By Debby von Winckelmann
U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis announced her 23-player roster for the 2015 Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, despite having five more weeks before the May 25th deadline.
Ellis’ selection wasn’t surprising, and speaking to the media via conference call, Ellis said that naming the roster early would allow the team to continue to build on their chemistry.
“It’s been a thorough process of evaluation and we had a lot of good opportunities to see the players in highly competitive situations,” Ellis said. “I feel that this group of players can accomplish our goals. We have positional depth, versatility, and players that will give us balance on every line.”
The two players cut from the most recent 25-player roster were Crystal Dunn and Rachel Van Hollebeke, both defenders.
“I think both players I let go, both did tremendously and it was a tough decision for me,” Ellis said. She added that both took the news well, and “they were a class act.”
Probably the only two selections which were somewhat questionable were Christie Rampone and Shannon Boxx. Rampone, who will be playing in her fifth World Cup, has been battling with injuries and was unable to play in the Algarve Cup. Ellis said Rampone had recovered from her back injury, only to suffer a freak knee injury, which showed just a 7-10 day recovery. Ellis said she was comfortable and confident that Rampone would be healthy.
Boxx hasn’t seen a lot of playing time lately, but Ellis said she thought Boxx was “a reliable option” and listed some of her qualities as a player who could be used to fill-in to give others rest, her ability to help close out games, her defensive abilities in the air, and her depth and experience.
“She’s been remarkable, from where we were in last October when she came for qualifying to now,” Ellis said. “Physically she’s been tremendous and she’s turned it around. She played 90 minutes against New Zealand in our closed-door game and did very, very well. I think the experience, the coverage in the center of the midfield, and knowing what kind of role I would use her in, I think for me it just made sense.”
The 23 players will report to camp in Los Angeles on May 2, according to Ellis, before starting their 3-game send-off series, starting on May 10 against the Republic of Ireland at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. On May 17 they will play Mexico at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif, and will face Korea Republic on May 30 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
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)
