Ellis names USA training camp ahead of European friendlies

US women’s national team head coach Jill Ellis has named her 26-player roster for two away friendlies against France and Spain.

GOALKEEPERS (4): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 3/0), Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 19/0), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 38/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage; 30/0), Tierna Davidson (Stanford; 12/1), Crystal Dunn (NC Courage; 75/24), Emily Fox (UNC; 2/0), Kelley O’Hara (Utah Royals FC; 112/2), Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC; 149/0), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars; 27/0), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC; 26/0)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Morgan Brian (Chicago Red Stars; 81/6), Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars; 2/0), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 73/18), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 62/7), Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit; 20/6), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage; 41/8), McCall Zerboni (NC Courage; 7/0)

FORWARDS (7): Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC; 142/25), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC; 265/105), Jessica McDonald (NC Courage; 3/1), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride;153/98), Christen Press (Utah Royals FC; 106/46), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit; 43/12), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC; 145/41)

The team will head to Europe first for their usual January training camp, though this time in the Algarve region instead of in California, followed by the two games. “Inviting seven central midfielders and seven forwards for three starting positions each, speaks to the depth and competitiveness of the front six,” said Ellis via US Soccer press release.

Joining training camp after not being named on the roster for the last games the USWNT played are Jane Campbell, Tierna Davidson, Kelley O’Hara, Morgan Brian, and McCall Zerboni. Some of these players are coming back from injury; Zerboni fractured her elbow in her last game for the USWNT against Chile, O’Hara had ankle surgery in October, and Davidson picked up a nasty ankle fracture from a bad tackle while playing for Stanford.

Out from the last roster are Merritt Mathias, Allie Long, and Andi Sullivan. While there are still 10 games for the US to play until the World Cup, this training camp roster is certainly not irrelevant to Ellis’ final decision, particularly given the choice of opponents they’ll face while in Europe. We can also probably make some inferences from whomever Ellis chooses to cut from training camp for her game day rosters.

Schedule:

USA vs France
Le Havre
January 19, 2:30 PM ET
FS1

USA vs Spain
Alicante
January 22, 2:30 PM ET
ESPN2, UDN