Team To Play Switzerland August 20 in N.C.  

CHICAGO – U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named 19 players for the meeting with Switzerland on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, including Red Stars Julie Johnston and Christen Press. The match, which has been sold out since July 25, will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ussoccer.com.

“With the very short time together, we’re just bringing in these 19 players, but we’re excited about the chance to play a team that has some talented attackers and that will be in the World Cup next summer,” said Ellis. “It’s been tremendous to watch our players compete in the NWSL this season and I’m really excited to get them together for what will be another great test for our team.”

Johnston, a 22-year-old defender/midfielder from Mesa, Arizona, is having a stellar rookie season after being drafted #3 overall by the Red Stars in this year’s NWSL College Draft. She has started all 19 matches that she has appeared in for Chicago this season.

Press, a 25-year-old forward from Palos Verdes Estates, California, joined the Red Stars mid-season after completing a contract with Swedish-side Tyresö FF. In 10 starts she has registered 4 goals and is helping guide the Red Stars to the franchise’s first potential playoff appearance at the professional level. For her country she has scored 4 times and added 2 assists during 2014 in 598 total minutes of action.

The Switzerland match will mark the first meeting between the sides at the women’s senior level, a rare occurrence for the U.S. team, which has been playing international soccer for 29 years.

The match will likely mark the first attempt for U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo to break the USA’s all-time shutout record. She is currently tied with former U.S. great Briana Scurry at 71 career shutouts.

Switzerland is one of six nations that have already qualified for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where it will join host Canada. Switzerland has won European Group 3 with one match left to play in qualifying, taking 25 points from nine games with an 8-0-1 record ahead of Iceland and Denmark. The achievement marks the first time Switzerland has qualified for a Women’s World Cup at the senior level.

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position

GOALKEEPERS (2): Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)

DEFENDERS (6): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian (Virginia), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (WNY Flash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Heather O’Reilly (Boston Breakers), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

FORWARDS (5): Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach (WNY Flash)