Teenager makes roster for U.S. women’s team
CHICAGO – The U.S. women’s soccer team has called up 17-year-old forward Ashley Sanchez for the first time before two exhibitions against Colombia.
Coach Jill Ellis announced 23 players Tuesday who will be invited to training camp. Twenty-one were on the roster for this month’s SheBelieves Cup, when the No. 1-ranked Americans defeated three of the world’s top teams.
Ellis also added Sanchez and Portland Thorns midfielder Allie Long. Long spent some time with the team in 2014, earning four caps.
Sanchez recently captained the U.S. to a berth in the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, scoring five goals in five games during the CONCACAF qualifying tournament. She turned 17 last week and is the first player born in 1999 – the year the U.S. won the Women’s World Cup at home – to be called up to the full national team. In December, she helped the Americans qualify for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scoring three goals with five assists.
Fifteen players on the roster were on last year’s World Cup-winning team, including Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger, Becky Sauerbrunn and Morgan Brian.
The U.S. will train in Orlando, Fla., for six days before heading to its match against 25th-ranked Colombia April 6 in East Hartford, Conn. The teams meet again April 10 in Chester, Pa. Ellis will pick 18 players to suit up for each game.
The U.S. beat Colombia 2-0 in the round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup.
Here is the complete roster:
• Goalkeepers: Ashlyn Harris (Orlando), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago), Hope Solo (Seattle)
• Defenders: Whitney Engen (Boston), Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York), Julie Johnston (Chicago), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland), Ali Krieger (Washington), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue), Becky Sauerbrunn (Kansas City), Emily Sonnett (Portland)
• Midfielders: Morgan Brian (Houston), Tobin Heath (Portland), Lindsey Horan (Portland), Carli Lloyd (Houston), Allie Long (Portland), Samantha Mewis (Western New York), Heather O’Reilly (Kansas City)
•Forwards: Crystal Dunn (Washington), Alex Morgan (Orlando), Christen Press (Chicago), Mallory Pugh (Colorado), Ashley Sanchez (So Cal)
MIAMI (AP) – U.S. men’s coach Jurgen Klinsmann is not saying which goalie he will use Friday when the Americans play at Guatemala in a World Cup qualifying game. His choices are Tim Howard and Brad Guzan, both of the English Premier League.
Howard recently lost his starting job at Everton and hasn’t played a league match since Jan. 24. Guzan has been playing for Aston Villa.
Klinsmann spoke Tuesday from training camp at Barry University. When asked about his decision and Howard’s two-months of inactivity, the coach said “everything is a factor.”
Howard was the U.S. goalkeeper at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. On Sunday, he signed a contract to return to Major League Soccer in July, playing for the Colorado Rapids.
Klinsmann also said he felt good about the chances of midfielder Fabian Johnson and forward Jozy Altidore being ready to play. Both are recovering from injuries.