Jane Campbell (pictured), shown playing in the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, was received a call-up to the U.S. women's national team on October 6, 2016. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
CHICAGO – United States women’s national team head coach Jill Ellis named Thursday 24 players to the training camp roster ahead of international friendlies against Switzerland on October 19 in Sandy, Utah, and October 23 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Looking ahead to the qualifying cycle for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, Ellis omitted several veterans in order to make space for 11 uncapped players.
"Right now, we are in a phase where we want to try to expand the player pool, look at a number of players and start the long process to qualifying for the next World Cup," said Ellis. "That means several of our more experienced players won't be in for this camp while we get to evaluate some different personnel.”
All of the new players called up have previous international experience in the U.S. youth ranks. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell, a senior at Stanford University, competed in the 2012 FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, was a member of the 2014 U-20 Women's World Cup Team and previously trained with the senior team for one camp February 2013 as a 17-year-old.
Ellis also selected 2016 National Women’s Soccer League Golden Boot winner Lynn Williams, who scored 11 goals for the Western New York Flash during the regular season and netted two more in a 4-3 semifinal victory over the Portland Thorns on October 2.
The USA is 18W-3D-0L in 2016.
ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Jane Campbell (Stanford University), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS: Abby Dahlkemper (Western New York Flash), Arin Gilliland (Chicago Red Stars), Merritt Mathias (Seattle Reign), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Andi Sullivan (Stanford University)
FORWARDS: Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Shea Groom (FC Kansas City), Ashley Hatch (Brigham Young University), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Lynn Williams (Western New York Flash)
