January 2017 USWNT Camp

I'm surprised Morgan Andrews didn't get a call up to the full WNT after Andi Sullivan's injury.
I thought she'd make a very nice replacement.

 

The real eye opener is Taylor Smith. Doesn't get drafted. Plays mostly as a reserve for WNY with only 5 starts and now she is getting a look on the NT.

 

I agree; the biggest surprise to me is Smith. Its not that she isn't a good player, but I can think of several players who I thought would be called up from the past NWSL season before Smith.

The other surprise is that there doesn't seem to be any friendly game attached to this camp. There is a FIFA window from Jan. 16-24, so its a bit of a surprise that the WNT will not be playing a match then.

 

Winning the NWSL championship sure helped; 5 Flash players on this roster. Also, there are 5 Thorns, 4 Red Stars, and 2 former Spirit players. NWSL final four teams are pretty well represented; they account for more than half the roster.

 

Some quotes from Jill Ellis regarding this camp.

 

WNY Flash --> #11 Taylor Smith

Position: F
Date of Birth: 12/01/1993
Height: 5' 3"
College Experience: UCLA
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas

Biography:
International
Has represented Team USA on the U-14, U-18, U-20, and U-23 teams … 2015: Scored game-winning goal against England to help the Team USA U-23’s win the Four Nations Tournament.

College
Played at UCLA for four seasons … Started 80 games for the Bruins, scoring 27 goals and 22 assists in 4 seasons … 2015:Played and started in 14 games … Scored 2 goals and 2 assists …2014: Started all 24 games for the Bruins and was second on the team in goals scored with 9 … 2013: Scored 8 goals and had 11 assists during UCLA’s National Championship season … Played in all 26 games and started 25 … First team All-Pac12 selection …2012: Played in all 23 games and started the final 17 games … Ranked second on the team in goals with 8.

 

Then why no Sarah Killian? Killian not only makes sense as a #6 who can pass but maybe also in Allie Longs role as a quasi CB who can start the attack.

 

Sky Blue --> #14 Sarah Killion

• Kick-off: July 27, 1992
• Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Position: Midfielder

BIO:
Former UCLA midfielder Sarah Killion was selected No. 2 overall by Sky Blue FC in the 2015 NWSL College Draft. The playmaking midfielder started 77 matches over 88 total appearances during her collegiate career at UCLA, having her best campaign this past fall as a senior, registering 30 points on nine goals and 12 assists while taking 45 shots. All marks were career highs, with the 12 assists matching her 2013 tally and equaling a school record. The 2014 NSCAA 3rd Team All-American was also selected to Top Drawer Soccer’s Best XI and named to her third consecutive All-Pac-12 Team in 2014. On the international level, Killion played for the U.S. U-18 Women’s National Team and started for a U-20 side that won the FIFA World Championship in 2012. The crafty midfielder then made the next step in her career by being selected to the U.S. U-23 National Team, which won the 2013 Four Nations Tournament. In 2014, Killion received her first call-up to the full U.S. Women’s National Team.

 

That was under Sermanni

 

Mixed feelings about Lavelle. She had a very poor college season up until the last couple of games. I think Andrews offers more and carried her team to a national championship. Lavelle is my type of player in that she is more creative than most, but I don't know if she can manage the physicality of the highest level. Andrews seems to be kind of dissed by US soccer. wonder what that is all about.

 

Andrews was called into the U23 camp for January. She still seems to be digging herself out of the doghouse with US Soccer. Extremely talented but previous speculation is she needs to work on her team skills

 

Rose was Midfielder of the year in the B10 again and Second team AA, leading UW in points.
She did not played poorly at all this season. When I watched the team play, which was only 4 times..but through-out the course of the season, what stood out to me was the inability to get the ball to Rose. She simply never got the ball and was asked to do too much and was marked every single game.

 

I told this on a thread here before.

About a year or so ago the Chicago Red Stars went up to University of Wisconsin to play the Badgers in an exhibition game. I went to watch it. IMO, Rose Lavelle was the best layer on the field that game. She was smooth as silk with her dribbling and pin-point passing. She wasn't at all intimidated by the pros and was very comfortable.
That was the first time I saw her play and was truly amazed.

 

two year ago she was every bit as good as Horan and Pugh in the u20 cycle as well. Hopefully she will transition nicely to this next level. Sullivan, Brian, Rose are all really technical, great midfielders.

 

NEWS: Ellis has added @SkyBlueFC's Sarah Killion (@skillion16) to the #USWNT roster for #JanuaryCamp.

Read 👀🗒: https://t.co/Wj7iyjj5se. pic.twitter.com/puDh9zsMEa

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) January 5, 2017

 

OK what should I ask for next?

 

Use your powers for good, and ask wisely!!

 

Maybe I'll move The Flash to North Carolina next or is that too much

 

That would be a great move ... although moving Sky Blue might be better overall for the league and their color is right (according to some).

 

I'm telling you KT, someone on high (within the USSF) is reading your posts.

It seems a message is being sent to all prospective college recruits: verbal to UCLA and your guaranteed a tryout with the full WNT.

 

Follow
U.S. Soccer WNTVerified account‏@ussoccer_wnt


NEWS: Jill Ellis has added kernal_thai to the #USWNT coaching staff as Special Advisor on Player Callups.
Ellis was allusive when asked whether thai would have access to her secret underground laboratory.

 

I don't think she'd like having me around...fun gig tho

 

Wrong school.