The USWNT’s 2023 Women’s World Cup roster prediction

The Women’s World Cup is now a bit greater than a month away, and the roster for the U.S. ladies’s nationwide group must be introduced inside the subsequent three weeks.

Those of us making an attempt to forecast the roster know that is probably the most unpredictable roster for the USWNT forward of a serious match in a while. As head coach Vlatko Andonovski mentioned in April after the USWNT’s ultimate worldwide friendlies earlier than the World Cup: “We have maybe 10 to 12 players that are fighting for six to seven spots.” That’s rather a lot, and it is also a departure from earlier tournaments, for which the squad was just about set months upfront.

Why so many query marks? One massive cause is the variety of accidents which have plagued the USWNT over the previous 12 months.

Some gamers could not make it again — Catarina Macario would’ve made this roster if she received slot in time from an ACL tear, however she lately introduced she will not be prepared. Samantha Mewis and Mallory Swanson — two roster locks when wholesome — are injured, releasing up spots for gamers who’ve by no means competed in a World Cup.

There are quite a few gamers, akin to Kelley O’Hara, Julie Ertz, Tierna Davidson and Casey Krueger, who’re solely simply returning to the fold after lengthy absences. Will Andonovski give spots to those gamers and bump the gamers who took their locations over the previous 12 months or so? Rose Lavelle has been out since April — will she make it even when she’s not 100%?

This can also be a roster that turns the web page from the 2019 World Cup in an enormous approach, which Andonovski all the time promised he’d do. Coaching selections imply the USWNT has lengthy been with out Tobin Heath, Christen Press, Morgan Brian and a number of other others from the 2019 tournament-winning squad, on high of the retirement of Carli Lloyd and accidents to others.

There could be some surprises when Andonovski publicizes his roster later this month, however right here is our roster prediction for who will characterize the USWNT when the Women’s World Cup begins in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.

Goalkeepers (3)

Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars):

She is the starter, and nothing will change that except she’s bodily unable to play. Despite there being goalkeepers who’ve arguably carried out higher within the NWSL over latest years, Naeher’s mixture of expertise and her latest reps with the USWNT make it clear she is the No. 1. Remember her clutch penalty kick save within the 2019 World Cup semifinal in opposition to England? Naeher has proved she will be able to ship in massive moments.

Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage):

Last 12 months it appeared like she received a passing look as somebody who might push for the beginning spot, however she by no means might fairly state her case and is now solidified because the No. 2 behind Naeher.

Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current):

Her consistency and reliability within the NWSL by no means translated to the USWNT, however her familiarity and expertise with the USWNT retains her within the combine. As the No. 2 in 2021, she was known as upon through the Olympics after an harm to Naeher, a match that solely appeared to push her additional down the depth chart.

Center backs (4)

Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns):

She’s the captain and a confidante of Andonovski’s. Her veteran management, expertise and temperament imply she might be at this World Cup enjoying an necessary function on and off the sector. This would be the 37-year-old’s fourth World Cup, and she or he has hinted it could be her final.

Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC):

In a place that tends to worth expertise and maturity, 22-year-old Girma has established herself as a participant who ought to determine prominently within the USWNT’s future. She’s within the high 10 within the NWSL in duels gained, recoveries and all defensive interventions on a per-90-minute foundation over the previous two years.

Alana Cook (OL Reign):

Cook has additionally been strong within the NWSL, albeit not on the stage of Girma, however the 26-year-old looks as if a lock anyway. In the USWNT’s previous 25 video games over 2022 and 2023, Cook has began 20 of them — given the funding Andonovski has made in Cook, it seems like his thoughts has been made up for some time.

Emily Sonnett (OL Reign):

Although Tierna Davidson appears to be a consensus choose amongst pundits and followers, we expect this can truly be one of many harder decisions for Andonovski, and we see Sonnett making the roster.

After tearing her ACL final 12 months, Davidson has been working her approach again to full sharpness since her return in April, however she and her Chicago Red Stars have struggled this season, conceding probably the most objectives within the league by a great margin. Davidson’s present type simply does not make her an apparent selection. Andonovski insists membership type issues, and now we have to take him at his phrase. To be honest, Sonnett’s ceiling is not as excessive as Davidson’s, however she has been in higher type these days.

Sonnett may play as a full-back, a middle again or perhaps a defensive midfielder, which is the place she has been enjoying this season for her membership, OL Reign. Sonnett’s potential so as to add depth at a number of positions makes her much more of a “utility player” than Davidson, who has performed as each a middle again and left again for the USWNT. (We’re itemizing Sonnett right here as an alternative of with the full-backs as a result of we expect she’s going to take Davidson’s heart again spot.)

Davidson’s expertise as a starter within the 2021 Olympic bronze medal-winning squad or as a backup on the 2019 World Cup could possibly be compelling, however Sonnett was within the squads for each of these tournaments too. Sonnett did not play massive roles in both match, however this can be a backup place that should not be anticipated to play an enormous function. That’s the place Andonovski has given Sonnett reps, having her come on as a second-half substitute in 5 of the USWNT’s previous six video games.

Full-backs (3)

Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage):

In the absence of Crystal Dunn, who spent a lot of 2022 away for the start of her first little one, Fox has emerged because the USWNT’s beginning left again. She might additionally play on the proper, and certainly Andonovski has began her there, even when she stays on the left for her membership.

Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns):

While Fox absolutely took benefit of Dunn’s absence and grabbed a spot, Dunn’s versatility stays far too invaluable to maintain her off this roster. Dunn can play both full-back place, and she will be able to play just about any place apart from goalkeeper at this level. Dunn was the USWNT’s left again on the 2019 World Cup, and it’d take advantage of sense to maintain her there on this go-round, however she will be able to begin on the proper if wanted.

Kelley O’Hara (NJ/NY Gotham FC):

With Dunn and Fox — two gamers who usually play left again — making certain the left is properly coated, now the USWNT wants some protection with a pure proper again, and that is the place selecting the roster will get tough.

O’Hara, a veteran who has gained two World Cups with the USWNT, looks as if the popular selection, however her latest bout of accidents is a priority. Sofia Huerta, 30, has the same profile to 35-year-old O’Hara — higher at attacking than defending — however much less expertise, together with by no means that includes in a serious match. Huerta featured in 20 of the USWNT’s 25 video games previously two years, whereas O’Hara has featured in solely 9, however that is as a result of O’Hara spent months sidelined with on-and-off accidents, making room for Huerta to play a lot.

Assuming that O’Hara has missed latest Gotham video games as a precaution and her ankle harm is not critical, search for Andonovski to lean towards her expertise. If not, Huerta is the subsequent best choice and will go forward of 32-year-old Casey Krueger, who can play on the proper or left however hasn’t had sufficient time with the USWNT lately after her personal absence. Krueger hasn’t been having the perfect season with the Chicago Red Stars both.

How Andonovski buildings his roster can also be a query that would dictate a few of these toss-up positions, however it does not make sense for him to deliver each O’Hara and Huerta (or Krueger) to occupy the second-choice spot for proper again. Relying on depth from Sonnett, who can play anyplace on the again line or within the midfield in a pinch, makes some sense.

Midfielders (6)

Rose Lavelle (OL Reign):

If Lavelle is wholesome, she’s not solely on this roster however is a starter. Worryingly, Lavelle hasn’t performed for membership or nation since April 8, when she suffered what Andonovski known as “a little knock” on the time. In the USWNT’s ultimate match earlier than Andonovski names his roster, she did not play out of what Andonovski hinted was an abundance of warning, saying, “this is not a game for us to take any chances.”

Yet, two months later, she nonetheless hasn’t returned. Reign coach Laura Harvey had indicated Lavelle was almost recovered from the unspecified knee harm, however then she suffered a setback. Harvey’s last update in late May was much less optimistic: “I hope that we get to see her before the World Cup, but honestly right now I don’t know.”

Lavelle isn’t any stranger to accidents, and with the World Cup not starting till July 20, and the USWNT’s opener on July 22, she’d have one other month of restoration time as soon as the roster is called. We must assume that even when Lavelle is not 100% she might be on that roster given her high quality, and for all we all know the Reign could be exercising additional warning forward of the World Cup.

Julie Ertz (Angel City):

For about two years, it appeared like Ertz wouldn’t be on this roster as she centered on her life exterior of soccer, opting to not signal for any membership groups. But 611 days since her final look for the USWNT, she made a shock return in April and catapulted to the highest of ESPN’s USWNT Big Board. It’s unclear if Ertz can presumably match her stellar type on the 2019 World Cup, however to make this squad she does not must. Her ball-winning, crunch-tackling, attack-stopping potential as a defensive midfielder has been irreplaceable.

Lindsey Horan (Lyon):

She can do a little bit of every little thing within the midfield, on and off the ball, and she will be able to affect the sport in quite a lot of methods. With Ertz possible the defensive midfielder and Lavelle the playmaker, Horan will play a extra all-around box-to-box function.

Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit):

If Ertz did not make the roster, Sullivan would’ve been the USWNT’s beginning No. 6, or defensive midfielder. But with Ertz returning, it appears Sullivan will as an alternative be relegated to a backup function.

Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit):

Given the query marks round Lavelle, having a viable backup in that function turns into all of the extra necessary for the USWNT, and fortunately Sanchez has lengthy seemed prepared for the job. She can play that artistic No. 10 attacking midfield function with maybe not the finesse of Lavelle, however she will be able to definitely be aggressive and harmful, which is what the USWNT will need.

Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC):

Now this train is getting tough. Does Andonovski even deliver six midfielders? He may not, during which case Mewis will not make it. But with the USWNT enjoying a system that requires three central midfielders and Lavelle’s lingering harm to account for, it would not harm to deliver one additional participant as an insurance coverage coverage.

This battle for an additional spot looks as if it is between Taylor Kornieck and Kristie Mewis (her sister, Samantha Mewis, who was so glorious on the 2019 World Cup, is injured). Mewis features the sting due to her versatility — she has performed all through the midfield and as a full-back, making her a coveted utility participant. Such gamers who can supply depth at a number of positions might be very important for a match just like the World Cup, the place typically it appears to be much less about which group has the perfect beginning 11 and extra about which group has the perfect depth. Mewis additionally was a part of Andonovski’s 2021 Olympics squad.

Wingers (5)

Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns):

With Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario each injured and lacking out on this World Cup, Smith goes to have to hold an enormous load as a aim scorer. Fortunately, she took an enormous step ahead within the NWSL final season, is in good type now and appears poised to have a breakout match.

Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham):

She would not have been a starter for the USWNT if Swanson was nonetheless on this squad, however now there is a spot on the wing for her to seize. She’s a strong aim scorer and a very good presser, and her expertise with the USWNT on the 2021 Olympics makes her a selection that Andonovski would possibly really feel extra assured in. Her good type within the NWSL proper now additionally bolsters her case.

Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit):

She’s not going to supply the aim scoring that the opposite wingers on this roster will — no less than not on the worldwide stage, the place she hasn’t had as a lot success in comparison with her NWSL exploits. But her passing and talent to arrange her teammates gives one thing completely different. Andonovski performed her within the USWNT’s previous seven matches all through 2023, and it seems like he was ensuring she’s prepared.

Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign):

She took the 2019 World Cup by storm, however that is most likely not going to be how the 2023 match in Australia and New Zealand will play out. Rapinoe might be 38 years previous and she or he has turn out to be extra harm susceptible, that means she’ll possible come off the bench to affect video games. Even if she’s not a 90-minute participant anymore, she has come via within the clutch and delivered in sufficient massive moments for the USWNT that there is no query she’s the substitute you need when you’re making an attempt to shut out video games.

Alyssa Thompson (Angel City):

Here’s the place Andonovski might zag a bit bit and shock some folks. At 18 years previous, Thompson can be the youngest participant on the USWNT roster after incomes her first cap solely eight months in the past.

Thompson has solely three caps with the USWNT, however her type within the NWSL is difficult to disregard. Her potential to slice via defenses together with her dribbling and her pace makes her an interesting substitute choice. Andonovski might view this as an funding in Thompson’s future with the USWNT whereas nonetheless moderately anticipating that she might step up if wanted. It would imply Margaret “Midge” Purce would simply miss out.

Strikers (2)

Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC):

For some time final 12 months, Andonovski appeared intent on discovering a substitute for Morgan, after which he got here round to the belief that there is not one.

If Catarina Macario hadn’t been injured, there is no query Morgan can be battling together with her for the beginning spot, however now Morgan is the clear No. 9. Driving at defenders face-up to aim, holding up the ball again to aim, attacking centrally or from huge areas — Morgan is a handful for defenses. And whereas which means she is usually tightly marked out of getting on the scoresheet, her off-the-ball work opens up scoring alternatives for her teammates.

Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit):

What do you do with a participant who has been glorious for her membership however comparatively unremarkable for her nationwide group? That’s the dilemma Andonovski finds himself in with Hatch.

Andonovski might determine to not deliver a devoted backup for Morgan in any respect — gamers like Smith and Williams are skilled strikers in their very own rights. But with Hatch coming off the bench or beginning in 15 of the USWNT’s previous 25 video games, together with 5 of seven video games in 2023, it looks as if Andonovski would’ve moved on already if he wasn’t satisfied.

Hatch could possibly be for the 2023 roster what Jessica McDonald was for the 2019 one: some additional peace of thoughts however little extra. McDonald was a backup at striker that the USWNT did not actually need or use (she performed 45 minutes the entire match), however in a nightmare state of affairs the place anybody on the entrance line will get injured, having her out there would permit for some continuity and minimal disruption.

The roster development

As pundits and followers argue over beginning spots, coaches are the primary to say a World Cup roster is not a couple of beginning 11 however a full roster. Playing doubtlessly seven video games in a four-week interval means rotation is important, and groups want depth in case of accidents or suspensions. For Andonovski, he must squeeze the utmost quantity of depth from 23 spots on the roster for his most popular 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations.

In 2019 beneath then-coach Jill Ellis, the USWNT had three goalkeepers (as required), seven defenders, six midfielders and 7 forwards for a 4-3-3, which is identical roster development we have predicted right here. Drilling deeper, we have got the identical variety of full-backs, heart backs and midfielders, however in 2019 the USWNT had 4 wingers and three devoted strikers.

Andonovski’s solely different main match roster, the 2021 Olympics, was a 22-player roster after 4 alternates have been added to the total roster as a result of pandemic, and he went with the identical configuration because the 2019 roster however with one winger eliminated.

If our predicted roster is the one which Andonovski goes with, it should supply loads of depth, with no less than three gamers as viable choices per area place. But within the positions the place he has related choices — Kelley O’Hara vs. Sofia Huerta vs. Casey Krueger is the tightest race of this roster — he has tough selections to make.

We’ll discover out what Andonovski has determined earlier than the USWNT gamers begin departing for his or her pre-World Cup camp on June 26.