A player-by-player guide to the USWNT World Cup roster

The USWNT are loaded with talent as they try to repeat as World Cup champions this summer. Meet the 23 players that make up Jill Ellis’ roster.

The USWNT enters the World Cup among the favorites to win it all. After taking the trophy four years ago, the U.S., led by coach Jill Ellis, will be looking to make history and win a fourth World Cup title.

“These 23 players have been through adversity and success, and it’s a group that has the talent, confidence, experience and desire to help us win the World Cup,” Ellis said after announcing the 23-player roster on May 1.

The three-time World Cup champions, the seeded team in Group F, will face Thailand, Chile and Sweden in the opening round. The U.S. will open group play against Thailand on June 11 at Auguste Delaune Stadium in Reims. The Americans will then face Chile on June 16 at the Parc des Princes in Paris and Sweden four days later at Stade Oceane in Le Havre.

The roster is a mix of veteran and youth. In reality, Ellis could field two competitive squads given how deep her roster is heading into the World Cup. Of the 23 players to make the trip to France, captain Carli Lloyd has the most experience at World Cup level with 18 appearances and seven goals over four tournaments.

“Even though this is my fourth World Cup roster, it’s just as special as the first one I was named to,” Lloyd told US Soccer’s official website. “It’s a different chapter of my career, this most likely being my last World Cup, but it’s an honor to be among this talented group we have going to France. Even though we won in 2015, there’s still so much hunger on this team to go after that trophy and I’m looking forward to this experience with my teammates as it will be one of biggest and most exiting challenges of ours careers.”

Lloyd is also the oldest player on the roster at age 36. Five other players are also in double figures when it comes to World Cup games: Ali Krieger (13 matches), Alex Morgan (12), Megan Rapinoe (12) and Tobin Heath (10). Here’s a player-by-player look (in alphabetical order) at the USWNT players who will compete in France.

6 – Morgan Brian (midfielder)

The youngest member of the U.S. team that won the 2015 World Cup in Canada, the 26-year-old Brian, who plays club soccer for the Chicago Red Stars, has struggled with injuries in recent years. She hopes to end that inconsistency by grabbing a spot as a starter on this year’s squad.

7 – Abby Dahlkemper (defender)

The 26-year-old center-back for the North Carolina Courage made her senior national team debut in 2017. She would start 10 of the last 11 matches that year and recorded 945 minutes, which was fifth highest on the team.

12 – Tierna Davidson (defender)

Just 20 years old (and the youngest player on the team), Davidson’s hard work the past few years paid off in the form of a roster spot. Unlikely to start, Davidson, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars, provides the team useful depth, especially if this team hope to go far in the tournament.

19 – Crystal Dunn (defender)

Appearing in her first World Cup, Dunn is in the prime of her career at age 26. She gives the U.S. power and stability in the back. After making Ellis’ preliminary World Cup roster four years ago but cut in the end, Dunn, who plays for the North Carolina Courage, will be looking to make an immediate impact in France.

8 – Julie Ertz (midfielder)

The second-youngest member of the team behind Brian on the 2015 roster, Ertz has matured tremendously as a player the past four years. Ertz shifted two years ago from center-back to defensive midfield. The move paid off: She was named U.S. Soccer’s Female Player of the Year in 2017.

The 27-year-old Ertz, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars, is known for always being in top physical shape. It will be her top form and ability to control the midfield that makes her one of the best players entering this tournament. She will be called upon to be the bridge between the defense and midfield.

21 – Adrianna Franch (goalkeeper)

The veteran Portland Thorns goalkeeper is relatively new to the national team, having made her debut earlier this year. Franch has primarily been used as a backup to starter Alyssa Naeher and enters the tournament as the third-choice keeper. Nonetheless, Franch, who is 28, is a solid No. 3 should Naeher suffer an injury or need to miss a game for any reason.

18 – Ashlyn Harris (goalkeeper)

The team’s other goalie, Harris, of the Orlando Pride, has earned 21 caps in the decade she’s played for the U.S. The 33-year-old has plenty of experience and also could he used should something happen to Naeher. It allows Ellis plenty of options during a tournament where anything can happen.

17 – Tobin Heath (striker)

Nicknamed “Tobs” by her teammates, the 30-year-old Heath was on the team that won it all in 2015 and is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist. A stalwart on this squad since 2008, Heath has loads of experience and will be looked upon to offer leadership and guidance in the dressing room and on the field. Heath has played for the Portland Thorns since 2013.

9 – Lindsey Horan (midfielder)

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder can score goals and set up her teammates. She could be either a starter or an attacking option off the bench. She also currently plays for the Portland Thorns.

11 – Ali Krieger (defender)

Used as either a center-back or right-back, Krieger possesses great ball control when under pressure. Her ability to strip strikers of the ball and move it up field is a major reason this U.S. team have a formidable attack. The 34-year-old Orlando Pride standout made her senior U.S. debut in 2008 and will also be looked on to provide veteran experience to her teammates.

16 – Rose Lavelle (midfielder)

A player who came into the U.S. fold soon after they won the World Cup, Lavelle, 24, is very useful in attack and has proven she can score goals in big games. Lavelle plays for the Washington Spirit.

10 – Carli Lloyd (midfielder)

Considered one of the best players in the world and among the best in U.S. history, Lloyd, 36, captained the team to the 2015 World Cup title. A member of the team since 2005, Lloyd is also a two-time gold medalist. Known for both her physicality on the ball as well as her finesse, Lloyd has a strong work ethic and brings a never-say-die attitude to the lineup.

Lloyd, known for her accurate passing and shooting, has plenty of big match experience. She may not be a starter this time around, but very few teams have the luxury of being able to bring a player of her caliber off the bench. She won the FIFA’s World Player of the Year award in 2015. Lloyd currently plays for Sky Blue FC.

20 – Allie Long (midfielder)

Also looking to play her first game at a World Cup, Long is a versatile player. Ellis experimented with her as a defender as part of a back three, but her more natural position is in the midfield. The 29-year-old Long will have to fight in order to get a starting role given how deep this team is at that position. This is her first World Cup. Long plays for the Seattle Reign.

14 – Jessica McDonald (striker)

The 31-year-old striker has played sparingly for the U.S. McDonald only has seven caps to her name since making her national team debut in 2016. Like Long, this will be her first World Cup. She plays for the North Carolina Courage.

3- Samantha Mewis (midfielder)

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder is a great backup option for Ellis should injuries or suspensions plague any starters. She missed a chunk of last year with a knee injury, but has spent the last six months upping her game in order to make the final World Cup roster. Mewis has had a very good training camp leading up to the tournament and could grab a starting spot by the time the World Cup kicks off. She also plays for the Courage.

13 – Alex Morgan (striker)

Along with Lloyd, Morgan is one of the most recognizable players on this team. A member of the U.S. squad since 2010, Morgan will be playing in her third consecutive World Cup. She came into the ‘15 World Cup injured and will be looking to have an even better tournament this time given she’s healthy.

Winner of U.S. Soccer’s Female Player of the Year award in 2018, the 29-year-old Morgan is an offensive dynamo. She has scored 101 goals in 160 games for the national team. Expect more goals from her at this World Cup. She is currently with the Orlando Pride.

1- Alyssa Naeher (goalkeeper)

The team’s starting goalkeeper, Naeher replaced the legendary Hope Solo in 2016. The 31-year-old has taken well to the role and will be expected to come up big at the tournament if the U.S. want to go deep. Good with her feet, Naeher will be looked upon to distribute the ball out of the back and get things going. She has emerged as a leader on the field and her saves have been clutch. She plays for the Chicago Red Stars.

5- Kelley O’Hara (striker)

The 30-year-old winger is just another weapon in Ellis’ extensive offensive arsenal. Reliable as a player with a great shot to boot, O’Hara is tied for third as the U.S. Under-20’s on the list of all-time leading scorers and sixth in caps. At senior level, she played in both the 2011 and 2015 World Cups and is one of only three players who played every minute at the 2012 Olympics. She plays for the Utah Royals.

23 – Christen Press (striker)

The lanky striker, who is also 30, has been a key member of this U.S. team since 2013. She was on the side that won it all four years ago and is looking to add a second championship medal to her collection. Press can both score goals and provide assists in the final third. It remains to be seen whether she can win a starting role or be a super-sub. She plays for the Utah Royals.

2- Mallory Pugh (striker)

The 21-year-old forward is a budding star and represents the team’s next generation of stars. She made her U.S. senior debut three years ago at age 18. Pugh played at the 2016 Rio Olympics and has played an increasingly large role with each passing year. Look for Ellis to throw Pugh, who plays for the Washington Spirit, into tough situations since she’s proven herself very capable of scoring goals when called upon.

15 – Megan Rapinoe (midfielder)

The 33-year-old attacking midfielder has been a member of the U.S. squad since 2006. An accurate passer and a major presence on the field and in the dressing room, Rapinoe, a veteran of the last two World Cups, is a team leader. She isn’t afraid to do and say things that she thinks can help her team.

Case in point: Rapinoe got into hot water with U.S. Soccer regarding her refusal in 2016 to stand during the playing of the national anthem. In a sign of solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Rapinoe took a knee, until the federation enforced a rule demanding that she stand. Rapinoe has also been outspoken in regards to players getting equal pay. She currently plays for the Seattle Reign.

4- Becky Sauerbrunn (defender)

Another veteran, the 33-year-old center back is one of the best in the world at her position. She has also played at the last two World Cups and was instrumental in the team’s 2015 victory. Expect her to again add both leadership and composure to the backline. She is currently a member of the Utah Royals.

22 – Emily Sonnett (defender)

The defensive midfielder also came into the team following the 2015 World Cup victory and has been used to link the defense to the midfield. She has received more playing time in the last two years (playing at right-back), a sign that she could very well start in what would be her first major tournament. She also plays for the Portland Thorns.