Morgan, Rapinoe, Rodman, Ertz Lead USWNT FIFA World Cup Roster
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 04:01PM By Barry Janoff
June 21, 2023: Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Julie Ertz today were among those named to the 23 player roster that will represent the two-time defending U.S. Women’s National Team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand (July 20-Aug. 20).
The roster, named by USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski, includes six forwards, seven midfielders, seven defenders and three goalkeepers.
Of the 23 players, Morgan has the most experience in the Women’s World Cup, having played 18 matches while scoring nine goals, six of which came at the 2019 Tournament.
Rapinoe has played in 17 World Cup matches and has also scored nine goals.
“The task of selecting a World Cup Team is never easy, but I’m proud of the players for their work ethic and focus during the process and of our coaching staff for doing the work to put together the best team possible,” Andonovski said via the U.S. Soccer Federation.
“It’s the players that make the biggest impact on our environment, they push each other to be better and I know as a group they are extremely motivated to make our country proud at the World Cup.”
According to Andonovski, “Every player has a different journey to get to this point so our roster has some amazing stories and we have a really good mix of veterans and younger players.”
Morgan, Rapinoe and defender Kelley O’Hara were named to their fourth Women’s World Cup roster, becoming the 10th, 11th and 12th U.S. Women’s National Team players to be selected for four or more tournaments.
Two players were named to their third consecutive World Cup roster: Alyssa Naeher and Ertz.
Andonovski named four players to their second World Cup roster: Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle.
There are 14 players for whom this will be their first Women’s World Cup.
There are three mothers on the team: Morgan, Ertz and Dunn.
The average age of the U.S. roster is 28.5 years old.
Alyssa Thompson is the youngest player on the roster at 18.
Always PossibleTrinity Rodman, daughter of former NBA champion Dennis Rodman, just turned 21 and is second-youngest player on this roster.
Rapinoe is the oldest player on the roster at 37. She will turn 38 on July 5.
USSF recently launched multi-media marketing supporting the team, “Always Possible / Todo es Posible.”
The anchor spot, narrated by NWSL Angel City FC co-owner and actress Natalie Portman, was created around three key themes: championing the voices of fans and athletes, connecting people and communities, and inspiring participation and belonging.
Fox, the exclusive English-language 2023 Women’s World Cup broadcast network in the U.S., has launched its own campaign supporting the team, “USA vs. The World.”
“We are expecting the level of play at this World Cup to be the best it’s ever been, and all the teams must keep up with that growth,” said Andonovski via USSF.
“For years, we’ve been able to see first-hand where the game is going and that’s exciting. We are proud to have been one of the teams leading the way for women’s international soccer and I know the tournament will once again show the world how great these players are across all 32 teams.”
Andonovski said that players on the USWNT roster “understand the challenges and the competitive environment we are heading into, and they love it. We have a roster with depth and versatility and that will help us take on all the challenges that will be coming our way.”
The Women’s World Cup roster will make up the squad for the USA’s final match before departing for New Zealand.
The USA’s Women’s World Cup Send-Off Match presented by Visa is scheduled for July 9 in PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. (TNT, Telemundo, Universo and Peacock), after which the team will depart for the Women’s World Cup.
“Every player has a different journey to get to this point so our roster has some amazing stories and a really good mix of veterans and younger players.”
Team USA will play the entirety of the Group Stage in New Zealand.
The U.S. will open Group E play against Vietnam on July 22 at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau (Fox, Telemundo and Peacock), which will also serve as the host venue for the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 World Cup on July 20.
The USA then faces Netherlands on July 27 at Wellington Regional Stadium (Fox, Telemundo and Peacock), followed by Portugal on Aug. 1 at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau (Fox, Telemundo and Peacock).
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the ninth time FIFA has staged the event and the first to include 32 nations.
Twenty-four teams participated in the last two World Cups. Sixteen teams participated in the four World Cups held from 1999-2011. The 1991 and 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments featured 12 teams.
In addition to the 2015 and 2019 titles, the U.S. won the 1991 Cup and the 1999 Cup when it was the host nation.
FIFA this month unveiled a Member Association distribution model “with a financial contribution specifically earmarked for all players at the Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand.”
According to FIFA, “Under this ground-breaking new model, participating Member Associations will receive record distributions to support football development in their countries, while all participating players will receive guaranteed remuneration for their achievements at the tournament.”
USA v WorldThe total purse is $110 million, with $4.290 million for the champion club vs. the $30 million total purse for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, where the U.S. champions took in $4 million total.
Total purse money at the FIFA 2015 Women’s World Cup was $15 million.
By comparison, total prize money awarded at the 32-team FIFA 2022 Men's World Cup in Qatar was $440 million.
FIFA said its total investment in the Women’s World Cup 2023 is budgeted to exceed $500 million.
“Under this unprecedented new distribution model, each individual player at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 can now fully rely on remuneration for their efforts as they progress through the Tournament,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said via the organization.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals) 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Aubrey Kingsbury* (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy* (North Carolina Courage; 14), Alyssa Naeher*** (Chicago Red Stars; 90)
DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook* (OL Reign; 24/1), Crystal Dunn** (Portland Thorns FC; 131/24), Emily Fox* (North Carolina Courage; 28/1), Naomi Girma* (San Diego Wave FC; 15/0), Sofia Huerta* (OL Reign; 29/0), Kelley O’Hara**** (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 157/3), Emily Sonnett** (OL Reign; 74/1)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Savannah DeMelo* (Racing Louisville FC; 0/0), Julie Ertz*** (Angel City FC; 118/20), Lindsey Horan** (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 128/27), Rose Lavelle** (OL Reign; 88/24), Kristie Mewis* (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 51/7), Ashley Sanchez* (Washington Spirit; 24/3), Andi Sullivan* (Washington Spirit; 44/3)
FORWARDS (6): Alex Morgan**** (San Diego Wave FC; 206/121), Megan Rapinoe**** (OL Reign; 199/63), Trinity Rodman* (Washington Spirit; 17/2), Sophia Smith* (Portland Thorns FC; 29/12), Alyssa Thompson* (Angel City FC; 3/0), Lynn Williams* (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 52/15)
*First Women’s World Cup
**Second Women’s World Cup
***Third Women’s World Cup
****Fourth Women’s World Cup
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