Well folks, we are less than one month away from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup of Soccer and the roster for the United States team has finally been revealed. Included in the 23-woman roster are three recognizable names, Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz, and Megan Rapinoe. Morgan and Rapinoe will be appearing in their 4th World Cup for Team USA, while Ertz will be competing in her third World Cup. It comes as no surprise that these players made the cut as they have played central roles in each of the last two World Cup Triumphs in 2015 and 2019, and will likely play a critical role in helping the U.S. repeat at this year’s world cup, or at the very least, provide veteran leadership to the 14 newcomers on the roster. Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski appeared on Sportscenter yesterday to discuss his decision making when it came time to form the roster. He explained that he needed to include veterans on the roster with world cup experience while emphasizing the importance of having next-gen players get the chance to compete at the highest level. Andonovski said there were a lot of tough decisions to make, but he’s confident in the team’s ability to win a third straight World Cup title.
There’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to the newly released roster, but we start with fan favorite, and my personal favorite, Alex Morgan. Alex Morgan made her World Cup debut in 2011, shortly before her 22nd birthday. The U.S. lost to Japan in the Final. Alex Morgan helped lead the U.S. to a 5-2 victory over Japan to claim the 2015 World Cup title, avenging their loss from four years prior. It was the United States’ third World Cup title and the first since 1999. They were led by Hall of Fame Head Coach Jill Ellis. In Alex Morgan’s third World Cup appearance in 2019, the Jill Ellis-led soccer team won the United States’ fourth World Cup title and repeated for the first time in the nation’s history. Alex Morgan has appeared in 206 games with the United States and has scored 121 international goals. She is regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players in U.S. history.
We move on to another favorite player of mine, Julie Ertz. Ertz is gearing up to play in her third World Cup as a member of the United States Women’s Soccer Team. She helped the U.S. win World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. She has played in 118 games donning the red, white, and blue and has scored 20 international goals. Ertz is a native of Mesa, Arizona.
Another mainstay on the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team is Megan Rapinoe. Rapinoe, Like Morgan, will be making her 4th World Cup appearance. Rapinoe was also on the team that finished runner-up at the 2011 World Cup as well as being a part of the championship teams in 2015 and 2019. Rapinoe will now look to be a centerpiece of a potential three-peat, something no country has ever done in the FIFA Women’s World Cup history. Rapinoe has played in 199 games for the U.S. Soccer team with 63 international goals scored. At 37, this will likely be Rapinoe’s final World Cup.
Other notable returnees on the U.S. roster include Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle, both of which were on the 2019 World Cup winning team. Kelley O’Hara will be making her 4th appearance at a World Cup, having previously played in the 2011, 2015, and 2019 World Cups. As mentioned earlier, there are 14 newcomers to the U.S. World Cup roster. This includes the much anticipated debut of Trinity Rodman, daughter of former basketball player Dennis Rodman.
The United States’ journey to their third straight Women’s World Cup title begins July 20. If successful, the U.S. will become the first country in Women’s World Cup history to win three straight World Cup titles.
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