USWNT 2023 WWC roster
It's all over media, but the USWNT roster is now set for next month. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37798559/uswnt-2023-fifa-womens-world-cup-roster-prediction.
GOALKEEPERS: Aubrey Kingsbury, Casey Murphy, Alyssa Naeher
DEFENDERS: Alana Cook, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Sofia Huerta, Kelley O'Hara, Emily Sonnett
MIDFIELDERS: Savannah DeMelo, Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis, Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan
FORWARDS : Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Lynn Williams
(For people who don't follow this, some of these players have famous relatives. As we all wear hear ad infinitum over this summer, Trinity's dad is The Worm. And no, she affirmatively does not want to be reminded of that. Julie Ertz's husband is Cardinals (former Eagles) TE Zach Ertz. Mallory Swanson's hubby Dansby plays on the Cubs.)
Frankly, we almost could field a better team of players who are missing the WWC due to injury (I mean, assuming they weren't injured). Those who will be most missed will be Cat Macario (arguably our best young forward), Sam Mewis (not long ago supposedly the best player in the world), Mallory Swanson (nee Pugh), and recently now Becky Sauerbrunn (would have been team captain).
So while most of the choices were obvious, we should have concerns. Way too much inexperience. Alyssa Thompson, everyone's shiny-new-thing, would have been on the bubble if all of Macario, Mewis and Swanson were available. 37 year old Megan Rapinoe probably shouldn't be on this team, but who else? Some formerly key players are just coming off injury and we don't know if they will be any good--Ertz and Lavelle. Also, this defense: the best defender (Dunn) is on record that she HATES playing defense; Cook and Huerta are prone to errors; probably the most talented defender (Girma) is basically, like Thompson, brand new; and Ertz has the aforementioned injury issue.
Changing of the guard? For years, relative to expectations, the USWNT roster has always been rock-solid compared to the USMNT. I'm not sure I would say that now! USWMN is still among the best in the world -- but very arguably not the best anymore, and, well, "we'll see," won't we; whereas USMNT are barely top 20 (if you're being honest, please disregard the FIFA rankings). BUT... the future for this USMNT roster (other than the stoopid coaching redeaux) looks like our expectations should be ascending, whereas I'm not sure I'd say that quite as confidently about the USWNT.
Mallory Swanson being unavailable is a big deal. She's arguably the best player the US Women have.
Totally agree. OP says UWNT is on way down but seriously? There is a ton of talent that is injured and unable to play. If they were available, the women's team would be the solid favorites to win.
I'm relieved Rose Lavelle made the team since she's been out with injury. Hope she's ready to go.
What, no mention of Christen Press? Miss her, too.
It sucks that we're missing such good players. Missing Sauerbrunn's veteran presence at center back has me a little concerned. Swanson was really looking good before her injury.
Well, the (other) younguns will have to step up. I see Savannah deMelo played her way onto the team.
I disagree about Pinoe. While I wouldn't expect her to be playing a lot of minutes, she's good at free kicks and PKs. And having that additional veteran presence on and off the field is an important intangible.
Macario and Pugh (Swanson) have been the best 2 attackers over the last few years - and that's with Cat hurt for a year! Sucks for those 2 ladies, and the team.
Becky is 38 but a stalwart in the back and the leader - going to be interesting to see the new generation back there.
Happy that Ertz is back - if things really go south in the back she may be an insurance policy as a center back as that was her old position before moving into the midfield.
No true back up for center forward so going to be interesting to see who subs in, in the 60th minute, when Morgan needs rest. (Smith is an option but is a likely starter)
I am excited about Alyssa T, think she could put an early stamp on her international career next month. Tearing it up in league play.
Hoping Rose is fit, she hasn't played since April I believe.
Becky is 38 but a stalwart in the back and the leader - going to be interesting to see the new generation back there.
At 38, how much could she have been reasonably expected to contribute on the field (unless as captain her major contribution would have been re leadership)?
I think she could have contributed a lot, just not 90 mpg every game.
About a decade ago, I thought there would be a slow decline in the success of the USWNT as the rest of the world, in particular Europe, started to put more resources towards women's soccer. I was wrong. If that ever happens, it will probably be decades into the future as I underestimated the continuing ramifications of Title IX.
The US should be able to stay right near the top of women's soccer. Obviously the US has a massive population, and girls/women playing sports is extremely common and much higher than most other countries (due to both cultural and legal reasons). So from a numbers standpoint there will always be a big starting advantage even as other countries continue to increase their support for womens' and girls' athletics.
What is key though is that for American girls soccer is more of a primary sport than it is for boys, so there is less loss of elite athletes to other sports.
For example, if a girl is equally talented at soccer, basketball, volleyball, and softball, but can only choose to continue to play one of those sports collegiately/professionally there is a decent chance soccer is the choice.
If an American boy is equally talented at soccer, basketball, football, and baseball, generally soccer would be by far the least likely of those to be picked... for now!. In another twenty years both the US mens' and womens' teams should be among the top squads in the world.
What makes the next 20 years likely for rapid U.S. improvement? Not disagreeing, genuinely curious.
I'm in my 40s, and for my whole life I've heard the U.S. will someday dominate (or at the very least, rapidly improve) in world soccer. It hasn't happened yet, at least not on the men's side.
The biggest issue with USA soccer in general is the lack of youth development. USA has had a huge start with allowing young girls to play soccer at a competitive level while the rest of the world is slow to invest into women's soccer. In the future, I can foresee USA having trouble maintaining the top spot stronghold because their youth development sucked and the rest of the world has had much better youth training with technical skills and creativity that comes with practices and street games. In addition to the lack of youth development, USA soccer is a pay-to-play where they emphasize games over practices.
It would take another generation before we see USAWNT fall into the rankings IMO.
Well, you're not necessarily wrong, it's just that change happens really slowly. I think there's potential in other countries that have an academy infrastructure on the men's side that clubs can replicate for women, and if soccer federations invest more money, as seems to be happening, then their women will be more competitive.
I'm not sure how extensive our academy infrastructure is for girls. It's only recently that we've seen teenage girls become pros. Olivia Moultrie had to sue the NWSL to play professionally. But I think that academy pipeline improving would be good for the US.
I watch a decent amount of Angel City Football Club so I have views on Ertz and Alyssa Thompson. AT is the truth, I am excited to see how she does in this tournament. Julie Ertz joined the club about a month ago and she's been really solid. She has made a noticeable difference in the midfield.
I have no idea how to handicap the USWNT's odds of winning, but I will be watching the tournament and cheering our women on.
whereas USMNT are barely top 20 (if you're being honest, please disregard the FIFA rankings).
IDK, they looked pretty damn impressive against Mexico and Canada. Honestly I'm pretty sure that was the best I've ever seen them play against high level opponents (particularly against Mexico with McKennie and Dest available). And I don't think it's particularly close. Yeah they've had some nice games in past generations with a blue collar, defense-first approach and just enough offense to win, but this midfield is driving them to new heights. And I certainly don't think they've ever fielded this much talent at once. When they're playing like that, I actually think they're closer to top 10 than barely top 20.
Which as an aside makes me very nervous for bringing back Berhalter. Despite having pretty much the same team (minus the new striker), they never looked as good as they did this past week, and I worry he'll drag them down instead of unlocking their potential (unless the plan truly is to replace him after another two years with a superstar coach like Pep Guardiola ahead of the 2026 WC...
Mark your calendars, first match is July 21 9:00 pm (July 22 1:00 pm New Zealand time) vs. Vietnam. Fox/Telemundo hold the U.S. TV rights.
Expanding the field is good for something: we're not in a group with Sweden again.
Rapinoe can't move anymore. Can she really justify a spot with her (still very good) dead ball skill?