After months of speculation, international friendlies and NWSL games, the U.S. women’s national team’s World Cup roster is almost here.

The U.S. has gotten tough injury news, welcome returns and questions surrounding player form during the most recent audition phase, leaving head coach Vlatko Andonovski without clear head-to-head performances on which to base his final decisions. Andonovski has to balance international experience, positional needs and current mentality when making his final selections, and history tells us he’ll favor consistency over everything else.

With all of these factors in mind, here is what I think the final USWNT roster for the 2023 World Cup will look like.

Goalkeepers (3)

In: Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy, Aubrey Kingsbury
On the bubble: AD Franch

For the first time in 2023, there appears to have been enough of a shift in the USWNT’s goalkeeping outlook that we might see a change to Andonovski’s final roster. Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy and Adrianna Franch — the trio that closed out 2022 for the U.S. — have each had mercurial performances in the NWSL this season, raising questions of form going into the World Cup.

Murphy has been the most consistent of the current pool, and Naeher has looked more like herself in recent weeks after a rough start to Chicago’s season. But Franch is still having trouble getting on the field, after being dropped in favor of former backup Cassie Miller, and has not excelled in limited appearances. Aubrey Kingsbury has been very steady for the Washington Spirit and has extensive experience in camp with the USWNT. Andonovski could make a last-minute shift to the hot hand for the third keeper role.

Defenders (7)

In: Naomi Girma, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alana Cook, Emily Fox, Crystal Dunn, Casey Krueger, Emily Sonnett
On the bubble: Tierna Davidson, Sofia Huerta, Kelley O’Hara

With the USWNT’s projected starting group of Girma, Sauerbrunn, Fox and Dunn all healthy heading into the roster announcement, the adjustments Andonovski might make are at the margins of the defense. Alana Cook’s experience with the U.S. system gives her an edge over high NWSL performers like the Spirit’s Sam Staab. Cook has been solid for OL Reign this season, and her comfort level at the international level is difficult to replicate.

The final utility center-back role will likely come down to Emily Sonnett and Tierna Davidson, both of whom have had touchy NWSL seasons thus far. Sonnett has taken on a holding midfield role for OL Reign, without playing many minutes at her preferred center-back position. Davidson has been a regular defensive starter for Chicago but has had trouble alongside the rest of the Red Stars’ defense, which has given up a league-leading 23 goals in 10 games.

Outside back/center-back hybrid Casey Krueger has maintained her personal standard despite Chicago’s struggles and is my sleeper candidate for the final backup outside-back role. Her inclusion would mean Andonovski has placed an emphasis on 1v1 skills over the crossing ability of Sofia Huerta, who has been steady in 2023. The other player competing for that spot, Kelley O’Hara, recently picked up another small injury, raising more questions about her durability.

Midfielders (6)

In: Julie Ertz, Andi Sullivan, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis, Ashley Sanchez
On the bubble: Taylor Kornieck, Sam Coffey, Savannah DeMelo

Rose Lavelle hasn’t played in the NWSL since injuring her knee in mid-April, causing concern among the U.S. fanbase. Still, she hasn’t been officially ruled out from consideration, and she’s a player the USWNT would rely upon in tandem with Ashley Sanchez for creative playmaking in the middle of the pitch.

Julie Ertz also has gotten less playing time in her NWSL return than might have been originally hoped for. The USWNT will likely have to play her alongside presumed starter Andi Sullivan to get the most out of the 31-year-old defensive midfielder. But like with so many other positions, ambiguity in fitness and form around players Andonovski clearly favors has not stopped the U.S. head coach from taking chances in the past, and I expect very little change to the USWNT midfield prior to their first game in New Zealand.

Ertz and Sullivan are the team’s defensive midfield options, Horan and Mewis will play more connecting box-to-box roles, and Sanchez and Lavelle will be asked to provide a creative spark. If any of those players end up not being available, Taylor Kornieck and Sam Coffey will be waiting in the wings.

Forwards (7)

In: Lynn Williams, Alex Morgan, Sophia Smith, Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Ashley Hatch, Alyssa Thompson
On the bubble: Jaedyn Shaw, Midge Purce

With Catarina Macario officially removing herself from consideration for the World Cup as she continues to recover from an ACL injury, the question marks on the frontline come down to attacking philosophy. Does Macario’s absence solidify Ashley Hatch’s place as a center-forward backup, or does Andonovski cut the backup role entirely in favor of adding a different winger or creative midfielder? Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Lynn Williams have all spent time in the central attack and have the ability to make switches mid-game.

Hatch has been quietly effective in the NWSL this season and can rotate in the necessary minutes to make sure Alex Morgan can give her legs a break in the group stages. Alyssa Thompson would also give the U.S. additional winger rotation options on the left side with Rodman and Megan Rapinoe, whose ability in dead-ball situations and World Cup experience should earn her a place on the roster.

The injuries to Macario and Mallory Swanson create space for most of the obvious bubble players on the USWNT frontline, with NWSL standout Jaedyn Shaw and Gotham FC forward Midge Purce likely the first few missing out. Purce has been in and out of USWNT camp in the last calendar year. Recently, she’s been dealing with injuries that have kept her off the pitch during the crucial weeks leading up to the final roster decision.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

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.'"