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Now that January Camp is over it’s time for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) to play their first official game of 2017. Instead of playing in the Algarve Cup the US Women will dive right into the deep end by playing in the She Believes Cup for the second consecutive year here in the US.
The first game is today, March 1, 2017, against the world’s number two team Germany (the United States are number one). One could say it gets easier from there (but not much). On Saturday, March 4th, the USWNT plays England (number five in the world) and then they close out the tournament against France (third in the world) on Tuesday, March 7th. Every game is a double-header with the other two teams playing one another the same day.
Two-time NWSL Champions FC Kansas City are only represented by one player, center back Becky Sauerbrunn. Former FCKC midfielder Heather O’Reilly has retired from National Team duty and is actually playing for the Arsenal Ladies in the FA WSL. Amy Rodriguez, who is returning from missing the 2016 season after having her second child, was cut from the roster just before the tournament began. Head coach Jill Ellis had the following to say:
“With Amy, again, making sure we give these players an evaluation is important. I think A-Rod in truth, is further ahead of where I thought she’d be after a year off. Not only is Amy playing her way back, but she is also processing a lot of new information from the end of the World Cup until now. The messaging was similar, keep progressing and return to your club environment and be ready to get after it in your pre-season.”
Below is the full roster.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (6): Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), 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), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), Carli Lloyd (Manchester City), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Brianna Pinto (CASL)
FORWARDS (6): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea Ladies FC), Jessica McDonald (NC Courage), Alex Morgan (Olympique Lyonnais), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (UCLA), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)
Schedule and How to Watch
- March 1 - USA vs. Germany - 6 PM CT (FS1)
- March 4 - USA vs. England - 4 PM CT (FOX)
- March 7 - USA vs. France - 6 PM CT (FS1)
The US Soccer matches are also available on the FOX Sports Go and FOX Soccer 2Go mobile apps and through FOXSportsGo.com. Tickets appear to still be available if you happen to live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Washington D.C.