Defender Ali Krieger and midfielders Allie Long and Morgan Brian earned spots on the U. S. team that will defend its title at the Women…
Defender Ali Krieger and midfielders Allie Long and Morgan Brian earned spots on the U. S. team that will defend its title at the Women’s World Cup.
All three were widely considered to be on the bubble for the 23-player roster announced Thursday by coach Jill Ellis.
Krieger started against Belgium on April 7, her first appearance since an exhibition against Russia on April 6,2017. It will be the third World Cup for the 34-year-old right back, who has 99 international appearances.
The youngest player on the squad for the 2015 World Cup in Canada, Brian has struggled with injuries in recent years and has played just once this year, in a January exhibition against France. But the 26-year-old has experience, with 78 international appearances.
Long, 31, has been in and out of the national team after making playing in the 2016 Olympics.
Ellis said players „challenged the coaches to make some tough decisions.“
„These 23 players have been through adversity and success, and it’s a group that has the talent, confidence, experience and desire to help us win the World Cup,“ the coach said in a statement.
The tournament in France starts June 7, and the U.
