2016 SHEBELIEVES CUP

World’s Top Teams Come To USA

Republished News from U.S. Soccer – U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has set the USA roster for the 2016 SheBelieves Cup, which will bring four of the world’s top five ranked women’s national teams to the USA from March 3-9.

The USA’s hosting of the 2016 SheBelieves Cup, which will be the top four-nation women’s international tournament in the world this year, will feature three doubleheaders: March 3 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida (Germany vs. France and USA vs. England), March 6 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee (USA vs. France and England vs. Germany) and March 9 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida (France vs. England and USA vs. Germany).

The USA’s first match against England will be broadcast on FS1 and its following two games against Germany and France will both be broadcast on ESPN3.

Ellis has named a 22-player roster that features 19 of the 20 players who helped the USA to the title at the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship while earning a berth to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil along the way. The roster includes the USA’s individual award winners at that tournament: MVP Morgan Brian, Golden Glove winner Hope Solo and Golden Boot winner Crystal Dunn. Ellis has also recalled 2015 Women’s World Cup winners Whitney Engen and Heather O’Reilly, who has 228 caps and 46 goals for the USA. Ellis also added one new player, handing Seattle Reign FC defender Lauren Barnes her first senior team call-up.

U.S. Women’s National Team SheBelieves Cup Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
DEFENDERS (9): Lauren Barnes (Seattle Reign FC), Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City)
FORWARDS (4): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado)

Tickets for all three doubleheaders are on sale through ussoccer.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and at all Ticketmaster ticket centers in the local venue areas. [Note: Tickets are not sold at either Raymond James Stadium or FAU Stadium except on the day of the event.] Groups of 20 or more can obtain an order form at ussoccer.com.

2016 SheBelieves Cup Schedule

The winner of the tournament will be based on total points (three for a win, one for a tie), with the first tie-breaker being overall goal difference, followed by most total tournament goals scored, then head-to-head result and lastly (if necessary) FIFA Ranking .

The USA is currently first in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings. Germany is ranked second, France is third and England is fifth. The USA, Germany and England all advanced to semifinals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with Germany beating France in a quarterfinal penalty kick shootout to earn its spot in the last four.

Conceived of and developed by the USWNT players, #SheBelieves is a movement to inspire young girls and encourage them to accomplish all their goals and dreams, athletic or otherwise. The campaign launched in the run-up to the 2015 Women’s World Cup and has grown since then as the team and its fans have taken its powerful message into their communities. The SheBelieves Cup adds a showcase event to the campaign, which will continue to spread its positive message to young women and girls.

Source: U.S. Soccer (www.ussoccer.com)