USA Women’s World Cup team led by Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe

United States coach Vlatko Andonovski named his 23-player squad on Wednesday for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe each picked to the team for the fourth time of their careers and 14 gamers making their World Cup debuts.

Veteran Julie Ertz additionally made the reduce after getting back from an damage in April after an extended spell away from the sport, whereas Alyssa Thompson, her Angel City FC teammate and NWSL No. 1 decide in 2023, was additionally included for the event in Australia and New Zealand, which kicks off on July 20.

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The gamers have been launched with a star-studded social media put up that included President Joe Biden, first girl Jill Biden, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne and Megan Thee Stallion.

Rapinoe is the oldest participant on the roster at 37. She will flip 38 on July 5.

Andonovski confused the significance of Rapinoe’s management.

“Megan Rapinoe is probably going to have a different role than last World Cup or previous two World Cups,” he informed reporters Wednesday. “She is going to have different types of minutes, but her leadership role is so important and her performance on field is very valuable for us. She is expected to have minutes in sendoff game.”

Asked about becoming a member of Rapinoe for his or her fourth World Cup collectively, Morgan stated: “I am as excited as I was for my first World Cup.

“I hope to make the most important affect for this team on and off the sector. I need to present youthful gamers who haven’t been in a serious event what to anticipate. I’ve already talked to a number of the different skilled gamers [like Rapinoe] about find out how to rally these gamers and the way we will all come collectively and be extremely fluid as we undergo this World Cup.”

Thompson is the youngest player on the roster at 18. She is the fourth teenager and second-youngest player ever to be named to a U.S. World Cup roster behind only current USWNT assistant coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak.

The two-time defending champion Americans will be without captain and veteran defender Becky Sauerbrunn, who was left out of the squad because of a foot injury she suffered in April.

Sauerbrunn, who won two World Cups with the USWNT, confirmed in a statement that she will not recover in time from her injury and will miss the tournament. She is one of several injured American players to miss the tournament, including striker Mallory Swanson, who went down with a knee injury in April.

Andonovski said he will not yet name a new captain.

“Becky will at all times be our captain; that’s how all people feels,” he said. “Unfortunately, she will be unable to be with us, and we’ve not but talked to team leaders. And I’d need to discuss to them and announce to team earlier than I make it public.”

Midfield stalwarts Sam Mewis and Catarina Macario are also sidelined.

“The job of choosing a World Cup team isn’t simple, however I’m happy with the gamers for his or her work ethic and focus throughout the course of and of our teaching employees for doing the work to place collectively one of the best team doable,” Andonovski said. “It’s the gamers that make the most important affect on our surroundings; they push one another to be higher, and I do know as a bunch they’re extraordinarily motivated to make our nation proud on the World Cup.

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“Every player has a different journey to get to this point, so our roster has some amazing stories, and we have a really good mix of veterans and younger players.”

The U.S. will face the Netherlands, Vietnam and Portugal in Group E play, with all of its matches happening in New Zealand. The 2023 version of the Women’s World Cup would be the first to incorporate 32 groups, up from 24 within the earlier two, each of which have been received by the U.S.

Final rosters are due July 9, and Andonovski stated he would make no bulletins previous to that date about alternates.

“In terms of alternative, we are not going to have any public announcements,” he stated. “But we do have names in place in case something happens in next 30-35 days.”

Andonovski singled out Thompson’s journey to this World Cup team spot.

“What a turn of events in last nine months,” he stated. “In October, she was playing youth soccer, and now in July she will be on biggest stage of soccer in general.

“Looking again, we had been following Alyssa since U20 World Cup. For us, Alyssa is a good participant with some distinctive expertise and skills, and we predict she goes to be vital for us at this World Cup.”

Full U.S. Women’s National Team roster by place (membership; caps/targets):

GOALKEEPERS (3): Aubrey Kingsbury* (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy* (North Carolina Courage; 14), Alyssa Naeher*** (Chicago Red Stars; 90)

DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook* (OL Reign; 24/1), Crystal Dunn** (Portland Thorns FC; 131/24), Emily Fox* (North Carolina Courage; 28/1), Naomi Girma* (San Diego Wave FC; 15/0), Sofia Huerta* (OL Reign; 29/0), Kelley O’Hara**** (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 157/3), Emily Sonnett** (OL Reign; 74/1)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Savannah DeMelo* (Racing Louisville FC; 0/0), Julie Ertz*** (Angel City FC; 118/20), Lindsey Horan** (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 128/27), Rose Lavelle** (OL Reign; 88/24), Kristie Mewis* (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 51/7), Ashley Sanchez* (Washington Spirit; 24/3), Andi Sullivan* (Washington Spirit; 44/3)

FORWARDS (6): Alex Morgan**** (San Diego Wave FC; 206/121), Megan Rapinoe**** (OL Reign; 199/63), Trinity Rodman* (Washington Spirit; 17/2), Sophia Smith* (Portland Thorns FC; 29/12), Alyssa Thompson* (Angel City FC; 3/0), Lynn Williams* (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 52/15)