USWNT names 23-player squad for SheBelieves Cup
As the SheBelieves Cup kicks off in mid-February, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski announced his squad for the three-game competition.
It’s almost a completely NWSL-based group of players. The squad is pretty much a mirror image of the squad that traveled to New Zealand for two friendlies against one of the hosts of the 2023 World Cup. There, the United States won the two games by a combined score of 9-0. The only change is the return of Megan Rapinoe to the USWNT, taking the place of midfielder Sam Coffey.
At this miniature tournament, Rapinoe will have the chance to break 200 caps for the USWNT. She is currently on 197. If she can play all three games, she will be the 14th player in USWNT history to reach two centuries of appearances with the United States. Alex Morgan accomplished this feat on the trip to New Zealand.
Perhaps the general lack of change in the squad shows that Andonovski is locking down his squad for this summer’s World Cup. An experienced team, with five players above 100 caps and more who have at least 50.
USWNT Team for the SheBelieves Cup
Guardians
Adrianna French (Kansas City Current), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage) and Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders
Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns) and Emily Sonnett (OL Reign )
Midfielders
Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit) and Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit.)
Attackers
Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars) and Lynn Williams ( NJ/NY Gotham FC) Watch the SheBelieves Cup
The annual competition has perhaps its best plateau in the 2023 tournament. With the United States being the No. 1 team in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, they face Canada (No. 6), Brazil (No. 9 ) and Japan (#11).
In the SheBelieves Cup, each team plays the other three once. Matches are consecutive on the same day at the same venue. Matchday 1 is February 16 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Next, the competition moves to Geodis Park in Nashville, TN on February 19. Finally, the final game day will take place on February 22 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX.
All matches from the SheBelieves Cup television program are available on HBO Max. This is the first big event for US Soccer in its new contract with Warner Bros. Discovery. The USWNT debuted on HBO Max in those friendlies against New Zealand. The games are also available in Spanish on Peacock.
PHOTO: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire