Jill Ellis Calls 29 Players to First Training Camp of New Year
Jills Ellis has called 29 players to the first USWNT training camp roster of 2017 set to be held in Carson, California. The training camp will be in preparation for the SheBelieves Cup that features four of the top-five ranked national teams in the USA (1), Germany (2), France (3) and England (5).
Women’s Soccer News: U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named 29 players to the first training camp roster of 2017 as the Yanks kicks off the year with an event from January 13-23 at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, California.
Twenty-two of the 29 players recorded a cap for the U.S. in 2016. Ellis also named six uncapped players to the roster, including individuals that have proven their worth at the college level. Forward Amy Rodriguez, a member of the 2015 Women’s World Cup championship team, returns to the roster for the first time since giving birth to her second child this past summer.
“The players have had a good break since our last games in November, and I know everyone is anxious to get back to work,” said Ellis. “January Camp has always been valuable to set the tone for the upcoming year and it will be good for the players to get back on the field. For the staff, evaluation and performance remain the focal points during camp as we begin a build up to the SheBelieves Cup.”
The January training camp will be a major evaluation period for Ellis to choose a squad for the SheBelieves Cup, which – as the inaugural tournament did in 2016 – will feature four of the world’s top-five ranked teams in the USA (1), Germany (2), France (3) and England (5).
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (4): Jane Campbell (Stanford), Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (7): Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (11): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Kristen Edmonds (Orlando Pride), Christina Gibbons (Duke), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Wisconsin), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Taylor Smith (Western New York Flash)
FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea Ladies FC, ENG), Jessica McDonald (Western New York Flash), Alex Morgan (Olympique Lyonnais, FRA), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Lynn Williams (Western New York Flash)
Photo Credit: U.S. Soccer