Washington Spirit attacker Crystal Dunn was among 20 players named to the U.S. squad heading to Texas next month for the Olympic qualifiers. (Todd Warshaw — Getty Images)
Jill Ellis narrowed the U.S. women’s national soccer team roster to 20 players for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament next month, three fewer than allowed for the 2015 World Cup. The player pool, though, was smaller than last year because of four retirements, two injuries and two pregnancies.
The squad includes 13 players from last summer’s championship, including Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan and six other starters. Heavily favored to claim one of the region’s two berths in Brazil, the four-time gold medalists will open group play in Frisco, Tex., on Feb. 10. The decisive semifinals are Feb. 19 in Houston.
Two veteran forwards will not compete: On Monday, Sydney Leroux announced she is pregnant with her first child, joining Amy Rodriguez, who last month said she will have her second child this year. While neither was expected to start, their absences impact frontline depth and contributed to Ellis’s selection of Stephanie McCaffrey, 22, and Mallory Pugh, who turns 18 this spring. Pugh, who committed to UCLA, scored in her senior national team debut Saturday, a 5-0 victory over Ireland in San Diego.
Other regulars out of contention: Midfielder Megan Rapinoe is sidelined for months with an ACL injury and defender Christie Rampone is out after undergoing minor knee surgery. Forward Abby Wambach, midfielders Lauren Holiday and Shannon Boxx, and defender Lori Chalupny retired after the victory tour in the fall.
Two active World Cup members were not chosen: defender Whitney Engen and midfielder Heather O’Reilly.
The newcomers include defender Emily Sonnett, the NWSL’s first overall draft pick from the University of Virginia; and attacker Crystal Dunn, who, in her second year with the Washington Spirit, was the NWSL’s 2015 MVP. Both have featured with the national team in recent months.
“With only 17 field players allowed on the roster, and minimal time in between matches, I think we have one of the most versatile rosters ever for a qualifying tournament,” Ellis said. “Most of the field players are capable of playing at least two positions and, as CONCACAF competitions generally present teams that will sit low and get numbers behind the ball, it is important to have players that can individually and collectively break teams down to create chances.”
Teams that qualify for the Olympics are limited to 18 players.
USA ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Hope Solo (Seattle Reign), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars).
Defenders: Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Megan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns), Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash).
Midfielders: Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash).
Forwards: Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Stephanie McCaffrey (Boston Breakers), Mallory Pugh (Mountain Vista High School, Colorado).
Canada, the other CONCACAF favorite, announced its squad Monday.
