn, Casey Short, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders: Morgan Brian, Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Carli Lloyd, Samantha Mewis, Allie Long, McCall Zerboni
Forwards: Crystal Dunn, Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan, Kealia Ohai, Christen Press, Megan Rapinoe, Amy Rodriguez
Here for the ?.
United for the ?⚪️&?.
Our #ToN2018 roster has arrived.— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) July 18, 2018
With World Cup qualifying just around the corner in October, the Tournament of Nations gives the USWNT a chance to take on some of the top teams in the world before gearing up for France 2019. Follwing the tournament, the U.S. will take on Chile in a set of international friendlies on August 31 and September 4. The USWNT has not lost a match since the 2017 Tournament of Nations against Australia, a streak of 16 consecutive matches, including a victory in the 2018 SheBelieves Cup.
The U.S. camp will begin July 20 before taking on Japan in the opener on Thursday, July 26 in Kansas City (5 p.m. MT). The tournament also includes matches vs. Australia on July 29 in East Hartford, Conn. (5 p.m. MT) and against Brazil on Aug 2 in Bridgeview, Ill. (6:30 p.m. MT). All matches can be viewed on FS1.
All three of the U.S.’s opponents have already qualified for the 2019 Women’s World Cup. The U.S. is currently No. 1 in the FIFA World Rankings, with Japan ranked 6th, Brazil 7th and Australia ranked 8th. Australia took home the 2017 Tournament of Nations title after winning all three matches, outscoring opponents 11-3.
World Cup: France Defeats Croatia 4-2, Les Bleus Win Second World Cup Title
Opponents
USA vs. Australia
The U.S. is 25-1-2 all-time vs. the Matildas. The last match against Australia resulted in a 1-0 U.S. loss in the 2017 Tournament of Nations. Australia is led by NWSL goal-scoring sensation Sam Kerr, last season’s NWSL MVP anf the league’s all-time leading goal scorer (51).
USA vs. Brazil
The USWNT is 27-3-5 all-time vs. Brazil. The last match against Brazil was in the 2017 Tournament of Nations, when the U.S. fought back from a 3-1 deficit in the 79th minute to win 4-3. Brazil is led by Orlando Pride superstar Marta, a five-time Women’s World Player of the Year winner who has scored 110 goals for her country.
USA vs. Japan
The U.S. has faced off against Japan 34 times, with the USWNT leading 27-1-7 all-time. The last match against Japan was a 3-0 U.S. win in the 2017 Tournament of Nations. The two nations have faced off in the 2011 World Cup final (Japan wins on penalties) and the 2015 World Cup final, a U.S. victory highlighted by Carli Lloyd’s hat trick in the 5-2 victory.
Prediction
With a deeper and more experienced side with CONCACAF World Cup qualifying in October, the U.S. will win the tournament on home soil, avenging their loss in 2017.
Predicted finish:
- U.S. 7 points
- Australia 6 points
- Japan 4 points
- Brazil 0 points
