USA Women's Soccer Roster Revealed for Rio 2016 Olympics | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
The United States women's national soccer team have announced their 18-woman squad for the 2016 Olympics.
Head coach Jill Ellis has been tasked with leading the World Cup winners to glory in Rio de Janeiro following three successive Olympic triumphs.
The Stars and Stripes would become the first nation to ever follow up a World Cup win with Olympic gold if they won the tournament.
2015 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd is the headliner of America's squad. She will be joined by goalkeeper Hope Solo and fellow midfielder Tobin Heath.
The USWNT confirmed the squad via their official Twitter account:
U.S. Soccer WNT @ussoccer_wntIntroducing your 2016 U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team: #OneNationOneTeam #RoadToRio
| 2016 Rio Olympics USWNT Squad | ||
| Hope Solo | Goalkeeper | Seattle Reign |
| Alyssa Naeher | Goalkeeper | Chicago Red Stars |
| Becky Sauerbrunn | Defender | FC Kansas City |
| Julie Johnston | Defender | Chicago Red Stars |
| Ali Krieger | Defender | Washington Spirit |
| Meghan Klingenberg | Defender | Portland Thorns |
| Kelley O'Hara | Defender | Sky Blue FC |
| Whitney Engen | Defender | Boston Breakers |
| Carli Lloyd | Midfielder | Houston Dash |
| Morgan Brian | Midfielder | Houston Dash |
| Tobin Heath | Midfielder | Portland Thorns |
| Lindsey Horan | Midfielder | Portland Thorns |
| Allie Long | Midfielder | Portland Thorns |
| Megan Rapinoe | Midfielder | Seattle Reign |
| Alex Morgan | Attacker | Orlando Pride |
| Christen Press | Attacker | Chicago Red Stars |
| Mallory Pugh | Attacker | Real Colorado/UCLA |
| Crystal Dunn | Attacker | Washington Spirit |
| Alternates | ||
| Ashlyn Harris | Goalkeeper | Orlando Pride |
| Emily Sonnett | Defender | Portland Thorns |
| Heather O'Reilly | Midfielder | FC Kansas City |
| Samantha Mewis | Midfielder | Western New York |
| SI.com | ||
Ellis' roster has plenty of Olympic experience, with 53 combined appearances.
"We've got a great blend of players with experience at the Olympic Games and in major events along with the youthful energy of some players who did not play in the Women's World Cup last summer," Ellis remarked, via U.S. Soccer. "As a coach in the Olympic Games, you want to put together a group capable of reaching the top of the podium while also being mindful of getting players prepared for the next World Cup, and I think we've done that."
Per Sports-Reference.com, 41-year-old Christie Rampone would have become the oldest female soccer player ever to grace the Olympics. However, her knee injury and subsequent surgery in December put an end to her hopes of recording a fifth consecutive Olympics with the USA.
Conversely, 18-year-old forward Mallory Pugh will be the second-youngest American soccer player since Louis Menges in 1904 to feature at the Olympics, per Sports-Reference.com.
Ultimately, the decisions made by Ellis were fairly straightforward. During last year's World Cup, it appeared it would be a begrudging task to narrow the national team to just 18 players. However, a number of factors have simplified the coach's thinking.
First, Abby Wambach, Lauren Holiday, Shannon Boxx and Lori Chalupny all retired, and then Amy Rodriguez and Sydney Leroux each became pregnant. From that moment on, the crux of the key decision-making had already been decided.
The USA's back five are a balanced and well-organised unit, complemented by the forward-thinking of Pugh and Crystal Dunn.
There were no surprises for FourFourTwo USA Editor Jeff Kassouf:
Jeff Kassouf @JeffKassoufMegan Rapinoe makes the roster, as does Engen, Long and Naeher. No surprises. #USWNT
Heading into the tournament in Brazil, the defending champions have been drawn alongside New Zealand, France and Colombia during the group stage, with matches set for August 3, 6 and 9 before the knockout stage begins.
