US Women Will Look to the Future in Minneapolis

US Women Will Look to the Future in Minneapolis

Wes Burdine

October 6, 2016

News

US Women’s head coach Jill Ellis announced her 24-player roster today that will travel to Utah before playing at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on October 23. Notably absent from the squad are Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, and Alex Morgan.

After a disappointing Olympic performance, Ellis appears to be casting her eyes toward the new blood, bringing in a total of 11 uncapped players such as Kealia Ohai, Shea Groom, and Lynn Williams.

The exclusion of players such as Rapinoe and Morgan will disappoint some fans who last witnessed a USWNT match in the Twin Cities a decade ago. Rapinoe, in particular, has come under-fire for her decision to draw attention to racial injustices in the United States by kneeling during the national anthem. Just today, the winger published a manifesto on her protest in which she wrote:

When we as a nation put our minds to something, when we truly choose to care about something, change always happens. I am choosing to do something. I am choosing to care.
-Megan Rapinoe

Whether Rapinoe was excluded for political or sporting reasons, fans will be able to look at some of the exciting talents of the younger generation of players. Williams was the 2016 NWSL Golden Boot winner with 11 goals. Ohai is also coming off a breakout season.

The match will be played at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis at 12:45 p.m. on October 23.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Stanford), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (Western New York Flash), Arin Gilliland (Chicago Red Stars), Merritt Mathias (Seattle Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Andi Sullivan (Stanford)

FORWARDS (6): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Shea Groom (FC Kansas City), Ashley Hatch (BYU), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Lynn Williams (Western New York Flash)

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6 responses to “US Women Will Look to the Future in Minneapolis”
1. Jamie C
  
  October 6, 2016
  
  I’m a little disappointed that some of the vets haven’t been called in, but we need to start bring in new players for the next cycle. As far as Rapinoe I’m not sure why she wasn’t called in. Personally I don’t think she should have been recalled after she returned from injury.
  
  Reply
2. Neville Eclov
  
  October 6, 2016
  
  Okay this is going to be a bit biased because I love the Red Stars, but I’m looking forward to Gilliland and Short flying down the flanks for NT and Colaprico playing next to college teammate Morgan Brian. Naeher should start in goal too, and it was kind of maddening that the all the stans got their way in the popularity-based voting to give Ashlynn Harris Goalkeeper of the Year in NWSL. Whatever happens, hope it gives Minnesota a taste of what they could have with a NWSL franchise (possibly even some of the college players on the roster, who an MN team could grab in a future draft).
  
  Wish I was in MN to see it live, but will have to settle for whatever broadcast is available (where will the game appear on TV?).
  
  Reply
  1. Wes
    
    October 7, 2016
    
    I don’t know the TV details actually. Not sure if they’ve been announced. I agree on the NWSL thing. I’ve been asking McGuire about that since day 1. Understandably I think it’s a low priority as they need to sort out so many things, but I think it’s a no brainer. The additional overhead is minimal (you’ve already got most of the FO that would overlap) and you’ve got the stadium.
    
    Reply
    
    Neville Eclov
    
    October 7, 2016
    
    Agreed they have a lot to think about with year 1 of MLS so quickly approaching. However, Orlando showed you can be successful doing it the year after joining MLS, so I hope Nick Rogers and McGuire and the rest of the ownership consider it after next summer. They strike me as more deliberate people than Orlando’s FO though, and the conditions in MN aren’t completely the same, so I’m not optimistic of that quick of a timeline.
    
    Reply
    
    Wes
    
    October 7, 2016
    
    If 1st full year w/ new stadium is 2019 I’d say that’s the target when it would make sense.
    
    Reply
3. Alex
  
  October 7, 2016
  
  I’m bummed that the stars won’t be there, but it’s not like it would have kept me from buying tickets.
  
  Reply
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US Women Will Look to the Future in Minneapolis

US Women’s head coach Jill Ellis announced her 24-player roster today that will travel to Utah before playing at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on October 23. Notably absent from the squad are Megan Rapinoe, Ali Krieger, and Alex Morgan.

6 responses to “US Women Will Look to the Future in Minneapolis”

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