A pleasant surprise was Allie Long of Long Island and Reign FC as she joins fellow Long Islander Crystal Dunn of NC Courage and her teamamates Dahlkemper, Mewis & McDonald, as Allie is joined by her's, Rampinoe. Portland had a handful named in Franch, Sonnett, Horan & Heath, while Sky Blue had just one in NJ player Lloyd, Orlando has what may be the first couple on the same World Cup team in history as both Harris & Krieger will join Morgan. Starring for Chicago in France will be Naeher, Davidson, Brian & Ertz as the Royal treatment is extended to Sauerbrunn, O'Hara & Press as Pugh & Lavelle will be spiritied out to the World Cup. Carli Lloyd will be playing in her 4th World Cup, amazing right? As 6 get their 3rd nod, and 11 their first.
Coach Ellis stated, " Selecting a World Cup team is a long process, and I want to thank the players. They all pushed eachother. These 23 players have been through adversity. A group that has the talent, condifence, experience."
The last trio of games ahead of France will be v South Africa May 12, 1:30 p.m. PT in Levi Stadium, Santa Clara CA. St. Louis, Busch Stadium, on May 16 @7 p.m. CT. Finally, join us at Red Bull Arena with Mexico at Noon ET.
Read below for the depth and experience of this team some serious veterans and lots of young blood.
Kwik Kixx:
Carli Lloyd brings the most WC experience with her 18 games, 7 goals, all but one in 2015, she is also the oldest at 36.
5 Players have double digit games, Krieger with 13, Morgan & Rapinoe a dozen and Heath has 10.
2012 U-20 World Cup Winners are Dunn, Brian, Ertz & Mewis.
2008 U-20 World Cup winners are Naeher & Morgan.
2002 U-19 World Cup winner Harris.
16 have been parts of World Cup teams at the U-17, U-20 or both levels.
A pair of 30 year olds are World Cup rookies with Allie Long & Jessica McDonald, the top American goal scorer in the NWSL and only mother.
Equal to the 2015 team, the average age is 28.
Half a dozen players have scored in the tourney totalling 16 goals.
13 states are represented with 5 out of Calif.
Franch is the first from Kansas to make it to the world's stage.
23, yes all play in the NWSL with only one club not being represented.