United States women’s national team coach Vlatko Andonovski has called up 25 players for the team’s first training camp of the year, a group that includes Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman.
NWSL 2021 Rookie of the Year Rodman, 19, accepts a call-up for the first time. But she’s not alone in terms of uncapped players, with Washington Spirit goaltender Aubrey Kingsbury also taking part in the camp. San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma joins the team for the second time at camp, which will be held in Austin, Texas.
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The camp will run from January 19-28, and while there are no friendlies scheduled in conjunction with the rally, Andonovski is keen to take a look at some rising stars ahead of the SheBelieves Cup, which will take place in mid -February.
“Without any games that we have to cut back for, we can get into more intense training and scrums on the pitch, which is great because we need to give this group as many chances as possible to play together in an environment of national team,” says Andonovski.
“We understand that some players have just taken a break, we will keep that in mind as we embark on 2022 for what will be a very important year for these players and our team. »
Andonovski’s roster also sees the return of several veterans, including goaltender Alyssa Naeher, defender Kelley O’Hara, midfielder Samantha Mewis and forward Mallory Pugh. Naeher has been out since injuring her knee in the Olympic semi-finals.
Rodman, 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year and 2021 American Football Young Player of the Year, at 19, is still eligible for the 2022 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. She was called up for the Australian friendlies in November but withdrew.
The daughter of former NBA player Dennis Rodman, she has nine career Under-20 international goals in just seven caps and likely would have made it to the 2020 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup if she didn’t. hadn’t been canceled due to the pandemic.
“She was one of the most exciting players in the league last season and she has proven that she can make an impact at the professional level in the NWSL. And now, with that, she got a call-up to the national team,” Andonovski said. about Rodman.
“Now we don’t want to rush anything. Of course, we have to be patient. She’s still a young player, but we want to expose her to an environment where she can get her feet wet a bit and get used to the environment, get used to my training and the players around her, and I hope she can continue to grow and show that what she was able to do in the league, she can do internationally. »
Andonovski said a replacement for Catarina Macario – who was originally on the list until the Coupe de France draw between Lyon and PSG – would be announced before Thursday.
“We decided that the best for Cat would be for her to stay in France, play the match against Montpellier and prepare after that and play the match against PSG in the round of 16,” said said Andonovski.
“And instead of coming here, traveling overseas, doing a few practices, then coming back or traveling again and playing a game. So overall, two outstanding games for Cat, a good experience, a high stress, intense games, it will be overall better for her. »
JANUARY TRAINING CAMP LIST BY POSITION:
KEEPERS (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (9): Alana Cook (OL Reign), Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars), Imani Dorsey (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Naomi Grima (San Diego Wave FC) , Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit), Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit)
MIDFIELDER (7): Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Jaelin Howell (Racing Louisville FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Samantha Mewis (Kansas City Current), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Esprit de Washington)
BEFORE (6): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Margaret Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Lynn Williams (Kansas City Current)
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