Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan included in the United States Olympic roster

The boss of the United States women’s national team, Vlatko Andonovski, had a tough decision to make ahead of the start of the Tokyo Olympics next month. The USWNT played five warm-up matches before the summer tournament and 23-players were fighting for 18 spots in those exhibition games.

Rapinoe, Lloyd and Morgan return to the Olympics

On Wednesday, Andonovski announced the 18-player roster that will be participating in the Tokyo Olympic games next month. Carli Lloyd will be the oldest women’s soccer Olympian in the history of the United States at the age of 39. Also Lloyd and Tobin Heath will be playing in their fourth Olympic tournament.

"It has been a long process to get to this point, longer than anyone thought it would be, but we collected a lot of information on the players over the past year and a half in trainings, in their club matches and in international games and we're confident that we've selected the team with the best chance for success in Japan," said Andonovski.

Andonovski included 11 players who participated in the 2016 Brazil Olympic games and 17 that won the 2019 World Cup. While Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerburn and Kelley O’Hara will be playing in their third Olympic tournament.

The 18-player USWNT roster

Goalkeepers: Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars).

Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper (Manchester City), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC), Kelley O'Hara (Washington Spirit), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit).

Midfielders: Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (Houston Dash), Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage).

Forwards: Tobin Heath (unattached), Carli Lloyd (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (unattached), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign).