The 18-player roster for the United States women’s national team’s Olympics campaign has finally arrived.

Coach Vlatko Andonovski has put together a roster that has as good of a shot as any at winning gold in Tokyo. With the inevitable snubs and surprising inclusions, here are our five takeaways from the roster selection.

1. Kristie Mewis’ redemption story leads to first Olympics

It’s hard to forget the journey Mewis has taken to get to this point — getting cut from the national team, bouncing around NWSL teams, tearing her ACL. But Mewis didn’t let any of those things deter her, and eventually she made her way back onto the national team in 2020, scoring a goal in her first game back against the Netherlands.

Now, the Houston Dash midfielder will have a chance to win gold with the U.S. as the only player who was not on the 2019 World Cup team. It also marks the first time that sisters will represent the U.S. on a world championship roster at the senior level, as younger sister Sam also made the team.

2. The Midge Purce snub

Purce made her case for inclusion during the USWNT’s Summer Series, but it just wasn’t enough for the forward to make the cut. A creative playmaker who can make things happen, Purce was asked to play a new position, leaving her to try to make the team as a defender. Through the transition, she showed her versatility in being able to adjust and move around the field. Andonovski said as much following the team’s win over Jamaica in the Summer Series.

Andonovski also said Purce could have been more patient and in step with the pace of the game. When considering the average age of the players on this roster, inexperience might have been the biggest factor in Andonovski’s decision to leave Purce off the team.

3. How healthy are Tobin Heath, Julie Ertz and Rose Lavelle?

Leading up to the roster selection, the biggest question was whether Tobin Heath and Julie Ertz would be healthy enough to play in the Olympics.

Heath has been sidelined since the beginning of 2021 with a knee injury she suffered while playing for Manchester United. Ertz hasn’t played since a May 16 Red Stars game because of an MCL injury. With Andonovski naming both of them to the roster, it appears they will be ready to go in time for the Olympics. Not only do Heath and Ertz bring experience, but they also provide depth and playmaking ability. Heath re-joined the team during training camp in June, and Ertz is expected to join them for the Send-Off Series in July.

Meanwhile, Lavelle rolled her ankle in the Summer Series game against Jamaica and missed the final game against Nigeria. Andonovski said she rested out of precaution, but it’s noteworthy that Lavelle didn’t play in the most recent OL Reign game against Chicago.

Only time will tell how healthy these players really are, but when considering the value each of them brings to the table, it’s hard not to justify their inclusion.

4. No need to worry about the alternates

In the event that any of Heath, Ertz or Lavelle are unable to play, Andonovski has assembled a stacked group of alternates. Catarina Macario or Lynn Williams could step in at any time and fill holes at midfield and forward. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell and defender Casey Krueger also have significant international experience, having played for the U.S. in FIFA Youth World Cups.

Macario arguably could have taken over Kristie Mewis’ spot on the roster, but experience ultimately won out — Mewis brings a certain level of game-readiness that Macario just doesn’t have yet. As Claire Watkins pointed out last week, Macario is the future and the experience she gains as an alternate will be valuable when she gets her official shot.

5. Experience, experience, experience

The team’s average age will be 30.8 when they kick off their first match on July 21. The average number of caps stands at 111. Carli Lloyd, who turns 39 on July 16, will be the oldest-ever U.S. women’s soccer Olympian — nearly two years older than Christie Rampone was when she played in the 2012 Olympics.

At 22 years old, Tierna Davidson is the youngest player on the roster. That represents a stark contrast from 2016, when then-coach Jill Ellis took 18-year-old attacker Mallory Pugh, 22-year-old Lindsey Horan and 24-year-old Crystal Dunn to Rio. All three were making their first major international appearances that year for the USWNT. This time around, the 18 players on this roster have made a combined 2,004 national team appearances.

Honorable mention

Casey Krueger’s inclusion on the alternate list garnered more attention than most would expect from a reserve lineup.

The Chicago defender’s presence on the roster did come as a bit of surprise since she missed the most recent Summer Series, but she does help make up for a lack of depth at outside back. For years now, the USWNT has relied on converting wingers to the outside back position, and in the case of Crystal Dunn, the move has paid off. But in a short tournament like the Olympics, it’s important that the USWNT has a tried and true defender in the ranks, especially if Kelley O’Hara or Dunn go down with an injury. The 26-year-old is a defender’s defender, something that has become increasingly valuable on the USWNT squad.

For the first time in the NWSL's 12-year history, fans can now buy their own goalkeeper jerseys. And while replica goalkeeper jerseys representing all 14 NWSL teams hit the market on Wednesday, some didn't stick around for long. 

Fans across women's soccer have long vocalized their discontent over the position's lack of availability on social media, often comparing the shortcoming to the widespread availability of men’s goalkeeper jerseys. And as the NWSL has grown, so has demand — and not just from those in the stands. 

"To have goalkeeper kits available for fans in the women’s game as they have been for so long in the men’s game is not only a long-awaited move in the right direction, it’s just good business," said Washington Spirit goalie Aubrey Kingsbury in an team press release. "I can’t wait to see fans representing me, Barnie [Barnhart], and Lyza in the stands at Audi!"

just went looking at #nwsl goalkeeper kit stock out of curiosity — Alyssa Naeher's $145 kit already sold out S-XL (league announced GK jerseys on sale 3 hours ago)https://t.co/8bYA7tlwcx

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) April 17, 2024

Business does, in fact, appear to be booming. Alyssa Naeher’s Chicago Red Stars kit sold out less than three hours after the league's announcement. Jerseys for other keepers like DiDi Haračić, Abby Smith, Michelle Betos, Katelyn Rowland, and Bella Bixby aren’t currently available via the Official NWSL Shop, though blank goalkeeper jerseys can be customized through some individual team sites. Jerseys start at $110 each.

"This should be the benchmark," said Spirit Chief Operations Officer Theresa McDonnell. "The expectation is that all players’ jerseys are available to fans. Keepers are inspiring leaders and mentors with their own unique fan base who want to represent them... I can’t wait to see them all over the city."

Decorated gymnast Simone Biles took to the popular Call Her Daddy podcast this week to open up about her experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, revealing she thought she was going to be "banned from America" for her performance.

After Biles botched her vault routine due to a bout of the "twisties," she withdrew from the team final as well as the all-around final in order to focus on her mental health. She later reentered the competition to win bronze in the individual balance beam final.

In her interview with podcast host Alex Cooper, Biles admitted to feeling like she let the entire country down by failing her vault attempt.

"As soon as I landed I was like 'Oh, America hates me. The world is going to hate me. I can only see what they’re saying on Twitter right now,'" she recalled thinking. "I was like, ‘Holy s---, what are they gonna say about me?'"

"I thought I was going to be banned from America," she continued. "That’s what they tell you: Don’t come back if not gold. Gold or bust. Don’t come back."

Widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, Biles has hinted at a desire to join her third Olympic team in Paris, though her participation won't be confirmed until after the gymnastics trials in late June. She holds over 30 medals from the Olympic Games and World Artistic Gymnastics Championships combined, and if qualified, would be a sure favorite heading into this summer’s games.

Caitlin Clark is reportedly close to cementing a hefty endorsement deal with Nike.

The Athletic was the first to break the news Wednesday evening, commenting that the deal would be worth "eight figures" and include her own signature shoe. On Thursday afternoon, the publication tweeted that the deal would top $20 million, according to lead NBA Insider Shams Charania. Both Under Armour and Adidas are said to have also made sizable offers to the college phenom and expected future WNBA star.

The new agreement comes after Clark's previous Nike partnership ended with the conclusion of the college basketball season. She was one of five NCAA athletes to sign an NIL deal with the brand back in October, 2022. 

Considering Clark's overwhelming popularity and Nike's deep pockets, the signing's purported value doesn't exactly come as a shock. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu’s deal with the brand is reportedly worth $24 million, while NBA rookie and No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama’s deal is rumored to weigh in at $100 million. And in 2003, LeBron James famously earned $90 million off his own Nike deal. 

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Clark’s star power continues to skyrocket, with the NCAA championship averaging 18.9 million viewers and the 2024 WNBA Draft more than doubling its previous viewership record. Following the draft, Fanatics stated that Clark's Indiana Fever jersey — which sold out within an hour — was the top seller for any draft night pick in the company’s history, with droves of unlucky fans now being forced to wait until August to get their hands on some official No. 22 gear.

In Wednesday's Indiana Fever introductory press conference, the unfailingly cool, calm, and collected Clark said that turning pro hasn’t made a huge impact on how she’s conducting her deals.

"If I’m being completely honest, I feel like it doesn’t change a ton from how I lived my life over the course of the last year," she said. "Sponsorships stay the same. The people around me, agents and whatnot, have been able to help me and guide me through the course of the last year. I don’t know if I would be in this moment if it wasn’t for a lot of them."

Former Oklahoma slugger Jocelyn Alo has signed on with Athletes Unlimited and will compete in the AU Pro Softball AUX this June.

The NCAA record holder in career home runs (122), total bases (761), and slugging percentage (.987), Alo was originally drafted by the league in 2022 but opted instead to join the newly debuted Women’s Professional Fastpitch. 

Alo currently plays for independent pro softball team Oklahoma City Spark, with team owner Tina Floyd reportedly on board with her recent AUX signing. AUX games are scheduled for June 10-25, while the Spark's season will kick off June 19th. Alo will play for both. 

Among those joining Alo on the AUX roster are former James Madison ace pitcher Odicci Alexander and former Wichita State standout middle infielder Sydney McKinney.

According to Alo, the decision to play in the Athletes Unlimited league was fueled by her desire to propel women's sports forward as well as provide more exposure to a sport that's given her "so many opportunities."

"Not only to challenge myself more, but just for the growth of the game," Alo said, explaining her reasoning to The Oklahoman. "I genuinely believe that professional softball can be a career for girls."

Joining AUX is also one more step in her plan toward representing Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"I’m constantly thinking about how can I do these little things right in these four years to prepare me for the biggest stage of softball," she told The Oklahoman. "I definitely want to play in the Olympics, for sure."

Alo further expressed enthusiasm in the hope that the rise of other women’s sports, like women’s basketball and the NWSL, will push softball’s professional viability even higher.

"We’re seeing the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) get their stuff going, I see the WNBA starting to get hot," she continued. "I feel like the softball community is like, 'All right, it’s our turn and it’s our turn to just demand more.'"