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USWNT roster bubble is shrinking ahead of 2023 World Cup

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 21: Taylor Kornieck #20 of the United States scores her goal and celebrates during a game between New Zealand and USWNT at Eden Park on January 21, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

As the U.S. women’s national team approaches the SheBelieves Cup this month, the clock is ticking for players on the bubble to make an impact before head coach Vlatko Andonovski names his 23-player roster for the 2023 World Cup.

It’s difficult to predict both fitness and form before July, and there will be players who make their returns and others who will become unavailable in the upcoming months. But Andonovski has been honing a small group for months rather than casting a wide net.

The coach’s roster has remained mostly the same over the course of multiple international windows, which begs the question: Just how close is the SheBelieves roster to the group that will travel to New Zealand in July?

Goalkeepers

The SheBelieves roster includes the same three goalkeepers from both the November and January rosters: Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy and Adrianna Franch.

Naeher and Murphy have been alternating starting roles since the beginning of 2022, though Naeher has started in bigger matches like the Concacaf W Final against Canada. Andonovski has prioritized Murphy’s development, and she now has more appearances in a U.S. jersey than Franch despite only joining the team after the Tokyo Olympics.

Frankly, there doesn’t appear to be much variance in the cards here. Naeher and Murphy are clearly being built up as the No. 1 and No. 2 goalkeepers going into the World Cup, leaving a roster battle for No. 3, which is primarily a training role. Franch leapfrogged Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury for the third spot after a stellar NWSL season, but she has yet to see the field in the four friendly matchups she’s been available for since November.

If league and training form carry into roster selections this summer, there will likely still be room for Kingsbury or the other two keepers most recently in USWNT camp, Bella Bixby and Jane Campbell. If they impress enough and Franch’s performances dip, one of them could sneak onto the roster. Outside of that small caveat, this position is just about wrapped up.

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Crystal Dunn is fully back in the mix after giving birth to her son last May. (Ion Alcoba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Defense

The U.S. backline also hasn’t seen much change in recent months, even after losing one of the roster’s more intriguing players for the SheBelieves Cup. Kansas City’s Hailie Mace had been brought in as an emergency replacement for Emily Fox at times in 2022, and she also got a look in January camp. Mace missed out on the SheBelieves roster, most likely because of other players who have returned from absences.

After giving birth to her son last year, Crystal Dunn has been slowly building minutes at left back since November and should be at her most fit when games resume in February. Fox found herself in concussion protocol at different points in 2022 but appears to be on the mend herself. Sofia Huerta has also gotten consistent starts at right back, especially when the team takes an attacking-minded approach.

In terms of outside-back depth, Andonovski seems to be relying on combinations that have worked in the past instead of new faces. Emily Sonnett is back with the team, and though she played center back in one match against New Zealand, she’s been used for her versatility in the past. The team also awaits the return of veteran right back Kelley O’Hara, who Andonovski estimated should be available in April.

In the central defense, the U.S. has a fierce battle for roster spots simply based on who is healthy and performing. Naomi Girma has looked undroppable, Becky Sauerbrunn is both a veteran presence and a steady hand on the backline, and Alana Cook was the glue that held things together in 2022. Tierna Davidson is also nearing a full return, giving the U.S. four quality options (in addition to Sonnett). Andonovski might have to cut one of the players he already has available, with little room for new faces.

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Andi Sullivan has been the linchpin of the USWNT midfield, while Kristie Mewis makes her case. (Erin Chang/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Midfield

Despite the issues they had against top competition in 2022, the U.S. midfield appears mostly set going into the final World Cup preparation. Andi Sullivan is clearly the preferred choice in the defensive midfield, while Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle have consistently filled out connecting and attacking roles. Taylor Kornieck and Kristie Mewis have been brought in for late-game minutes, and Ashley Sanchez is a creative spark. Outside of those roles, there hasn’t been much rotation.

Andonovski confirmed that Sam Mewis will not be available for the World Cup due to injury and also said it’s unlikely that Julie Ertz will return to the sport in time for the tournament. Instead of investing more in young defensive midfielders Sam Coffey and Jaelin Howell, Andonovski has focused on building chemistry between Sullivan and the players in front of her. Coffey didn’t play any minutes in the USWNT’s two games against New Zealand in January, and did not make the roster for SheBelieves. Howell hasn’t been with the team since October, when she replaced Kornieck due to injury.

When Catarina Macario returns from her ACL recovery, it’s unclear whether she’ll be listed as an attacking midfielder. Andonovski’s recent personnel choices indicate he’d rather rely on a consistent midfield trio rather than go all-in on perfecting the position’s depth.

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Vlatko Andonovski has repeatedly praised Megan Rapinoe's leadership. (Omar Vega/Getty Images)

Attack

Megan Rapinoe is once again fit and back on the USWNT roster after a lingering injury kept her out of camp in November and January. Andonovski has praised Rapinoe as a key piece of the team’s locker-room culture, and there’s arguably no player in today’s game better from the penalty spot.

In adding Rapinoe, Andonovski made cuts to the midfield and defense, which might indicate a priority toward getting the attacking mix right. The U.S. took seven forwards to the 2019 World Cup. It was considered a top-heavy decision at the time, but it also gave the team some wiggle room when Rapinoe became limited later in the tournament with a hamstring injury.

Andonovski still has a few decisions to make on the frontline, but as with other positions, his logic appears rooted in players returning from injury. Andonovski is still reluctant to rule anyone out of the future player pool — recently citing the wealth of experience both Christen Press and Tobin Heath could bring to the team — but his roster selections have told a different story.

Rather than replacing injured stars like Sophia Smith with talent like Mia Fishel, who has yet to get into camp with the first team, Andonovski brought back Midge Purce and eventually Rapinoe. Purce appears to be one of the players who’s closest to battling for a World Cup spot, having dropped off the roster late in 2022 but returning in 2023 with a renewed sense of intensity. Lynn Williams had a strong showing against New Zealand in her first game minutes since last February, and Trinity Rodman has instincts on the wing that stick out even among a talented player pool. Alex Morgan has also further solidified her place at center forward in Macario’s absence, providing strong hold-up play and veteran leadership.

Macario’s return looms over the central attack, and Andonovski will have to decide if there’s room for both the 23-year-old and Ashley Hatch. He will also eventually have to decide which wingers he wants backing up the assumed starting duo of Smith and Mallory Swanson. The USWNT’s attack is arguably its deepest position, and at least one world-class player is going to be staying home as a result.

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

USC’s McKenzie Forbes: From Gap Year to the NCAA Tournament

As part of our 1-v-1 video series, USC’s India Otto sat down to interview her teammate McKenzie Forbes. 

Here are five things to know from our conversation with the graduate transfer from Folsom, California.

#1 Inspired by USC’s Head Coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, McKenzie wants to be a basketball coach or work in the front office in the future.

When weighing in on what makes a good coach, McKenzie said x’s and o’s are important but “Coaching is a lot of relationship managing and people managing. I think you have to be a good people person and be able to build those relationships, but also in that same breath, you can’t be afraid to have people dislike you in moments. I think that’s a big part of leadership.”

#2 McKenzie says the trajectory of her career changed when she made the decision to transfer from Cal to Harvard.

 In order to transfer, she was forced to take a gap year and spend a lot of time in the gym. “I completely transformed my body and, going into the Harvard season, felt like I was a completely different player. Going to Harvard and playing in a more mid-major conference, I had the ball in my hands a lot more than I might have if I transferred to another Power 5. It really developed other parts of my game.”

#3 How does McKenzie think USC will do in the Women’s College Basketball Tournament?

“I’m not going to give a typical interview answer. I want a Final Four. We have that potential and capability. Like why not? Why not us? I think we have all the pieces.”

#4 Her older brother, Marcus, was her biggest mentor growing up.

“He was basically my trainer from Elementary school on until he went to college.”

#5 Fun facts about Forbes:

She can juggle and she was the quarterback of her Pop Warner football team. “I was slow but I could throw it!”

Watch the full conversation on the Just Women’s Sports YouTube channel.

Christen Press back training with Angel City FC

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Christen Press #23 of Angel City FC waves to fans following a game between the Portland Thorns and Angel City FC at BMO Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

Christen Press continues to inch her way back to a return, having returned to training with her club team Angel City. 

Angel City FC coach Becki Tweed said on Wednesday that Press is back with the team full-time as she continues to make her way back from an ACL injury. While she’s still working on rehab, her being back with the team gives staff a better picture of her progress. 

"Christen [Press] is back with us full time which is amazing,” she said. “Having her in and around the team every day, continuing to work hard on rehab ... she's in a space where being in with the team is really important to her and her progression as well.”

The status update comes days after Press posted videos to social media that featured her doing lateral movement in cleats on grass. 

“Look out world she’s on the move !” Press captioned it. 

Press has been sidelined with an ACL injury since 2022, which caused her to miss the 2023 World Cup. She’s since had four separate surgeries to help repair her ACL.

Press told The Athletic a month ago that she’s been “relentless” in her optimism with her recovery despite it being a “slow process.”

“I have a bit of relentless optimism,” she told The Athletic. “I never, ever doubted that I would make it back on any of the timelines I’ve been on."

"Every single time I’ve heard, ‘You have to have surgery,’ I’m completely shocked,” she said. “When somebody asks me how it’s going, I’m like, ‘It’s going great. And it was going great every time. So I don’t know what to tell you anymore!’”

Sophia Smith re-signs with Portland on record deal

(Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports)

Sophia Smith is now the NWSL’s highest-paid player. 

The Portland Thorns announced on Wednesday that they have signed Smith to a new contract through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, the team did reveal that Smith is now the highest-paid player in the league on an annual basis.

It’s the latest in what has been a series of record-breaking contracts in the NWSL offseason. 

Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Swanson, Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji, and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda all signed multi-year deals worth between $2 million and $2.5 million in total. While Smith’s contract is shorter and not worth as much over the long-term, the annual worth is higher. 

“We are over the moon to have Soph commit again to the Thorns. She is a proven, world-class talent and one that we are excited to have contribute to the team’s continued success,” said head coach Mike Norris in a statement. “We look forward to working with her in a Thorns jersey as she continues to shine as one of the top strikers in the world.”

In just four seasons in the NWSL, Smith has led the Thorns to five trophies – including the 2022 NWSL championship – while winning league and championship MVP in 2022. In 61 appearances with Portland, she has 34 goals – including a brace to start this season against Kansas City. 

She’s also a member of the USWNT, having scored 16 goals in 44 international appearances.  Set to become a free agent at the end of this season, she told ESPN she “thought of all the options” but ultimately Portland felt like the right decision.

"There is no place like Portland," Smith said in a small roundtable interview that included ESPN. "I don't believe there's an environment like Portland to play in and it's a city that's so special to me and a city that I feel like I've grown up in almost and become who I am."

She also told ESPN that the team’s new ownership “changes everything.” The club is now led by the Bhathal family, who bought the club after Merritt Paulson was forced to sell it following his part in the NWSL’s abuse scandal. 

"Since I've been here there has been a lot of things going on with this club -- a lot of not-great things going on with this club -- and I have just been waiting for some stability and some reassurance that this club is headed in the right direction, and the Bhathal family coming in is doing exactly that, if not more,” Smith said. 

"Their vision for this club is so exciting, and you can just tell how passionate they are about making this what it should be and continuing to push the standard in women's soccer globally.”

Caitlin Clark offered $5 million to compete in Ice Cube’s league

IOWA CITY, IOWA- MARCH 25: Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates as time runs out in the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers during their second round match-up in the 2024 NCAA Division 1 Women's Basketball Championship at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 25, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

Caitlin Clark has been offered $5 million to play in Ice Cube's Big3 league, he confirmed on social media Wednesday after the offer leaked.

"We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship," Ice Cube wrote on social media. "But I won't deny what's now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn't we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3."

While there has yet to be a women's player in the league, both Nancy Lieberman and Lisa Leslie have been part of the league as coaches and won championships.

"The skeptics laughed when we made Nancy Lieberman the first female coach of a men's pro team, and she won the championship in her first year," Ice Cube continued. "Then Lisa Leslie won it all in year two. With our offer, Caitlin Clark can make history and break down even more barriers for women athletes."

Ice Cube, whose name is O’Shea Jackson, says that the offer was made with the intention that Clark be able to compete in the WNBA “offseason.” Clark is largely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft in April. But it’s unclear how the scheduling of the two leagues would work. 

The 2024 Big3 season is set to tip off on June 15, with 10 games spanning through mid-August. The WNBA regular season, meanwhile, begins on May 14 and ends on Sept. 19.

On “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday, Jackson said that the league has yet to hear back from Clark. 

“We just need an answer, as soon as they are ready to give it to us,” he said. “It’s always 50-50 till we get a no. At the end of the day, it’s a generous offer.”

The offer – as well as the confusion on Jackson’s part about the timing of the WNBA season – caused some current WNBA players to react. 

"It's funny cause I be seeing his son at W games.. they don't talk?" wrote former No. 1 pick Rhyne Howard

"So no other women's basketball player has came to mind in the last 7 years?" wrote Lexie Brown, adding that she'd support if Ice Cube wanted to build a women's iteration of the league. She later discussed it on the Gils Arena Show, noting that his reasoning of wanting to “uplift and support WNBA players and women athletes” is a “cop out.”

Kalani Brown, meanwhile, told Clark to "take that money" and start a women's Big3.

WNBA salaries has been a talking point in recent months as more collegiate stars declare for the league. WNBA stars have often made more money playing abroad than they have in the WNBA. Clark is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft on April 15, with a rookie salary of $76,535 for lottery draft picks (Nos. 1-4) that rises to $97,582 by her fourth season. But she also has an NIL valuation of almost $3.5 million.

Diana Taurasi famously skipped the 2015 WNBA season at the request of her Russian club, who paid her more to sit out than she would have made in the W. Her contract with the club was reportedly near $1.5 million per year.

Jackson also seemed to suggest that his league could be an alternative to going abroad

“America’s women athletes should not be forced to spend their off seasons playing in often dismal and dubious foreign countries just to make ends meet,” he wrote. Although it’s unclear whether or not the rapper intends to make offers to additional WNBA players. 

While the league does hold prioritization rules in its CBA, those typically apply only to players playing in overseas leagues. It’s unclear whether or not that would prevent Clark’s participation in the Big3 league.

WNBA players that don’t want to go overseas currently have the option of playing in Athletes Unlimited, which competes in the WNBA offseason.

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