Groom and Sauerbrunn called up for U.S. friendlies

U.S. Women's National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named 24 players for the training camp roster in preparation for two matches against Switzerland.

"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 via press release. "That means several of our more experienced players won't be in for this camp while we get to evaluate some different personnel. In order to see if these players can contribute, we need to get them into a National Team training environment and in games."

In keeping with her statements about growing the pool, Ellis named 11 uncapped players to the roster.

FC Kansas City forward Shea Groom’s eight goals and aggressive attacking style obviously caught the eye of the national team coaches and earned Shea her first senior team call up. Groom has previously appeared with and scored for the U.S. U-23 team.

U.S. Women's National Team and FC Kansas City captain Becky Sauerbrunn was also called up from the Blues for these matches.

Former FC Kansas City defender Merritt Mathias (Seattle Reign) was also called up.

Ellis will select 18 players for the game day rosters for the matches with Switzerland on Oct. 19 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah and Oct. 23 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

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

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Stanford), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (7): 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 (8): 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)

FORWARDS (6): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Shea Groom (FC Kansas City), Ashley Hatch (BYU), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Lynn Williams (Western New York Flash)