Washington, June 14 (BNA) Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan have been included in the US squad for next month’s CONCACAF W Championship, which will select four of the region’s teams for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Rapinoe and Morgan have not been on the US roster since last October, with coach Flatko Andonovsky evaluating the younger players in the run-up to the playoffs. The United States is a two-time World Cup champion, the Associated Press reports.
“So excited to be back with my girls!” Alex Morgan tweeted following Monday’s announcement.
Twenty-three players were shortlisted for the playoffs, and three more – Sam Covey, Carson Beckett and Jalen Howell – were added to the training camp ahead of two friendlies later this month against Colombia.
Several players have been left out of the squad due to injuries, including Sam Moyes (knee), Abby Dalkemper (ribs) and Lynne Williams (hip). Catarina Macario recently tore her ACL while playing for her club team, Lyon, and has been out for at least six months.
Crystal Dunn recently gave birth.
Tobin Heath was also left out of the list, as was Kristen Price, who was injured on Saturday while playing for Angle City. Press said she ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.
On a conference call with reporters, Andonovsky said the 33-year-old was not on the list even before the injury due to competition for the center — including Morgan, Trinity Rodman, Ashley Hatch, Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh.
“It’s not easy being a striker in the States now,” Andonovsky said.
The W Championships is set to take place in July in Monterrey, Mexico, and will determine the four teams in the region for the 2023 World Cup, which will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The winner of the tournament will also get a place in the 2024 Olympics.
But first, the United States will play games against Colombia on June 25 in Colorado and June 28 in Sandy, Utah.
The list of 23 players by position with club affiliation:
Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Neher (Chicago Red Stars).
Defenders: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns), Emily Sonnett ( Washington Spirit).
Midfielders: Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Taylor Cornick (San Diego Wave), Rose Lavelle (Ol Reign), Kristi Mewes (Gotham), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andy Sullivan (Washington Spirit).
Strikers: Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Midge Pierce (Gotham), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns).
Additional players in the camp ahead of the two matches against Colombia:
Defenders: Carson Beckett (North Carolina Braves).
Midfielders: Sam Covey (Portland Thorns), Jaylene Howell (Racing Louisville).