Having arrived over a week ago in Japan, coach Vlatko Andonovski has been closely watching his players to seek out the best group of starters as the USWNT kickstart their quest for a 5th gold medal. With the recent expansion of Olympic soccer to allow alternate players to be part of the full team, any of the 24 players could appear on the 18-player gameday roster and are now eligible for an Olympic medal, if the USA was to earn one.
Below I have put together my best guess for a gameday roster based on players known health conditions and previous performances.
GOALKEEPER: Alyssa Naeher
DEFENSE: Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Kelley O’Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn
MIDFIELD: Julie Ertz, Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle
FORWARDS: Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan, Christen Press
SUBS: Tierna Davidson (D, Adriana Franch (GK), Lindsey Horan (MF), Carli Lloyd (FW), Kristie Mewis (MF), Megan Rapinoe (FW), Emily Sonnett (D)
NOT ON ROSTER: Jane Campbell (GK), Casey Krueger (D), Catarina Macario (MF), Lynn Williams (FW)
Alyssa Naeher is a no-brainer in goal and the defense is pretty solid too. Julie Ertz has had a recent MCL injury but seems to have recovered and is back to normal practicing with the team. Lindsey Horan could easily start in her position though, as she did well during Ertz’s absence. Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd are also two players that have recently varied in the starting XI but Lloyd gives a good spark as a sub, so bringing her in around the 75th minute would make sense. Megan Rapinoe is another player that has been so good on and off the ball but with Heath’s return from injury and Press’ improvement over the past 2 years, having Rapinoe as a sub would be a weapon no other team has. That being said, Rapinoe could earn the start over Heath.
As the #1 favorite, the USWNT go into the Olympics with high expectations but with a team loaded with experience, fan favorites, and talent, they have an above average chance of exceeding these expectations.