Vlatko Andonovski has named a 26-player roster for the U.S. women’s national team’s two upcoming friendlies against Ireland, and there was one name on the list that stood out above all others: Julie Ertz.
Last month, Andonovski admitted that the USWNT would “probably not” be able to count on Ertz for the upcoming World Cup amid an extended absence from the game.
Ertz has not played for the USWNT since the Olympics in 2021 and has not played club soccer since 2021 either, having given birth to her son in August 2022.
But with just over three months left until the World Cup kicks off, Ertz — currently without a club but expected to land with a NWSL team soon — has been brought back into the fold.
In addition to Ertz, fullback Casey Krueger has also been handed a recall for the first time since October 2021. The Chicago Red Stars defender gave birth to her first child in July 2022.
Megan Rapinoe, however, will miss out with what U.S. Soccer is calling a “lower leg injury.”
“It’s exciting to get the group back together and we’re getting closer to how we want to look this summer,” said Andonovski. “The team is gelling and getting these players back in camp, all who know the environment very well, is just going to make it more competitive and turn the intensity up a notch.
“I know there is a lot of pressure on the players as the competition for World Cup spots increases, but that’s not something we shy away from. We talk about it, and we embrace it, as we all know these players make each other better.”
The USWNT will face Ireland on April 8 at Q2 Stadium in Austin (2:30 p.m. ET on TNT, Universo and Peacock) before playing again on April 11 at brand-new Citypark in St. Louis (7:30 p.m. ET on HBO Max, Universo and Peacock).
The two games will be the last matches the USWNT plays before Andonovski names his World Cup roster.
USWNT roster (club; caps/goals)
Goalkeepers (3): Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current; 10), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 13), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 89)
Defenders (10): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 23/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 48/1), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 27/0), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC; 130/24), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 14/0), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign; 28/0), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars; 37/0), Kelley O’Hara (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 156/3), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC; 214/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 73/1)
Midfielders (7): Julie Ertz (Unattached; 116/20), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 126/26), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC; 12/2), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 87/24), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 50/7), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit; 22/3), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit; 42/3)
Forwards (6): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 17/5), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC; 204/121), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 15/2), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 27/12), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars; 87/32), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 52/15)
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