Who are the 26 players on the USWNT roster for April friendly matches against Ireland?
Coach Vlatko Andonovski included the currently clubless midfielder in his squad to face Ireland next month.
USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski has announced his 26-player roster for the upcoming international friendlies against Ireland. Two fixtures, against an Irish side who qualified for the World Cup for the first time, will take place on Saturday 8 and Tuesday 11 April.
OL Reign midfielder and USWNT star Megan Rapinoe missed out on a place in the squad due to injury, but there was a shock inclusion for Julie Ertz after 20 months without a competitive appearance.
Ertz gave birth to a son, Madden, last August and is currently without a club. Andonovski is expected to name the World Cup squad in the coming months and has handed energetic midfielder Ertz a chance to prove herself ahead of the selection.
In a statement released by US Soccer, Ertz wrote: “I have to work out details in regards to my club situation, but I am very thankful to [my husband] Zach, my family, and U.S. Soccer for the amazing support they have provided to get me back to this point.
“I’ve been training hard, excited to see where I’m at physically and getting better each day. I am going into this camp the same way I always have, to compete with the best women in the world.”
Here’s how the full USWNT squad looks for the upcoming fixtures...
Goalkeepers
Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars).
Defenders
Alana Cook (OL Reign), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars), Kelley O’Hara (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign).
Midfielders
Julie Ertz (Unattached), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit).
Forwards
Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC).