Following the USWNT roster for the Australia friendlies being announced, head coach Vlatko Andonovski said that Mallory Pugh and Trinity Rodman, among other prospects, were called in for camp but chose to opt out.
In addition to Pugh and Rodman, Andonovski indicated that both Kelley O’Hara and Sam Mewis would have been called up if not for familial obligations and injury, respectively.
Andonovski later added that both Crystal Dunn and Christen Press had “decided to take off until the end of this year,” resulting in their absences from the team over the past few camps.
Rodman has had a sensational first season for the Washington Spirit, with 6 goals and 6 assists, and was named Just Women’s Sports NWSL Rookie of the Year. Pugh has likewise had a renaissance year with the Chicago Red Stars after being left off the USWNT’s Olympic roster.
In his call with media, Andonovski also confirmed that, per Australian government mandates, “everybody that travels to Australia will be fully vaccinated.”
The news comes after the USWNT roster against South Korea was revealed to have been 95 percent vaccinated against COVID-19. Senior team members are not required to be vaccinated under the terms of their collective bargaining agreement with US Soccer, but coaches and staff are.
The USWNT will play two friendlies against Australia in Australia, one on November 26th and the second on November 30th.