U.S. National Team Picks Up FC Kansas City Captain Becky Sauerbrunn

With the September friendlies getting ready to start this weekend, it was just announced this week that FC Kansas City's captain Becky Sauerbrunn was named to the U.S. National Team. Becky joins 22 other players on the roster for two exciting matches this upcoming weekend and week against New Zealand.

The first kick-off is September 15th at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. (9 pm CT on ESPN2) and on Sept. 19 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati (6:30 CT on FS1).

“We are looking forward to getting to Denver and having a couple of days together prepping for our first New Zealand match,” Ellis said in an interview. “With only six matches left in 2017, we want to take advantage of the time we have together and finish the year with solid performances."

It won't be an easy task, though. Ellis went on to add that New Zealand, along with South Korea, and Canada will each be tough opponents. She also noted that this may be one of the hardest schedules that the USWNT has had to face in a year.