U.S. roster has mix of old and new
Christie Rampone, a veteran, and young Morgan Brian were among those picked.
U.S. women's national team coach Jill Ellis thinks her World Cup roster includes a good mix of veterans and newcomers.
Among those on the 23-player squad announced Tuesday were Christie Rampone, preparing for her fifth World Cup, and 22-year-old Morgan Brian, getting ready for her first.
"I actually think we've got a really good balance," Ellis said. "How we're going to utilize players is part of the strategy going into this World Cup."
Seeking their third title and first since 1999, the Americans open World Cup play against Australia on June 8 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Rampone, who sat out a 4-0 exhibition win over New Zealand on April 4, will turn 40 during the World Cup and is the oldest member of the team. Only four women have played in five World Cups: fellow American Kristine Lilly, Brazil's Formiga, Germany's Birgit Prinz, and Japan's Homare Sawa.
Brian, the youngest player on the roster, played for Virginia in the College Cup final in early December before accompanying the U.S. team to Brazil for a tournament.
She kicked off this year by winning her second straight Hermann Trophy as the top women's college soccer player and was the top pick in the National Women's Soccer League draft by the Houston Dash.
"For me it's just been a whirlwind. I don't think it's going to sink in because you just think to yourself 'I'm on the United States women's national team playing in a World Cup,' and that's insane to me," Brian said. "It's cool to finally have that dream come true."
She joins seven other players making their World Cup roster debuts, including goalkeepers Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher; defenders Whitney Engen, Julie Johnston and Meghan Klingenberg; and forwards Sydney Leroux and Christen Press.
Ellis called players Friday and Saturday to let them know.
United States Roster
The 23 players announced Tuesday for the U.S. roster for the Women's World Cup:
Player Pos. NWSL team
Shannon Boxx M Chicago
Morgan Brian M Houston
Lori Chalupny D Chicago
Whitney Engen D Western New York
Ashlyn Harris GK Washington
Tobin Heath M Portland
Lauren Holiday M Kansas City
Julie Johnston D Chicago
Meghan Klingenberg D Houston
Ali Krieger D Washington
Sydney Leroux F Western New York
Carli Lloyd M Houston
Alex Morgan F Portland
Alyssa Naeher GK Boston
Kelley O'Hara D Sky Blue
Heather O'Reilly M Kansas City
Christen Press F Chicago
Christie Rampone D Sky Blue
Megan Rapinoe M Seattle
Amy Rodriguez F Kansas City
Becky Sauerbrunn D Kansas City
Hope Solo GK Seattle
Abby Wambach F -
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