USWNT SheBelieves Roster Review
With the SheBelieves Cup upon us, Twila Kilgore, the interim head coach of the United States Women’s National Team, has named the roster for the upcoming tournament. With the success of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, fans are eager to see the USWNT continue their win streak. This tournament also serves as insight for the Olympic roster.
Goalkeepers
The goalkeepers chosen for this tournament were Jane Campbell, Casey Murphy, and Alyssa Naeher. Naeher is America’s brick wall. After her stunning performance in the penalty shootout against Canada, it is a no-brainer to have her included in this roster. Casey Murphy also appeared in the group stage matches in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and has proven that her decision-making is crucial to the team’s success.
Defenders
The defenders in this tournament are Crystal Dunn, Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Jenna Nighswonger, Abby Dahlkemper, Eva Gaetino, and Casey Krueger. Many of these players were on the roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and made appearances during that tournament. Naomi Girma would be my one to watch, as she has a “no-nonsense-defending” style that led the team to victory.
Emily Fox has also been working hard in North London as a defender for Arsenal Women’s FC in the incredibly challenging WSL. Another defender playing internationally is Eva Gaetino, whose Paris Saint-Germain team has made it to the semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL).
Midfielders
The midfielders called up were captain Lindsey Horan, Sam Coffey, Olivia Moultrie, Korbin Albert, Emily Sonnett, and Lily Yohannes. Yohannes is only 16, but she made herself known by playing with AFC Ajax in the Eredivisie Vrouwen. Though they were knocked out of the UWCL, the team would not have gotten far without her.
Other midfielders playing in Europe are Lindsey Horan and Korbin Albert who play for Olympique Lyonnais and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively. Both have made it to the semi-finals of the UWCL, and Lindsey Horan is a key player in the star-studded team that is Olympique Lyonnais.
Forwards
Our final group of players announced were the forwards: Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Alex Morgan, Catarina Macario, Mallory Swanson, and Jaedyn Shaw. Seeing Swanson back on the roster and back on the pitch has been a relief for the team and fans everywhere. She has been out since last spring due to a left patella injury, but since returning, has already scored a goal for the Chicago Red Stars.
Catarina Macario is also a new face in the USWNT squad. She has been playing overseas in London for Chelsea in the WSL. Fans have been itching to see her on the roster for some time, and her stats for Chelsea show why. Since returning from her ACL injury a few weeks ago, she already has two goals and assists for arguably the second-best team in Europe.
Jaedyn Shaw, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Smith were the much-needed youth on the CONCACAF Gold Cup roster.
Shaw had the best performance in terms of goal-scoring during that tournament, and Sophia Smith saved the team from elimination with a last-minute goal against Canada. Trinity Rodman is a fast, technical, and creative player. It is hard to defend her as she has some of the best footwork in the world.
Final Thoughts
That being said, they need to have a stronger starting lineup. I recommend that they play in a 4-2-2-2 formation with Naeher as the goalie, and Girma, Davidson, Nighswonger, and Fox for the defense. The midfield would consist of Coffey and Horan, the wingers would be Rodman and Swanson, and Smith and Macario would be the starting forwards.
As many people know, the SheBelieves Cup is a United States-dominated tournament designed for the USWNT to win. I am not concerned about our chances of winning this tournament. However, I will watch for the chemistry between players and how everybody’s playing styles match up. This tournament will be entertaining, and I am excited to see how the USWNT dominates the playing field.
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