Houston Dash midfielders Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian and defender Meghan Klingenberg have been named to the U.S. Women’s National Team 23-player roster for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada by head coach Jill Ellis, it was announced today.
The trio will join the USWNT for final preparations following Houston’s match against the Boston Breakers on April 26. The United States will play three friendlies ahead of the World Cup: May 10 vs. the Republic of Ireland at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California, May 17 vs. Mexico at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, and May 30 vs. Korea Republic at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
The U.S. opens the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup against Australia on June 8, then faces Sweden on June 12 and Nigeria on June 16. The USWNT is a two-time Women’s World Cup winner, in 1991 and 1999. The team finished second in 2011, losing in penalty kicks to Japan.
This is the third World Cup roster for Lloyd. The 32-year-old has earned 192 caps for the United States and scored 63 goals. Lloyd has played in 11 career World Cup matches, scoring once. The Delran Township, New Jersey, native scored the opening goal in the Dash’s 2-0 win over the Washington Spirit on April 10 to start the NWSL season.
“It’s always an honor to make any roster, nothing is a guarantee at this level,” Lloyd said. “I’m thankful that I can be participating and we can be competing in my third World Cup. I’m thinking about it already at night before I go to bed; I’m so anticipating that opening game.”
Klingenberg and Brian are set to make their first appearance at a World Cup. Klingenberg, 26, has made 31 appearances for the USWNT and scored twice. Brian, 22, is the youngest player on the roster and has earned 26 caps for the U.S. with four goals.
“Getting a call to go to the World Cup is the biggest honor I have ever received,” Klingenberg said. “I cannot wait to represent my country to the best of my ability on and off the field. We’re excited to really go after it and hopefully bring the World Cup home to the U.S.”
“It’s a true honor to represent my country and play at a World Cup, especially at such a young age,” Brian said. “I’m really looking forward to the experience and think it will be something I remember for the rest of my life.”
All three players have appeared in all seven USWNT matches in 2015, while Klingenberg and Brian both scored in the United States’ most recent game, a 4-0 win over New Zealand on April 4.
2015 United States FIFA Women’s World Cup Roster By Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
DEFENDERS (8): Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), 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)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)
FORWARDS (5): Sydney Leroux (Western NY Flash), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach (unattached)
