As the U.S. Women’s World Cup victory tour rolls into autumn, Coach Jill Ellis will probably begin introducing different players into the squad and turning attention toward Olympic qualifying early next year. For the first two matches, however, the players who lifted the trophy in Vancouver more than five weeks ago will have the stage to themselves.
Julie Johnston and the U.S. squad will face Costa Rica on Sunday in Pittsburgh and Wednesday in Chattanooga. (Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports)
The U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed the roster for friendlies against Costa Rica on Sunday in Pittsburgh and next Wednesday in Chattanooga will feature the World Cup squad only. All 23 players are scheduled to attend, though three are recovering from injuries — forward Sydney Leroux is out, forward Alex Morgan is doubtful and goalkeeper Hope Solo questionable — and one (Abby Wambach) has been inactive.
The roster parameters are good news for the Washington Spirit, which will not lose NWSL leading scorer Crystal Dunn this weekend. Dunn, a prime candidate for next year’s Olympics and beyond, will be available for Sunday’s match at Chicago. Washington’s Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger and Chicago’s Christen Press, Julie Johnston, Shannon Boxx and Lori Chalupny will miss the league game.
In anticipation of a U.S. match, the NWSL did not schedule any games this weekend; there are four this Wednesday, instead. The Spirit and Red Stars, however, were forced to reschedule a June 20 match interrupted by severe weather.
No mid-week games were planned next week, eliminating conflicts with the Chattanooga match.
More than 40,000 tickets have been sold for the U.S. event in Pittsburgh. The U.S. team will conduct an open practice at the NFL stadium Saturday morning. [Details]
The Chattanooga game is sold out (20,000).
Roster changes are possible for the friendlies against Australia, Sept. 17 at Detroit’s Ford Field and Sept. 20 at Birmingham’s Legion Field.
On Monday, the USSF formally announced the fifth and sixth matches, both against Brazil: Oct. 21 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle and Oct. 25 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
Of the first six matches, only Pittsburgh has a grass field.
The final four games will take place in early to mid-December, presumably at warm-weather locations or indoors. The venues and opponents are close to being finalized.
by: 188bet
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