USWNT calls up four FC Kansas City players for Algarve Cup

Over the weekend, U.S. Women's National Team head coach Jill Ellis named the roster for the 2015 Algarve Cup in Portugal. This is the 20^th Algarve Cup for the U.S. team. Before the tournament, Ellis will name 23 players to the official roster that will play Norway, Switzerland and Iceland in Group B.

Among the 25 players named to the travel squad are four FC Kansas City players. Defender Becky Sauerbrunn, midfielders Lauren Holiday and Heather O'Reilly and forward Amy Rodriguez will travel to Portugal.

The Blues keeper, Nicole Barnhart was left off the roster after Hope Solo was reinstated. Solo had served a 30-day suspension last month. Barnie (as she is known to her fans) was on the previous U.S. roster during Solo's suspension but did not play in either match.

The U.S. will face 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup participant Norway on March 4 (2 p.m. ET) at the Municipal Stadium in Vila Real de San Antonio, Switzerland on March 6 (12 p.m. ET), also in Vila Real de San Antonio and Iceland on March 9 at Municipal Stadium Lagos (1:30 p.m. ET).

"The value of the Algarve Cup is of course great games against top teams in a tournament format without much rest," said Ellis via press release. "In any year, this tournament presents great challenges, but as we continue to progress towards the World Cup, we want to get tested at the highest possible levels. Our opponents at this tournament give us another opportunity to gauge our depth and fitness."

Group A features Germany, Brazil, Sweden and China PR. Group C features host Portugal, Japan, France and Denmark.

U.S. Women's National Team Roster By Position:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
DEFENDERS (10): Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)
FORWARDS (5): Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach (Western NY Flash)