U-23 WNT prepares for Istria Cup in Croatia

The under-23 WNT is in Croatia preparing for the Istria Cup, an eight-team annual tournament that runs March 1-7.

Always a great time being home. Now off to Croatia with the 23's then back to DC for another season! @WashSpirit can't wait.

— Caprice Dydasco (@CapriceDydasco) February 27, 2016

The United States will play the senior Slovenia WNT, Poland's U-19s, and the France WNT B squad, which is mostly stocked with young players born after 1991 but has a few older ones mixed in. The 20-player American roster is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Jane Campbell (Stanford; Kennesaw, Ga.), Katelyn Rowland (FC Kansas City; Vacaville, Calif.)
DEFENDERS (6): Abby Dahlkemper (Western New York Flash; Menlo Park, Calif.), Caprice Dydasco (Washington Spirit; Honolulu, Hawaii), Kayla Mills (USC; West Covina, Calif.), Katie Naughton (Chicago Red Stars; Elgin, Ill.), Erica Skroski (Sky Blue FC; Galloway, N.J.), Christen Westphal (Boston Breakers; Brecksville, Ohio)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Mandy Freeman (USC; West Covina, Calif.), Christina Gibbons (Duke; Raleigh, N.C.), Shea Groom (FC Kansas City; Liberty, Mo.), Michaela Hahn (Western New York Flash; Titusville, Fla.), Rose Lavelle (Wisconsin; Cincinnati, Ohio), Havana Solaun (Seattle Reign; Gainesville, Fla.), Andi Sullivan (Stanford; Lorton, Va.), Samantha Witteman (Orlando Pride; Redondo Beach, Calif.)
FORWARDS (4): Makenzy Doniak (Western New York Flash; Chino Hills, Calif.), Tyler Lussi (Princeton; Lutherville, Md.), Toni Payne (Duke; Birmingham, Ala.), Taylor Smith (UCLA; Fort Worth, Texas)

As noted by US Soccer, Chicago's Danielle Colaprico was originally called up but had to be replaced by Michaela Hahn due to injury.

11 players from this roster have either played for or been drafted by an NWSL team, demonstrating the increasing involvement of club and country in America as national teams begin drawing more heavily from the NWSL pool.

With games played on March 2, 4, and 6, expect to see heavy roster rotation. The most interesting matchup is probably against France, as they've put serious effort into creating a competitive and modern women's program. Slovenia may be playing their senior squad, but at #62 on the FIFA ranking list, they may not pose much of a problem even for the U23s.

Among the Americans, keep an eye on Makenzy Doniak, who somewhat surprisingly fell to the second round of the 2016 NWSL draft. Rose Lavelle will also be interesting to watch, considering her recent time with the full WNT.

Games won't be broadcast as far as we're aware, so pay attention to @ussoccer_ynt on Twitter for updates.