The USWNT’s trip to Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup will welcome both familiar and new faces. Vlatko Andonovski, with the help of an impressive lineup of celebrities including the Bidens, Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, Shaquille O’Neal, and Lil Wayne, revealed the squad for the 2023 World Cup last week. With the tournament starting on July 20, the USA team is favored to secure a historic three-peat by bringing home the trophy, having won the previous two iterations in 2015 and 2019. Notably, 14 out of the 23 players on the roster will be participating in their first-ever World Cup, signifying a changing of the guard and the introduction of new names. Among them is 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson, who is the youngest member of the team.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the key players on the USWNT roster.
Alex Morgan, who currently plays for the San Diego Wave FC, is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and experienced players on the team. This will be her fourth World Cup appearance, having won the previous three with the USWNT. Morgan has been consistently successful in both domestic and international matches, ranking in the top 10 in USWNT history for goals, assists, and multi-goal games. Off the field, Morgan is married to Servando Carrasco, a former midfielder for Fort Lauderdale CF. The couple met during their college days at Cal and welcomed their daughter, Charlie, in May 2020. Morgan’s impressive career has also earned her friendships with high-profile figures like Taylor Swift, who even announced Morgan’s selection to the World Cup roster. Recently, she participated in a Calvin Klein photoshoot alongside England star Chloe Kelly.
Megan Rapinoe, currently playing for OL Reign, stole the show at the 2019 World Cup, winning both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards. As a veteran and idol of the team, Rapinoe will not only dazzle fans on the field but also take on a leadership role for the USA’s young roster. Rapinoe is engaged to Sue Bird, a former WNBA player, and together they boast an impressive collection of six Olympic Gold medals, three FIBA World Champion titles, and two World Cup wins. Rapinoe has also been a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ community, being one of the few “out” players in soccer.
Trinity Rodman, a forward for the Washington Spirit, comes from a famous sporting family as the daughter of former Chicago Bulls icon Dennis Rodman. However, she has made a name for herself in her own right as a rising star. Rodman’s fearless style of play has made her a valuable asset to the Washington Spirit, with her reported four-year deal worth $1.1 million. She is the second youngest player on the roster and will be participating in her first World Cup. Although she received a shoutout from Shaquille O’Neal following the roster announcement, she mentioned that she hadn’t spoken to her father in months but knows that he is proud of her. Rodman’s mother, Michelle Moyer, a former track athlete, has been a source of support for her.
Sophia Smith, who plays for the Portland Thorns FC, burst onto the scene in 2022 and was awarded the NWSL MVP title after leading her team to the championship. During her time at Stanford, she met her boyfriend, Michael Wilson, a football player for the university’s team. Their careers have taken off, with Wilson being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Draft. Smith’s decision to turn pro after just two seasons of college made her the first teenager to be drafted in the NWSL.
Alyssa Thompson, the youngest player on the roster at 18 years old, has already made a name for herself despite being new to the professional scene. She made headlines when she scored a goal in her professional debut for Angel City FC just 11 minutes into the game. Thompson’s rise to success started at a young age, as she was already a key player for the USWNT Under 20 team by the age of 17. She signed a deal with Nike, becoming the first high schooler to secure a contract with the sportswear giant. Thompson’s dedication to soccer has meant sacrificing certain experiences, such as missing her prom due to a game with Angel City.
Lynn Williams, who currently plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC, is a veteran of the NWSL with three titles, an MVP award, and a Golden Boot to her name. Surprisingly, this will be her first World Cup appearance for the USA.
Among the midfielders, Savannah DeMelo from Racing Louisville FC stands out as the only player on the roster who is yet to make her senior international debut for the USWNT. Despite this, her performances with Louisville have earned her a place on the team.
Julie Ertz, currently playing for Angel City FC, is a veteran player who played a significant role in the USWNT’s consecutive World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019.
The USWNT is shaping up with a mix of experienced players and promising new talents as they prepare to defend their World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
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