Brian, Davidson, Ertz and Naeher set to represent USA
CHICAGO – With 40 days until the U.S. Women’s National Team’s opening match in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, U.S. WNT head coach Jill Ellis has named the 23-player roster to represent the United States. Four Red Stars players are included on the roster: goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, defender Tierna Davidson, and midfielders Julie Ertz and Morgan Brian.
“Selecting a World Cup team is a long process, and I want to thank the players – the ones that made the final team and the ones that didn’t – for all of their hard work over the past two and a half years,” said Ellis. “They all pushed each other in every training session and every game and challenged the coaches to make some tough decisions. These 23 players have been through adversity and success, and it’s a group that has the talent, confidence, experience and desire to help us win the World Cup.”
Naeher is the No. 1 goalkeeper for Team USA heading into the World Cup after winning the gold medal in 2015 as the backup to Hope Solo. Making her debut for the senior national team in 2014, she has since earned 43 caps and 23 shutouts. After a strong 2018 season that saw her earn a clean sheet in all matches for her country, Naeher was awarded the CONCACAF Female Goalkeeper of the Year. The Penn State alumna has been a standout in the NWSL, earning 20 shutouts for Chicago since being acquired via trade in 2016.
Davidson was taken with the first overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft by the Red Stars. At just 20 years of age, Davidson is the youngest player on the U.S. WNT roster for the World Cup and earned her first cap on January 21, 2018. Since her first cap, the Red Stars rookie has tallied 19 caps for the United States and has played every minute of the 2019 NWSL season for Chicago.
Ertz returns to the World Cup roster for the U.S. WNT becoming a breakout star for her country in the 2015 World Cup. The 2017 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, Ertz has appeared in 79 matches for the United States and scored 18 career goals. For Chicago, the captain has become a true force in the midfield as she has started every game in 2019. Since being drafted in 2014 by the Red Stars, Ertz has appeared in 86 matches for the club, including playoffs.
Brian is another returnee to the U.S. WNT World Cup roster after being the youngest player on the squad in the 2015 World Cup. The midfielder has been a member of Team USA since 2013, where she earned her first cap on June 15 and followed with her first international goal on September 3. Hampered with injuries for nearly two years, Brian has returned to Chicago in 2019 and has accomplished an 81.6% passing success rate, one of the highest in the league. The international veteran will bring a great deal of experience to the midfield that includes several players heading to their first World Cup.
The entire roster for the United States features three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards. The 23-player roster will make up the squad for the USA’s final three games before departing for France. The send-off series will include matches against South Africa (May 12, 3:30 p.m. CT; Levi’s Stadium), New Zealand (May 16, 7:00 p.m. CT; Busch Stadium), and Mexico (May 26, 11:00 a.m. CT; Red Bull Arena Salzburg).
This summer, the USA will face Thailand, Chile, and Sweden in group play at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Running from June 7-July 7, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be aired live on FOX, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2 and on tablets and mobile devices through the FOX Sports App.
2019 United States FIFA Women’s World Cup Roster
Goalkeepers (3): Adrianna Franch* (Portland Thorns FC), Ashlyn Harris** (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher** (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders (7): Abby Dahlkemper* (North Carolina Courage), Tierna Davidson* (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn* (North Carolina Courage), Ali Krieger*** (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara*** (Utah Royals FC), Becky Sauerbrunn*** (Utah Royals FC), Emily Sonnett* (Portland Thorns FC)
Midfielders (6): Morgan Brian** (Chicago Red Stars), Julie Ertz** (Chicago Red Stars), Lindsey Horan* (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle* (Washington Spirit), Allie Long* (Reign FC), Samantha Mewis* (North Carolina Courage)
Forwards (7): Tobin Heath*** (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd**** (Sky Blue FC), Jessica McDonald* (North Carolina Courage), Alex Morgan*** (Orlando Pride), Christen Press** (Utah Royals FC), Mallory Pugh* (Washington Spirit), Megan Rapinoe*** (Reign FC)
*First Women’s World Cup
**Second Women’s World Cup
***Third Women’s World Cup
****Fourth Women’s World Cup
Chicago Red Stars Player Facts and Storylines:
Additional Notes:
"*" indicates required fields