Okay so, I promised I'd talk about my predictions for/my “ideal" USWNT Women's World Cup roster and I'm a woman of my word so let's talk.
First things first let's be clear, this is all roster based on my views of player performance, team dynamic, and observations of players who have been called up throughout the last tournaments/games. Meaning that even when operating under the assumption of this being "my ideal" roster, I am also inclined to show favor to a roster that I believe is probable. If y'all want to talk "fantasy rosters" based on nothing but "hey I like this player and I think they'd perform well even if they have no history with the team or system", that's a different topic all together.
So, at the current time, my ideal/predicted USWNT WWC23 roster looks a bit like this:
(3) Goalkeepers: Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy, Aubrey Bledsoe
(8) Defenders: Becky Sauerbrunn, Naomi Girma, Alana Cook, Emily Fox, Emily Sonnett, Kelley O'Hara, Sofia Huerta, Tierna Davidson*
(8) Midfielders: Lindsey Horan, Kristie Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Ashley Sanchez, Tobin Heath Ashley Hatch, Andi Sullivan, Catarina Macario, Sam Mewis/Taylor Kornieck* (DUNN????)
(7) Forwards: Alex Morgan, Ashley Hatch, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Megan Rapinoe, Midge Purce, Christen Press*
And I know y'all are going to want to know my reasonings, so I went ahead and gave them to you! There is of course some more nuance that went into my decisions than everything I listed but, heres the rundown:
(3) Goalkeepers: Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy, Aubrey Bledsoe
Naeher as number one is something I feel is still necessary for this tournament. If between now and the WWC, Murphy is played in a game against a "big" team and performs well? I may be inclined to reevaluate that, but I doubt it. She's not my favorite, but Vlatko favors her. I put Bledsoe as my third because she is an incredible keeper (Spirit fans know whats up) and Vlatko has been rather consistent with her. I know we've chatted about Bella Bixby and I would have personally loved to see more development of her to fill this role, but I don't see her making her way into this lineup in the next year.
(8) Defenders: Becky Sauerbrunn, Naomi Girma, Alana Cook, Emily Fox, Emily Sonnett, Kelley O'Hara, Sofia Huerta, Tierna Davidson*
CB: If Alyssa Naeher is not in goal, Becky Sauerbrunn needs to be on the backline. With Cook and Girma, I personally see their inclusion crucial for the development of the team whether they play together or with some mix of Becky/Sonnett depending on style/goalkeeper/opponent. Now, people love to disagree with me but this is where I think having Sonnett becomes a crucial part of the roster. As mentioned before, she is a centerback (and a strong one at that) who can play in any sort of combination with both the younger centerbacks and Becky. But, she is also trained as a leftback. That meaning, we have one player who can play two positions in two very different ways. Having Sonnett, a veteran player who can play either position at a moments notice, creates stability. From that stability, we've seen the rise of Emily Fox. For this tournament, I would start Fox out slowly getting her used to the big stage by halfing games one way or another with Emily Sonnett. I'd do something similar with Kelley O'Hara and Sofia Huerta but less for Huerta's benefit and more so for O'Haras. Having O'Hara is crucial for when we need an aggressive defender, and against some of these teams? I have no doubt we'll need just that. However, Huerta is fast, and she's got a leg on her that I don't think any right back in the league right now can counter. If we need our midfield supported (we will) and goals scored? I'd play Huerta all day long. I also included Tierna Davidson on this list as one of my players for if we do get 26 spots. Tierna can drop a ball on a dime, deny aggressive forwards, and read the game unlike anyone else. If she is at full health? I wouldn't hesitate to play her over Captain Becky herself.
And I KNOW someone is going to ask me about Crystal, and I love Dunn. I just don't think she's necessary for our backline right now unless she gets to camp and proves that she deserves that spot. As for Dahlkemper, she has been having a killer club season, but I just don't trust her the same for big tournaments after this last Olympics. I'd need to see her play for the NT again before I even consider it.
(8) Midfielders: Lindsey Horan, Kristie Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Ashley Sanchez, Tobin Heath, Ashley Hatch, Andi Sullivan, Catarina Macario, Sam Mewis/Taylor Kornieck* (DUNN???)
For obvious reasons, this was the hardest part of my roster. So let me get Tobin Heath out of the way. I don’t expect Tobin to make this list (and clearly neither did the Universe wow okay injury), let’s be clear. However I include her because I want her and if Tobin Heath is healthy and willing to play and a coach chooses not to play her, that coach should be fired. You would have to be the world's biggest idiot to not utilize the world class player that is Tobin Heath. However, we also know that US Soccer is in fact the worlds biggest idiot so! Moving on! Horan. I get it. A lot of us have beef with Lindsey right now because of Vlatko trying to force her to be Julie Ertz and she's just not but y'all saw what she does for this team. The girl is a brick wall who is as stubborn as a donkey and will attack until she is dead on the ground. I just think that kind of mentality (and ability) is important. And we all know how Horan and Heath do together. Rose Lavelle, I don't think I need to explain myself. Kristie Mewis has been saving the USWNT's tails left and right when she's been on the field all year (even for the most minor minutes) so I don't think I need to explain this either. Ashley Sanchez is a firecracker and the future of the USWNT midfield, when you pair her with Rodman/Lavelle/Mewis/Sullivan, you just continue to see great things out of her as she runs circles around everyone and finds ways to get clear. Andi is rostered because she's an icon for doing her absolute darndest to try and be a 6 for this team and it is starting to show! When the connection is there, it is THERE! We just have to make it consistent. A healthy Catarina Macario will start any roster she ever wants. If Sam Mewis recovers, by God get that girl on the field! Since the likelihood isn't known, I have her and Taylor listed as my 2nd extra players because if Sam isn't healthy and able to be our Tower of Power, I would prefer to have Taylor there. The girl is good on the ball, she is tall and knows how to use her height, and she has a great connection with her Wave teammates (Girma and Morgan, for those who don't follow NWSL). So! Here’s the edit! Tobin is hurt, so no healthy Tobin! So, who do I add? Ashley Hatch. She’s the only player with substantial minutes for the US in the midfield that I’d feel comfortable putting on now that Tobin is big girl hurt again. It doesn’t hurt that she just had an amazing performance for the Spirits either! The girl is crafty, she’s quick, and she’s cohesive with the vibes (to an extent) so I think that works! Again, I’d take Sam Mewis over her any day but one step at a time… also! the addition of Dunn back to playing in the midfield for Portland is VERY interesting and could definitely have some affects on this roster depending on her performance at the upcoming friendlies!
And yes, it did break my heart not to include Jaelin Howell here. Thank you for asking. If Tobin Heath doesn't want to play or can’t? Put her in Coach. That’s my replacement pick.
(7) Forwards: Alex Morgan, Ashley Hatch, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Megan Rapinoe, Midge Purce, Christen Press*
Alex Morgan has been playing some of the best footy of her career lately, it'd be stupid not to use it. Ashley Hatch is an interesting case but ultimately, I feel like rostering her is a smart move if for nothing else other than her ability to finish chances and help her midfield. She's also feisty, so that's always fun (and potentially dangerous but that's why we have subs). Trinity Rodman, underutilized. Give that girl her minutes and let her get on the ball. You get her, Sanchez, Macario, Smith, all on the same page? Unbeatable. Rodman has speed, a sixth sense for soccer that is just scary, and she just connects so well in so many scenarios. Sophia Smith, this is no brainer. Megan Rapinoe, our emotional support veteran, who has proved with OL Reign that she is still in form (maybe not 90-minute form but we aren't expecting her to be). Midge gets rostered because I've seen nothing but improvement from her and I expect that trend to continue. Christen Press... need I say more? If she makes her recovery along the same path as Nadia Nadim did, she will back to the game around late February which would give her just a few months to get herself settled again. IF she finds she is able to do that? I think she's got her spot. Knowing Vlatko though, this spot will go to Mallory Pugh who I have chosen to leave off this roster as she has been inconsistent and full of bad vibes that show in her lack of connection on the pitch. If I was being ENTIRELY realistic? Yes, I would expect her to be rostered. But this is my little dream world so I want Christen Press instead! Okay? Okay.
And that's what you missed on Glee.
