Starting with Coach Jill Ellis, the U.S. Women’s World Cup squad will have a distinctive mid-Atlantic flavor.
Six weeks before the roster deadline, the British-born but Virginia-raised Ellis on Tuesday settled on her 23-player team that will head to Canada this summer in pursuit of its first global title since 1999.
The squad includes two members of the Washington Spirit pro club, two University of Virginia Cavaliers and a former locally based scoring ace. Ellis, in charge since last spring, is a graduate of Fairfax County’s Robinson Secondary School and William and Mary, and was a college assistant at Maryland and Virginia.
Right back Ali Krieger and backup goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris play locally for the Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League. Krieger, who started at the 2011 World Cup in Germany, has deep local ties: She embraced the sport in Prince William Soccer, a youth club, and starred at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge. In spring 2003, she was The Post’s All-Met player of the year.
“I’m very honored and privileged to represent my country as a member of this incredible group of footballers,” Krieger said. “We are well-prepared, motivated, determined and ready to succeed.”
Defender Becky Sauerbrunn and midfielder Morgan Brian came from the elite U-Va. program. Sauerbrunn, 29, also played for the Washington Freedom in the WPS, the NWSL’s predecessor. At 22, Brian is the youngest member of the U.S. squad. In both 2013 and ’14, she won the Hermann Trophy as the nation’s best collegiate player.
Krieger, Brian and Sauerbrunn are expected to start for the Americans, who lost to Japan in the 2011 final and are No. 2 behind Germany in the current FIFA rankings.
Krieger, 30, is recovering from a concussion, her second in less than two years, suffered in last Friday’s season debut in Houston. She is doubtful for the Spirit’s home opener this Saturday night against defending champion FC Kansas City at Maryland SoccerPlex.
The core of the U.S. squad remains in place: goalkeeper Hope Solo, defender Christie Rampone, midfielders Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday, and forwards Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach.
Ellis will open U.S. camp in earnest May 3 in Southern California, the day after most players compete in their final NWSL matches before the World Cup. (The Portland Thorns are off that weekend.)
Wambach, the world record-holder for international goals, is not playing in the NWSL this spring in order to focus on the World Cup. (The Seattle Reign holds her league rights.)
Wambach, too, has D.C. connections: She served with the Freedom in 2002-03 (WUSA) and 2009-10 (WPS).
The roster announcement lacked intrigue. Judging by roster selections, Ellis seemed almost settled on her group the past few months. Among the few lingering questions were whether she would take Spirit defender-midfielder Crystal Dunn, 22, and veteran Rachel (Buehler) van Hollebeke. Both struggled with injuries and made only one appearance apiece this year.
The Americans will play three friendlies ahead of the tournament: Ireland on May 10 in San Jose, Mexico on May 17 in Carson, Calif., and South Korea on May 30 in Harrison, N.J.
At the World Cup, the U.S. team’s first two matches are in Winnipeg: June 8 against 10th-ranked Australia and June 12 against No. 5 Sweden. The Group D finale is June 16 against No. 33 Nigeria in Vancouver.
If the Americans fulfill expectations and finish first in the group, their path to the July 5 final in Vancouver will take them to Edmonton for the round of 16, Ottawa for the quarterfinals and Montreal for the semifinals.
With artificial turf in use in all six Canadian venues, Ellis’s build-up to the tournament will have to balance the need to acclimate with avoiding the wear and tear of extended time on it. All three tuneup matches will take place on grass. In case of injuries, Ellis has the flexibility to make roster changes leading up to the opening match.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Hope Solo (Seattle Reign), Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers).
Defenders: Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Whitney Engen (Western New York Flash).
Midfielders: Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City), Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars).
Forwards: Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Sydney Leroux (Western New York Flash), Abby Wambach (Seattle Reign; inactive), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City).
