Megan Rapinoe is set to return to the United States at the SheBelieves Cup after missing the team’s recent trip to New Zealand with an ankle injury.
Megan Rapinoe is set to return to the United States at the SheBelieves Cup after missing the team’s recent trip to New Zealand with an ankle injury.
Rapinoe has made 197 appearances for the United States and could reach 200 during the tournament, which begins Feb. 16 Orlando, Florida.
Thirteen American women have reached the 200 game mark. Alex Morgan was the latest, making her 200th appearance in a game against Germany in November. He will be honored before the SheBelieves team’s game against Canada.
Japan plays Brazil to open the robotics tournament at Exploria Stadium, followed by America’s game against Canada. The tournament moves to Nashville on February 19, with the Americans facing Japan followed by Brazil against Canada.
The finals will be in Frisco, Texas. Canada plays Japan before the United States meets Brazil. The winner is determined by points.
Rapinoe and Morgan were among 23 players on the US roster announced Wednesday for the annual tournament. Defender Tierna Davidson, who is returning to the team after an ACL injury, will participate in training but will not play in games.
Coach Vlatko Andonovski continues to tweak his roster and look at different combinations as the United States prepares for this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Sophia Smith, the American Soccer Player of the Year, is recovering from a foot injury and was not included on the list. Catarina Macario is recovering from an ACL injury but is expected to join her club Lyon squad later this month. Smith and Macario were also absent from the team’s training camp in New Zealand last month.
“It will show us where the team is now, but I don’t think it will be a real parameter of where the team will be 5 1/2 months from now. Because I know we will try things different. and try different groups of players. I’m sure that the same thing will happen with the groups that we will face,” Andonovski said about the current list. “So I don’t think it’s going to show the exact level of where the teams are.”
Midfielder Sam Mewis announced Tuesday that he needs a second operation on his right knee and could miss the World Cup. Andonovski also suggested that Julie Ertz, who gave birth to a son in August, will not be ready to compete this summer.
List of United States by rank, including team membership:
Goalkeepers: Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars).
Defenders: Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns), Emily Sonnett (OL Government).
Midfielders: Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit. )
Front: Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC).
EDITOR’S NOTE: The interview below with Megan Rapinoe is from May 4, 2022.
