Tonight wraps up the 2021 US Women’s National Team’s “Summer Series.” So far, they’ve squeaked out a 1-0 victory over Portugal and a decisive 4-0 win against fellow CONCACAF side Jamaica. While soccer matches are always fun to watch, the talk surrounding the USA is all about the USWNT Olympic roster. Next month, they join the Tokyo Olympic soccer tournament. Their goal is clear: win their fifth gold medal and first since 2012.
Manager Vlatko Andonovski isn’t showing his hand on who is guaranteed to make the roster. When asked by the media about the status of the 18 roster spots, and four alternates, his response is, “all 18 spots are open.” Looking at the recent history of the US Women’s National Team, that’s obviously not true because some players are safer than others.
Members of the Beyond Women’s Sports soccer writing team decided to take our chance at guessing who will be selected. Some names stretch across writers, but there are a few surprises from players on the edge of the team.
Olivia Alongi
Sunday night’s game against Jamaica proved to be audition-like as Andonovski introduced new faces to the starting 11 where Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, Catarina Macario, and Midge Purce all saw minutes. It may be the deciding factor in making appearances in Tokyo.
There are key takeaways from Saturday. A sign is the play of Sonnett and Purce. The defenders were only two of the four who stayed on the entire 90 minutes. Purce showed off her versatility, which paid off on more than one end of the field. In the first half, she contributed to the team’s lead earning her first goal putting them up by three. Purce then transitioned to the defensive line where Sonnett was demonstrating how dominant she can be on the right side of the field. There are questions to answer upfront though.
Named women of the match in the last two friendlies, reinforces how good Christen Press is at her job. Andonovski has gradually taken Press from a sub to a starter which was one of his smarter decisions.
As of late, Lynn Williams has not polished her finishing abilities but Carli Lloyd on the other hand has presented again, age is nothing but a number. Lloyd now becomes the oldest member in USWNT history to score a goal.
She may be a question mark now, but Tobin Heath’s skill and soccer IQ alone can save her a spot on this roster. Heath is at training camp and is likely further along than Julie Ertz in the rehabilitation process. Thankfully, Andonovski has a depth list of players that can play in that sixth spot, but none can’t entirely replace Ertz. Andi Sullivan may be the only more with the most experience for the job.
In the midfield, two Mewis sisters are better than one. I think Kristie Mewis has proven to be as dedicated as ever picking right back up from where she left off six years ago.
Cee Rivers
For young defenders, the final position really comes down to Davidson and Alana Cook, however, like Adrianna Franch and Jane Campbell, when it comes to experience Davidson tops the list. The midfield has a lot going on.
If Ertz is healthy enough to return, she is a guaranteed spot in the US’s backline. However, if not there is a lot of debate about who can fill that role, and if I had to make the call it would have to be Sullivan. However, the question then becomes can she step up into such a big role? And with Andonovski previously considering Sonnet and Davidson to step in, who will fill those holes in the backline?
Macario and Kristie Mewis were definitely one of the harder choices for me, but Andonovski has made it very clear that he intends for Macario to play a large role in the future of this team. To solidify those plans, she must get as much experience as possible as early as she can. Rose Lavelle is another “no questions asked” spot, but with her health constantly in question, it is definitely a concern.
At forward, Heath’s impact on the team on and off the field is definitely a game-changer and it seems that Andonovski has full intention of bringing her along, health allowing. However, if it was up to me, I’d move her from her recent attacker position to take full advantage of her versatility on the field.
If you were to ask me to make this list in January, Lloyd would not have made my cut, however over the past few games, Lloyd has once again made a statement about just how crucial she is. She has definitely been back on her A-game.
In the alternate spots, Campbell has had some amazing performances with the Houston Dash this past year. When it comes to experience and delivery, Franch appears to be the better option for such a tight roster. Lastly, Purce’s versatility made finding her space on this list very difficult, however, she like Cook are sure to be crucial pieces in this team’s future.
Robbie Rogers
I think Lloyd, Purce, and Sonnett sold their case for the roster in the game against Jamaica. The fact that Portland Thorns, and US veteran, Franch received the call up for the Summer Series over Campbell shows me that she is in for the final 18.
Aside from those on my list who were in the 2019 World Cup, I added Kristie Mewis. She has shown over the past year she is deserving of a spot on the National Team for the Olympics.
Thomas Costello
There are countless USWNT Olympic roster combinations available, but I think it boils down to two types of rosters. Choose who got you there or prepare for the future. There are of course names that stretch across both. Chicago Red Stars defender Davidson or midfielder Lavelle, for example. There’s an area where there will be a big roster turnover in future years though.
At forward, Heath, Press, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Lloyd are all mainstays. They’re also all in their 30s, with Morgan the youngest when she turns 32 before the Olympics. The future beyond the 2023 World Cup is Sophia Smith, Purce, and Mallory Pugh.
I think this tournament will include the veterans that got the team to the top of international soccer. If there was one name to take from the alternates, and put into the forward group, it’s Pugh. The USA’s 1-0 victory showed that they need another clinical finisher in the offensive third. Pugh is electric for Chicago in 2021. In all NWSL competitions, she has two goals and two assists as she’s getting back to 100%. Not including her will be a big loss, even if her past injury concerns makes her a riskier selection.
The USWNT Olympic roster will arrive soon after the Summer Series. It ends tonight when the United States faces Nigeria. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET, in Austin, Texas. The United States plays another group of matches, called the Send Off Series. They face Mexico on July 1 and 5.
Follow Beyond Women’s Sports for more from the US National Team, NWSL, WNBA, and more. Let us know who you’d pick in the comments below or let us know on Twitter.
