The roster for the upcoming games against Canada has been released although now the page is no longer found on US Soccer's website, so there may be some upcoming changes (or just that the website is having its typical issues). The first game will be played on Nov 9 at 7 pm PT in Vancouver, Canada. It will be televised on ESPN2 and Univision (via livestream). The second game will be on Nov. 12 at 6 pm PT in San Jose, CA. Roster: Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell, Adrianna Franch, Ashlyn Harris, Alyssa Naeher Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper, Sofia Huerta, Kelley O'Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, Casey Short, Taylor Smith, Emily Sonnett, Chioma Ubogagu Midfielders: Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Carli Lloyd, Allie Long, Samantha Mewis, Andi Sullivan Forwards: Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Megan Rapinoe, Lynn Williams Scary good.Roster details » https://t.co/khN9aZTTNN#USAvCAN | #SquadGhouls pic.twitter.com/kzARIBuJSN— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 31, 2017
Franch, Sonnett, Ubogagu get call-ups. No Zerboni. Ertz now listed with midfielders, and Heath and Rapinoe listed with forwards, which all lines up with the 4-3-3 system Ellis has been playing. And I guess Ubogagu will be tried as an outside back.
Looking at that roster it looks to as if two positions to make the 2019 WC team are up for grabs at this early date. Goalkeeper. The starting position looks very open to me, with 4 people competing. Naeher may have the advantage, but not by much Harris makes mistakes; Campbell is young; Franch has a great track record in the NWSL. I wouldn't be surprised if she emerges as the starter. . R fullback: It seems to me that Ellis likes Short at left fullback. That leaves 4 players competing to start at right fullback: O'Hara, Smith, Huerta, and Ubogagu. O'Hara is versatile so most likely to make the team -- but not necessarily as a starter. Smith may have an edge as starter at the moment, but Huerta has played well.
Smith looked very good to me, in her earlier call ups. But, Ubogagu impressed a lot in her NWSL games. I'd say there's a real battle here for a starting and for a backup spot.
Yes, she was injured in the New Orleans game where she pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury. EDIT: There's a note at the bottom of the US Soccer website's article that now comes up: "Forward Mallory Pugh (hamstring), midfielder Rose Lavelle (hamstring) and midfielder Morgan Brian (hamstring) were unavailable for selection for this event due to injuries. Forward Crystal Dunn was not released by her club Chelsea FC, which is playing Champions League Round of 16 matches against FC Rosengård of Sweden."
Per usual Herdman calls up quite a few teenagers. Because the games fall outside a FIFA window, Europe-based veterans Sophie Schmidt, Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence are not included. G: Labbé (31), D'Angelo (24), Sheridan (22) D: Zadorsky (25), Quinn (22), Chapman (28), Agnew (22), Riviere (16), Young (16) M: Scott (30), Fleming (19), Kelly (25), Grosso (17) F: Sinclair (34), Beckie (23), Rose (18), Leon (25), Prince (22), Huitema (16) First call-up for Meagan Kelly, who plays for FCKC. She must have dual citizenship. Canada have played 8 matches in 2017, with a 6-1-2 record. Losses are to Spain in the Algarve Cup final, and Germany in an April friendly. The beat Mexico, Denmark, Russia, Sweden, and Costa Rica twice. Draw was with Portugal.
We are going to the Vancouver game. It will be my daughters’ first time; they are stoked. Anyone know the best chance to try and get them autographs?
If it's like any other stadium match in the states, the kiddies start lining up at the walls around 10-7-5 minutes before the match ends. Getting their autographs can be tricky, sometimes the players will spend a lot of time signing, but other times they just want to GTFO. I remember it being super hard getting Abby Wambach's autograph because she would just go to a particular section(usually the pricier middle section of the wall) and only sign there and then leave. I lucked out and got Alex Morgan, Syd Leroux, O'Hara,Lloyd Pinoe and O'Reilly all at the cheap endzone wall area where I was seated one year. Send the kid down and let them know it's not guaranteed so they aren't super bummed out if it doesn't happen. Also if you pay an extra premium, you can do the VIP meet and autograph session thingee they sometimes do at games if you want your kid to 100 percent get an autograph. "super star" players like Lloyd, Morgan and Pinoe are probably going to either not sign at all or play "hard to get" meaning, they'll selectively go to a higher priced area for a second and then leave.
Honestly they are morons missing such important opportunities to grow the women's audience. My kid went to see them with a group. They actually tried to get away from the kids! My kid's response, "they are really arrogant". They missed a huge marketing opportunity and the USSF should REQUIRE them to sign autographs and also, imagine this, be pleasant to the little fans. You won't grow the market of savvy dad's paying the bill for women's soccer by making people feel you are a prima dona all the while playing boring, unsophisticated soccer. If I have to watch women's soccer with my kids then at least I would like them happy wearing their autographed jersey. I pray the next generation of little girls grow up playing entertaining soccer and translate those abilities to the next level. There is no biological reason that women can't play soccer, yes a little slower and less powerfully, but just as skillfully and as entertaining as men. Look at basketball. Totally evolving into an entertaining game. Rivals mens college basketball for me.
That's really too bad. Come to Portland, bring your kid, and see a Portland Thorns game some time, then stay after for your kid to have some contact with the players. That includes national team players. There's lots of player-fan interaction.
Live and Local frommmmmmmm - E n e m y T e r r i t o r y. BeachHead established, 75..... yes indeedeedo boys and girls, 75 yards from BC Place. Come on, I challenge you all to search your memory banks to remember the last Match we played at this particular location. Who would have thought, November 9th 2017 and Canada....Canada (or as McSkillz would say "Canathug") would be the only place on the Planet that you would want to be. And while we are on the subject, February 4th, why Why WHY isn't this a National Holiday in the good ole United States? Why hasn't Congress acted? - - What are they waiting for? Sure o yeah, July 4th Independence Day, well how about Independence from the Surge of Soccer, the Villain of Sports, the Antithesis of all things Good and Holy, the day Melissa Tancredi (the Head Stomper herself) retired!!!! Wouldn't you like another paid day off?? - Is there any more appropriate Day?? I think not. 26 hours and 12 minutes to Sport Euphoria. The Journey - yes, The Journey with these Women will ALWAYS...BE...GLORIOUS
Heath will not be playing (link to USSF article). She's still recovering from her ankle injury, and the staff have determined that she is not yet match fit. Since only 18 will dress for each match, she's not being replaced on the roster.
Also Ashley Lawrence has been added to Canada's roster: Great news! @AshleyLawrence has been added to the #CanWNT roster for #WNTRivalry pic.twitter.com/q9BzRG1Hit— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 8, 2017
Starting XI: The Yanks march north. Introducing the #USWNT's starting XI vs. Canada.Lineup notes » https://t.co/PbtLNpJJhl pic.twitter.com/zW75A0eRQs— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 10, 2017
Canada's starting XI: Starting XI 🇨🇦 #CanWNT #WNTRivalry pic.twitter.com/4QWBDiaYK0— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 10, 2017
hmmm....U.S. starting the first team against Canada. A big test for a few players who need to solidify their status as starters: O'Hara, Naeher, Horan, Williams, Dahlkemper. This should be a really good game.
I don't think Williams is trying to "solidify" her spot as a starter yet; she's just trying to stay on the team. Dunn, Pugh, or Heath are likely favorites to start over Williams if they were available. For the rest, yeah, it looks like their trying to earn starting spots. But I do think Dahlkemper pretty much has her spot. I think Ellis' preferred CB pairing right now is Sauerbrunn and Dahlkemper.
For those without cable/ESPN, Canada Soccer has a livestream happening here: https://canadasoccer.com/women-s-national-team-international-friendly-v-usa-p159335
Naeher has some communication issues with her backline, it seems. And now Rapinoe with one off the inside of the post and back out...doesn't get closer than that!
11' 0-0 US pings ball forward from circle top right to ~30m center, Morgan jumps facing away and back-heads ball wide to 25m box left. Rapinoe collects, turns RB #5 Quinn inside, cuts behind her down mid-left, shoots left instep quickly from 15m across mouth low. Ball rolls just past Labbé's left arm, off right post low, bounces out across goalline, cleared. Drat.@mPinoe hits the post! #USAvCAN scoreless through 20 minutes. pic.twitter.com/wq9H2uOZSH— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 10, 2017 14' 0-0 Morgan faces away at arc top left, quick turn-and-pass through Gate 2 (between the high RB and RCB) rolls way too fast for Rapinoe. Turf 17' 0-0 #6 Deanne Rose takes Short to the right corner flag, cross intercepted by Sauerbrunn(?). See how that duel goes tonight. 18' 0-0 Morgan slips another diagonal turn-and-pass from arc top left through Gate 2, still too fast for Rapinoe.