USWNT names roster for France, England friendlies

Jill Ellis has her team for the United States' friendlies against France and England. She has called 24 players in for the 13-day trip to Europe that will see the U.S. get their toughest test ahead of the Women's World Cup.

The U.S. will play France on February 8 in Lorient before heading to England for a February 13 clash in Milton Keynes. France are ranked No. 3 in the world, while England are No. 6, providing a big challenge for the second-ranked Americans.

Ellis pulled a bit of a surprise by including Tori Huster on the team. The midfielder doesn't have any caps, but she has played well for the Washington Spirit and should be in good shape after playing with the Newcastle Jets in Australia's W-League for the last five months.

The rest of the team is entirely predictable, with all of the players who have been regulars with the U.S. getting call-ups. That means the regular forward rotation of Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Amy Rodriguez and Abby Wambach, while Shannon Boxx is back in the squad alongside Carli Lloyd, Lauren Holiday, Moragn Brian, Tobin Heath and Heather O'Reilly. The defense is as expected too.

There are three notable absences, although both were expected. Hope Solo is not on the roster as she serves her 30-day suspension, while Megan Rapinoe and Christie Rampone both have injuries that have kept them from making the trip.

Roster

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

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), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns FC)

Midfielders: Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Tori Huster (Washington Spirit), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City)

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)