USWNT announces 29-player roster for January training camp

The United States will begin 2015 with a training camp at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA and Jill Ellis has her 29-player roster for that camp. The 21-day training camp will provide the Americans with a huge opportunity to grow and improve, something they need after a rough 2014 with the Women's World Cup just six months away.

The U.S. closed out 2014 with the International Tournament of Brasilia, where they won just one of four matches. All 24 players from the team that went down for that competition are on the January training camp roster.

Joining those 24 players are Shannon Boxx, Rachel Van Hollebeke, Nicole Barnhart, Kristie Mewis and Allie Long. Boxx is the most notable addition, as it marks the 37-year-old's first time with the team since 2012. With the U.S. struggling in central midfield, she could provide the team a much-needed improvement, although that may be asking a lot from an aging player. Long will also get a chance to help out in the center of the pitch.

Ellis' squad will convene on January 5 and train all the way through January 25. They will then get ready for a trip to Europe, where they will play at France on February 8, following by a clash with England on February 13.

With just six months until the Women's World Cup, a struggling team, holes in several places and a need to cut the team to 23 players by the beginning of the tournament in Canada, Ellis has her work cut out for her. This will be the Americans' longest camp until just before the World Cup so this is a very important three weeks for the team. If they're going to solve some problems, find their key players, fill in some holes and take a giant step forward, it will probably begin this month at this camp.

Camp roster

Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City), Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)

Defenders: Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns FC)

Midfielders: Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Virginia), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Kristie Mewis (Boston Breakers), Samantha Mewis (UCLA), Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

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