Vlatko Andonovski announces USWNT World Cup roster: Rapinoe and Lavelle are in!
The head coach of the US Women’s team, Vlatko Andonovski, has officially unveiled the 23-player USWNT World Cup roster for the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. There has been much speculation leading up to this announcement, particularly due to the absence of key players such as captain Becky Sauerbrunn, winger Mallory Swanson, and Catarina Macario. Discover Vlatko Andonovski announces USWNT World Cup roster: Rapinoe and Lavelle are in!
Concerns were also raised about the fitness of Megan Rapinoe, who sustained an injury during OL Reign’s recent match against Kansas City, as well as Rose Lavelle, who has been working hard to recover from a knock suffered in the friendly match against Ireland in April.
The team’s lineup for the first game of the tournament against Vietnam on July 22 is yet to be determined. With Captain Sauerbrunn sidelined, Coach Andonovski faces the challenge of choosing a partner for Naomi Girma in central defense. Additionally, the absence of Mallory Swanson has raised questions about who will fill in at the left wing position, previously held by the 2019 World Cup winner.
Here is the confirmed 23-player USWNT FIFA Women’s World Cup roster:
| Position | Players | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Aubrey Kingsbury | Washington Spirit |
| Casey Murphy | North Carolina Courage | |
| Alyssa Naeher | Chicago Red Stars | |
| Defenders | Alana Cook* | OL Reign |
| Crystal Dunn | Portland Thorns FC | |
| Emily Fox | North Carolina Courage | |
| Naomi Girma | San Diego Wave FC | |
| Sofia Huerta | OL Reign | |
| Kelley O’Hara | NJ/NY Gotham FC | |
| Emily Sonnett | OL Reign | |
| Midfielders | Savannah DeMelo | Racing Louisville FC |
| Julie Ertz | Angel City FC | |
| Lindsey Horan | Olympique Lyon, FRA | |
| Rose Lavelle | OL Reign | |
| Kristie Mewis | NJ/NY Gotham FC | |
| Ashley Sanchez | Washington Spirit | |
| Andi Sullivan | Washington Spirit | |
| Strikers | Alex Morgan | San Diego Wave FC |
| Megan Rapinoe | OL Reign | |
| Trinity Rodman | Washington Spirit | |
| Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns FC | |
| Alyssa Thompson | Angel City FC | |
| Lynn Williams | NJ/NY Gotham FC |
Following the Vietnam match, the USWNT will face the Netherlands, their fellow finalists from the 2019 World Cup, in Wellington on July 27. They will then return to Auckland for their final group stage game against Portugal at Eden Park on August 1.
Having been crowned champions in the 2019 World Cup in France, the USWNT made history by becoming the first team to win the prestigious tournament four times. In Australia and New Zealand, they aim to secure an unprecedented third consecutive title. Germany is the only other team to match the USWNT’s current record of two consecutive World Cup wins, achieved in 2003 and 2007.
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