It’s certainly no secret that this U.S. women’s national team World Cup roster looks much different from the last.

With many veterans having retired or out due to injury, the USWNT is bringing a number of newcomers down under. In total 14 of the 23 players on the provisional roster have never played in a World Cup.

Among them are players who have solidified their spots since 2019, like Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma, who are still young but bring a dominating presence to the squad. Others, like Alyssa Thompson, are just a few caps in and still attempting to find their way.

Alana Cook, 26, defender

Defender Alana Cook has factored heavily for the USWNT the last couple matches, including getting her first goal against Ireland in April. With club experience both internationally and domestically, Cook is no stranger to the world’s biggest stages from a club standpoint. Now, she’ll do it for the USWNT.

Also eligible to play for England, Cook’s first senior international call-up actually came for the Lionesses, before being called up to the USWNT in October 2019. Since joining OL Reign in 2021, Cook helped the squad to the NWSL Shield in 2022 and was named to the NWSL’s Best XI in 2021 and 2022.

Savannah DeMelo, 25, midfielder

Savannah DeMelo’s stellar start to the NWSL season has been rewarded with a provisional World Cup roster spot. Despite call-ups to the USWNT in September and October of 2022, DeMelo hasn’t made an international appearance, meaning that her debut will likely either come at the World Cup or in the send-off game against Wales. Her lack of experience could factor in, or it could not – and if it doesn’t, look out: DeMelo scored in four of five appearances to start the season and forced an own goal against Chicago.

Emily Fox, 24, defender

After earning her first call-up to the USWNT in 2018, Emily Fox finally earned significant time in camp in 2022, making 14 appearances and notching one assist. She’s had six appearances to start the year, and even scored her first NWSL goal against Ireland in April.

Fox is one that can go anywhere on the back line, be it right or left. USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn has called the defender “versatile” before, which could prove helpful down under if Andonovski decides he wants to play around with his lineup. With Sauerbrunn out, it’s even more likely that Fox could end up a starter in the first slate of games as Crystal Dunn continues to regain fitness and stamina after returning from childbirth.

Naomi Girma, 23, defender

Naomi Girma may have once been the future of the USWNT’s defense, but with the absence of Becky Sauerbrunn that future is now here. Girma might just be two years into her professional career, and 15 appearances into her international career, but you wouldn’t know it.

In her rookie NWSL season, Girma was named not only Rookie of the Year, but Defender of the Year as well. She’ll take on a lot of responsibility in her first World Cup, but there might not be another player better suited for it.

Sofia Huerta, 30, defender

While Huerta has become a mainstay over the last few years, the 2023 World Cup will be her first major tournament with the squad. While she missed out on the 2021 Olympics, she helped the team to the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Championship title, and she’ll look to replicate that success in Australia and New Zealand.

Aubrey Kingsbury, 31, goalkeeper

After receiving her first national team call-up in 2019, goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury has now been named to the World Cup roster. Slotting in at the third-string goalkeeper slot, Kingsbury has just one international appearance, but it was a clean sheet in a 9-0 win over Uzbekistan in April 2022. She’s also had a solid start to the NWSL season, and statistically has always been one of the NWSL’s best keepers.

Kristie Mewis, 32, midfielder

Kristie Mewis has been in the USWNT ranks for a long time, having earned 15 caps between 2013 and 2014 before falling off the radar. Suffering two serious knee injuries during that time, Mewis fought her way back and was rewarded. Under Vlatko Anodnovski, the midfielder has seen a resurgence in her national team career. Mewis is now one of the more experienced players that is going to New Zealand, despite never having played in a World Cup, with 51 international appearances under her belt.

Casey Murphy, 27, goalkeeper

Murphy made her first appearance for the senior national team on a trip to Australia in 2021. She recorded a shutout in that match against the Matildas, and she’ll look for similar success on her return trip.

Trinity Rodman, 21, forward

After bursting onto the NWSL scene in 2021, Trinity Rodman received her first call-up in 2022, scoring in just her third national team appearance. She made 10 appearances in 2022, scoring two goals.

A Ballon d’Or nominee in 2022, Rodman also became the highest paid player in NWSL history in February 2022. While she’s intermittently started since her first call-up, the injury to Mallory Swanson provides Rodman with the ability to solidify herself as a starter. Nobody can replace Swanson, but Rodman has the ability to balance out the USWNT starting attack, both with her scoring and as one of the team’s best passers.

Ashley Sanchez, 24, midfielder

Ashley Sanchez is no stranger to the national team program, having spent a lot of time on the youth national teams. In 2016, she featured at the U-20 Women’s World Cup and the U-17 WWC, becoming the first player in U.S. history to play in multiple World Cups in the same year. She also received her first national team call-up that year (although her first cap came in 2021), meaning that she’s been in the system a long time. Sanchez is a player that’s good at creating chances and taking them, and has had a good start to the NWSL season.

Sophia Smith, 22, forward

The 2022 NWSL Player of the Year also featured as one of the best players internationally and was named U.S. Soccer Player of the Year. But she’ll be making her first World Cup appearance this summer. And while some have tabbed her as “the future” of the USWNT, Smith has made it known that she’s intent on being that player right now.

Through 29 international appearances, Smith has 12 goals, with her most recent coming against Germany last November. She’s made just two appearances to start 2023, having dealt with some injury issues that kept her sidelined earlier in the year. But she’s back healthy, and started the NWSL season with seven goals and five assists in seven appearances, which once again places her as one of the best players in the league.

Andi Sullivan, 27, midfielder

Sullivan helped lead the Washington Spirit to the 2021 NWSL title, and since then she has become a starter in the USWNT midfield while Julie Ertz missed time due to injury and then pregnancy. She could hold onto that starting spot even with Ertz’s return.

Alyssa Thompson, 18, forward

18-year-old Alyssa Thompson’s career has been on a fast path ever since she made her USWNT debut last October. Since then, she’s made three appearances on the USWNT, and was called up in April as a replacement for Mallory Swanson.

Drafted first-overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft, Thompson has made 11 appearances in her rookie pro season for Angel City FC and scored three goals – which is the second-most on the team and includes just 11 minutes into her NWSL regular season debut and just five minutes into her pro debut against Club América. While young, Thompson’s abilities cannot be understated and she brings a boost down under with the USWNT.

Lynn Williams, 30, forward

Although it may seem crazy, this will be Lynn Williams’ first World Cup appearance. The three-time NWSL champion, NWSL Golden Boot and MVP winner has been a regular on the USWNT since 2016, but did not crack the roster in 2019.

But since her return from a hamstring tear last season, Williams has left no doubts about her inclusion on the roster this go around. She might be the best player that the USWNT has to take down under at the forward position, having had a hot start to the NWSL season with Gotham FC in which she’s scored five times and taken sole possession of the second-most goals in NWSL history. What’s even more scary for the opposition? Williams told Snacks back in May that she still feels like she’s getting back to being herself on the pitch.

Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe once again will lead the U.S. women’s national team into a World Cup tournament, though the roster revealed Wednesday looks much different than the one from the 2019 title run.

Morgan, Rapinoe and Kelley O’Hara provide a solid veteran foundation, as each of them are set to play in their fourth consecutive World Cup tournament with the USWNT. Alyssa Naeher and Julie Ertz each will be playing in their third World Cup, while Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle all will be playing in their second.

The other 14 members of the 23-player roster will be making their World Cup debuts in Australia and New Zealand. The tournament kicks off on Thursday, July 20, and the USWNT will play its first match at 9 p.m. ET Friday, July 21.

So far in 2023, the USWNT has gone 7-0 in international friendlies. The squad kicked off the year with two resounding wins against World Cup co-host New Zealand, then swept its three games in the SheBelieves Cup and its next two friendlies against Ireland. The squad will play in one more friendly, against Wales on July 9, before departing for the World Cup.

While the USWNT features a number of familiar faces, they will travel to Australia and New Zealand without captain Becky Sauerbrunn, who is sidelined with a foot injury. Rising star Catarina Macario also is unavailable as she continues to recover from an ACL tear.

Still, the U.S. squad remains the favorite to take home its third consecutive World Cup title.

Goalkeepers (3)

  • Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit)
  • Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage)
  • Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

Defenders (7)

  • Alana Cook (OL Reign)
  • Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC)
  • Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage)
  • Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC)
  • Sofia Huerta (OL Reign)
  • Kelley O’Hara (Gotham FC)
  • Emily Sonnett (OL Reign)

Midfielders (7)

  • Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC)
  • Julie Ertz (Angel City FC)
  • Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais)
  • Rose Lavelle (OL Reign)
  • Kristie Mewis (Gotham FC)
  • Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit)
  • Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)

Forwards (6)

  • Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC)
  • Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign)
  • Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit)
  • Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC)
  • Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC)
  • Lynn Williams (Gotham FC)

If one position seemed locked up for the U.S. women’s national team heading into 2023, it was goalkeeper, with Alyssa Naeher and Casey Murphy as the clear one-two punch.

The NWSL season, though, may have created waves in the goalkeeper pool. With a recent run of poor play by some USWNT staples, coach Vlatko Andonovski faces a tough task in evaluating the keepers ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“We’ll look into performances, first and foremost,” Andonovski said in April. “Who does well, who stops the ball going in the net? There’s no question that will be the first thing we’re going to be looking at.”

Naeher has struggled to start the season, albeit behind a porous Chicago Red Stars defense. AD Franch, who has been the third goalkeeper through all of the spring camps, has been benched for the Kansas City Current.

While the USWNT has options beyond Naeher, Murphy and Franch, they have limited – if any – international experience. While roster consistency can be a good thing, it also could limit the options in net for the defending World Cup champions.

Casey Murphy, North Carolina Courage – 14 caps

Casey Murphy’s play for the USWNT in the last year and recent start with the Courage may have solidified her case for the starting spot. Throughout the last year, Murphy has made 12 starts for the USWNT, going 9-2-1 and recording nine shutouts while allowing just five goals. So far this year, she’s started in three games and recorded a clean sheet in each of them.

And that run of form has carried over to her club. Through eight starts for the Courage in the 2023 regular season, Murphy has allowed just nine goals, which is among the lowest in the league. (Only Aubrey Kingsbury is better through eight starts, having allowed just seven goals.) Murphy also leads the league in clean sheets with four and has a 78.1% save percentage.

If there is one player who clearly deserves a World Cup nod for the USWNT, it’s Murphy.

Alyssa Naeher, Chicago Red Stars – 89 caps

Longtime USWNT keeper Alyssa Naeher has had a challenging run of late, allowing 22 goals through eight games in the NWSL regular season, paired with a save percentage of 65.4%.

Her goals against average of 2.75 is tied for the highest in the league, matched only by Franch. No other goalkeeper in the NWSL this season averages more than 2.0 goals against per 90 minutes. She also is one of two NWSL starting goalkeepers who has not recorded a clean sheet this season.

Some of her struggles to start the season can be placed upon the Red Stars organization. The team is in the midst of being sold, and a number of players exited in the offseason. But for the USWNT, her performance is still worrying.

Naeher has proved to be great under pressure throughout her career, which helped her ascend to her starting position for the USWNT. She has provided a steady foundation for USWNT fans everywhere as other areas of the field have been points of concern. After all, she anchored this team to a World Cup in 2019. Even the greatest, though, have their breaking points. Has Naeher reached hers?

AD Franch, Kansas City – 10 caps

AD Franch has had a rough go of it to start the season for the Kansas City Current. She has just five appearances across all competitions in 2023, having been benched in favor of Cassie Miller after coach Matt Potter got fired.

On May 14, she made her first appearance in almost a month — then allowed an own goal. In her most recent match before that one, which came on April 15, she allowed four goals against the Red Stars. She is allowing 2.75 goals per game on average, and her save percentage sits at a league-low 56.5%.

In 2022, she was a finalist for the NWSL’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, which got her back onto the USWNT after an extended break. But even though she has earned call-ups, Andonovski has not played around with his starters, sticking with Naeher and Murphy. So Franch has not played in a match for the USWNT since an October 2021 friendly against South Korea.

Aubrey Kingsbury, Washington Spirit – 1 cap

Washington’s Aubrey Kingsbury has been one of the best goalkeepers to begin the NWSL season. Her save percentage sits at 82.8% and she’s allowed just seven goals through eight appearances, leading to a goals against average of 0.87. She’s also recorded three clean sheets on the season.

Kingsbury is no stranger to big moments. Named 2019 and 2021 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, she helped the Spirit to the 2021 NWSL title. And last year, when the team stumbled, Kingsbury provided a steady hand. She finished 2022 with 6.59 goals prevented, and 0.35 goals prevented per 90 minutes, which ranked second among goalkeepers who started over half of team matches.

While Kingsbury has been called up a number of times since 2019, she has not been called up once this year despite her stellar form. And she has just one appearance in international play to her name, coming last year in the team’s 9-0 blowout win of Uzbekistan, which could hinder her chance at a World Cup roster spot.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce, OL Reign – 0 caps

We’ve said it before at Just Women’s Sports and we’ll say it again: Phallon Tullis-Joyce is worthy of consideration for a USWNT goalkeeper spot.

While Tullis-Joyce was named to the 59-player provisional roster for the Concacaf W championship last year, she hasn’t yet earned a call-up to the USWNT, even though she’s been one of the best goalkeepers in the NWSL through the last two seasons. Last season, she finished as a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year, and this year she’s off to a strong start.

With three clean sheets and just 10 goals allowed through eight games, Tullis-Joyce has been a constant for OL Reign to start the season. And while her save percentage (69.7%) ranks in the middle of the league, she’s on track for another solid season.

The Portland Thorns rallied three times during Saturday’s NWSL rivalry game against the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. By salvaging a 3-3 draw, the Thorns remain undefeated in regular season NWSL competition (3-0-3).

“To find ourselves down three times is probably hard to wrap your head around,” Portland Thorns head coach Mike Norris said post-game. “To get the third one at the end, I’m really happy. I thought we could have pushed for the winner. But still just trying to wrap my head around how we went down three times in the game.”

Competing at home in front of 7,070 fans, North Carolina got on the board just 32 seconds into the game thanks to a cross from Courage defender Ryan Williams that was recorded as an own goal after it deflected off the foot of Portland defender Emily Menges. (A video highlight featuring all six goals is embedded below.)

Portland responded 20 minutes later, with Sophia Smith finding Crystal Dunn open right in front of Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy.

After Kerolin put the Courage up 2-1 just four minutes later, Dunn recorded a brace early in the second half to level the score for a second time. Now with four goals on the season, Dunn is tied for first in the golden boot standings with four other players (Debinha, Ashley Hatch, Alex Morgan, and Sophia Smith).

The Courage responded with a third go-ahead goal, this one from Victoria Pickett. Pickett, who joined North Carolina’s roster just last week via a trade with Gotham FC, reacted to her first home game at WakeMed Soccer Park on Twitter.

“Thanks to all the incredible fans for making it known that #CourageCountry is the place to be,” she wrote. “I love it here.” 

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Moultrie, who subbed in for Thorns captain Christine Sinclair in the 67th minute, recorded the third and final equalizer of the night.

“(Natalia Kuikka) drove in and gave me a great pass and saw the space,” she said. “I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to go for it.'”

“If you look at the impact (Olivia) has had the last two games, it’s impressive by any standard,” added Norris. “As a younger player, she’s pushing and challenging for a start. … Given the impact that she’s had the last two games, I couldn’t really ask any more of any player coming off the bench.”

While Moultrie is no longer the youngest player in the NWSL, it’s easy to forget she’s just 17.

When a reporter pointed this out on Twitter, Moultrie replied: “An old 17 though… 😂”

Saturday’s NWSL matchup was just the latest chapter in the fierce rivalry that has developed between Portland and North Carolina over the years.

“Each team steps into this game knowing it’s going to be a fight,” said Dunn, who played for North Carolina before joining Portland’s roster in 2020.

“Anyone who’s new to the NWSL: Welcome. This is exactly what these games are each week.”

With every week that passes in the NWSL, players on the U.S. women’s national team bubble get a chance to prove their case further for inclusion on the team’s 2023 World Cup roster. USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski has long emphasized the importance of club performance, and players have been responding in the early stages of the 2023 season.

Andonovski himself took in two NWSL matches this past weekend, one in Seattle and one in Portland. The official World Cup roster is expected to be announced in June, and every week is crucial to Andonovski’s final decision-making process.

The games the USWNT head coach saw this weekend featured excellent performances for some and raised question marks for others.

Questions in the back

Not every player penciled onto the current USWNT roster had a weekend to remember as league action resumed. All three of Andonovski’s preferred goalkeepers either suffered losses or did not play in the NWSL’s fourth match day, and a few U.S. defenders also had rough outings.

Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper and longtime USWNT starter Alyssa Naeher conceded five tallies on just five shots on goal in a loss to OL Reign on Saturday. While one strike — a deflected free kick by Megan Rapinoe — was likely outside of the 35-year-old’s grasp, the other four were in the range of being savable. In all, the Reign got on the scoreboard five times on just 1.06 xG, a stat that measures expected goals.

Chicago’s rough day on defense also included USWNT defenders Tierna Davidson and Casey Krueger, who had a hard time settling in within the Red Stars’ high-risk, three-back system. On the other end, Emily Sonnett again played in the Reign’s defensive midfield and struggled to contain Chicago rookie Ally Schlegel on the sequence that led to the Red Stars’ second goal.

Casey Murphy’s North Carolina Courage also suffered a loss, though in a much closer 1-0 scoreline. Gotham FC emerged from a near two-hour rain delay with renewed purpose, and Lynn Williams scored the game-winner in the 80th minute off an endline run and cross by Yazmeen Ryan. Murphy’s goals conceded so far this season have aligned closely with her xG faced, indicating a return to consistency after an up and down 2022. Adrianna Franch did not play in Kansas City’s 2-0 win over the Orlando Pride.

In better news, Andonovski’s preferred defensive starters looked as steady as ever. Naomi Girma had another excellent match for San Diego in a 2-0 win over Angel City, and Becky Sauerbrunn guided the Portland Thorns to another shutout victory.

Raining goals

In several cases, a defender’s bad day made for an attacker’s dream outing, as USWNT hopefuls once again made waves in front of goal. Williams’ strike was her fourth goal across all competitions this season, matching the total output of any other Gotham forward in 2022. The forward’s signing has immediately boosted the club that finished in last place in 2022 and has further solidified Williams’ value on both the domestic and international stage.

Reigning NWSL MVP Sophia Smith also continued her run of strong form, this time connecting on two assists in Portland’s win over Racing Louisville. Smith now has four goals and four assists in as many regular season matches, becoming the first player to reach both marks in just four games. Smith found Christine Sinclair early in the game to put the Thorns ahead, and then doubled her assist tally with a slick pass to Morgan Weaver to put the game out of reach.

OL Reign’s Megan Rapinoe showcased her value this weekend, putting in her longest performance of 2023 with 45 minutes against the Red Stars. As Rapinoe has progressed from an injury into game shape, her accuracy in dead-ball situations and overall influence over a match have grown. The USWNT veteran won a number of key set-piece opportunities against the Chicago backline in the second half, converting one of those chances outside the box into a deflected goal that put the Reign up 4-2.

Important minutes building

For some players, simply spending extensive minutes on the pitch is part of the process. Rapinoe played 15 minutes more on Saturday than in her last game, putting together a full half for the Reign. It was a positive sign for the winger, as she slowly works her way back from a lingering calf injury that had kept her off the field early in 2023.

Another player quietly working her way back to full fitness is Gotham outside back Kelley O’Hara, who played a full 90 minutes this past weekend for the first time in 2023 (albeit with an extensive rain delay). O’Hara hadn’t played a full match since August 2022 while recovering from a hip injury that ended her season early and kept her away from the U.S. until April 2023. O’Hara didn’t play many minutes with the USWNT in her return from injury in April, but her extensive experience combined with stalwart club performances could be just enough to get her on the final roster.

Perhaps the most significant return this weekend was that of Angel City midfielder Julie Ertz, who completed her most extensive performance in almost two years on Sunday. Ertz played in the midfield for 71 minutes, a big jump from the 45 minutes she gave the U.S. on April 11. Ertz looked equally sharp and rusty in her first NWSL match since May 2021, but her fitness shouldn’t be called into question after a durable performance in an end-to-end contest.

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

The 2023 NWSL season kicked off this weekend.

The league itself offers plenty of storylines, from the Portland Thorns’ quest for a repeat championship to Gotham FC’s roster overhaul. But the season also serves as the runway to this summer’s World Cup, for U.S. soccer fans and U.S. women’s national team players alike.

Where do you catch your favorite USWNT stars in the domestic league? Just Women’s Sports offers the breakdown, by player and by NWSL team.

Note: While the USWNT will need to cut its roster to 23 players for the World Cup, more players than that remain in contention for roster spots. These lists include players who have featured on recent USWNT camp rosters and players who are working their way back from injuries.

Where do USWNT stars play in the NWSL?

Goalkeepers

  • Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
  • Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage)
  • A.D. Franch (Kansas City Current)

Defenders

  • Alana Cook (OL Reign)
  • Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars)
  • Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns)
  • Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage)
  • Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave)
  • Sofia Huerta (OL Reign)
  • Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current)
  • Kelley O’Hara (Gotham FC)
  • Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns)
  • Emily Sonnett (OL Reign)

Midfielders

  • Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns)
  • Julie Ertz (Free agent)
  • Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais, Division 1 Féminine)
  • Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave)
  • Rose Lavelle (OL Reign)
  • Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyonnais, Division 1 Féminine)
  • Kristie Mewis (Gotham FC)
  • Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit)
  • Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)

Forwards

  • Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit)
  • Tobin Heath (Free agent)
  • Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave)
  • Christen Press (Angel City FC)
  • Midge Purce (Gotham FC)
  • Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign)
  • Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit)
  • Mallory Pugh Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
  • Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC)
  • Lynn Williams (Gotham FC)

Which NWSL teams feature USWNT players?

Angel City FC

  • Christen Press
  • Alyssa Thompson

Chicago Red Stars

  • Tierna Davidson
  • Alyssa Naeher
  • Mallory Pugh Swanson

Gotham FC

  • Kristie Mewis
  • Kelley O’Hara
  • Midge Purce
  • Lynn Williams

Houston Dash

  • N/A

Kansas City Current

  • A.D. Franch
  • Hailie Mace

North Carolina Courage

  • Emily Fox
  • Casey Murphy

OL Reign

  • Alana Cook
  • Sofia Huerta
  • Rose Lavelle
  • Emily Sonnett
  • Megan Rapinoe

Orlando Pride

  • N/A

Portland Thorns

  • Sam Coffey
  • Crystal Dunn
  • Becky Sauerbrunn

Racing Louisville

  • N/A

San Diego Wave

  • Naomi Girma
  • Taylor Kornieck
  • Alex Morgan

Washington Spirit

  • Ashley Hatch
  • Trinity Rodman
  • Ashley Sanchez
  • Andi Sullivan

Not in NWSL

  • Julie Ertz (Free agent)
  • Tobin Heath (Free agent)
  • Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais, Division 1 Féminine)
  • Catarina Macario (Olympique Lyonnais, Division 1 Féminine)

The NWSL’s first free agency period is underway.

The league established free agency with its new collective bargaining agreement, ratified in February. Despite a rocky start, which included a disagreement between the NWSL and its players association about exactly which players were eligible, the market has heated up ahead of the season opener on March 25.

March 13 — Carson Pickett commits to Racing Louisville

The 29-year-old left back signed a three-year deal with Racing Louisville that runs through the 2025 season, the club announced Monday.

Pickett was traded to Louisville from the North Carolina Courage in January. The deal sent Pickett and Abby Erceg to Racing, while Emily Fox went to the Courage.

“I am beyond excited to be staying in Louisville for three more years,” Pickett said in the news release. “This was the easiest decision for me for so many reasons. Not only are the facilities top-class, but you are also treated like a true professional in every aspect.”

The fourth overall pick in the 2016 NWSL draft, the defender led the league in assists last season with six. She also made her first appearance for the U.S. women’s national team last June, becoming the first player with a limb difference to play for the USWNT.

March 6 — Midge Purce re-signs with Gotham FC

The U.S. women’s national team forward signed a two-year contract to stay with Gotham FC, the club announced Monday. The deal runs through the 2024 season and includes a third-year option for 2025.

“I’m excited to be a part of the vision to build Gotham into one of the greatest clubs in the world,” Purce said.

The 27-year-old joined Gotham in 2020 via a trade with the Portland Thorns. In 2021, she led the team in scoring with nine goals, finishing second in the Golden Boot race. She also was a finalist for NWSL MVP and was named to the league’s Best XI.

Last season, Purce had three goals and three assists.

“This new contract for Midge is another step towards shaping Gotham FC for the present and the future,” Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amorós said. “Midge is an outstanding player with the ability to make the difference in the final third. Her long-term commitment to the club shows that she believes in the project we are building. Midge is a player I am excited to work with and to help continue maximize her full potential.”

Jan. 19 — Pride add another Brazil WNT star in Adriana

The 26-year-old midfielder will join her Brazil teammate Marta in Orlando after signing a three-year deal with the Pride.

Since 2018, Adriana has played in the top Brazilian league with Corinthians, but she will make the leap to the NWSL in the 2023 NWSL season.

“Adriana is an exciting, dynamic and entertaining player with an eye for the goal. She possesses great technical ability and an incredible work rate, and we’re extremely happy to have her as part of the Pride,” Pride coach Seb Hines said.

Known as “the Wizard,” Adriana scored 72 goals in her 143 appearances for Corinthians, and she leaves as the second-leading scorer in club history. She also helped the team to four Brazilian Championship titles.

The Pride also re-signed defender Celia Jiménez Delgado to a two-year deal, and they brought back midfielder Jordyn Listro on a one-year deal.

Jan. 16 — Spirit bring back Sam Staab amid flurry of moves

Washington re-signed the defender to a three-year contract, which will keep her with the club through the 2025 season. Staab played every minute of every regular-season match for the Spirit in 2022.

The Spirit also signed defender Anna Heilferty, midfielder Jordan Baggett and forward Tara McKeown to multi-year deals.

Jan. 13 — Gotham re-signs captain McCall Zerboni

The 36-year-old midfielder signed a one-year deal to remain with Gotham FC, though the deal did not come without controversy.

Gotham FC also re-signed midfielder Delanie Sheehan to a two-year deal.

Jan. 12 — Trades shake up 2023 NWSL draft

Angel City FC orchestrated a blockbuster four-team trade to select Alyssa Thompson with the No. 1 overall pick before the draft even started, and proceedings only got wilder from there.

Gotham FC received USWNT forward Lynn Williams from the Kansas City Current in exchange for the No. 2 overall pick, which the Current used to select Duke forward Michelle Cooper. And the Washington Spirit made many trades, one of which sent USWNT defender Emily Sonnett to OL Reign.

Catch up on all the picks and all the trades from draft night.

Jan. 11 — Megan Rapinoe back for 11th season with OL Reign

The 37-year-old forward re-signed with OL Reign on a one-year deal, the club announced. The signing came exactly 10 years after she first was allocated to the team ahead of the NWSL’s inaugural season in 2013.

Rapinoe is one of 10 players who have appeared in every one of the NWSL’s first 10 seasons. Just five of those players have appeared for the same team every season, and that number includes Rapinoe as well as her teammates Lauren Barnes and Jess Fishlock.

The Seattle club also re-signed Barnes, bringing the defender back on a two-year deal. And midfielder Nikki Stanton will be back as well, as she agreed to a one-year contract.

Jan. 10 — Jaelin Howell signs contract extension with Louisville

After a rookie campaign in which Howell started all 22 of her team’s matches, the 23-year-old midfielder signed a contract extension, adding another year to her original deal and keeping her with Racing Louisville through 2025.

“Racing has treated me super well, and they’ve always invested in me,” Howell told Just Women’s Sports. “I see a lot of great things in the future of the club.”

Racing Louisville also extended the contract of goalkeeper Katie Lund through the 2025 season.

Jan. 9 — NWSL MVP finalist Debinha joins Current

The 2022 NWSL MVP finalist spent her first six seasons in the league with the North Carolina Courage, and she entered the offseason as one of the most sought-after free agents.

Kansas City signed her through the 2024 season, with an option for a third year.

“As a professional athlete, I always want to get better and to be on a competitive team that fights for titles, with excellent professionals,” Debinha said in a statement. “I’m sure it will help me in that goal and Kansas City showed that last season.”

The Current also re-signed defender Alex Loera, securing her through the 2025 season.

Jan. 3 — Casey Murphy re-signs with Courage

The goalkeeper signed a three-year deal to stay with North Carolina, the club announced.

A member of the USWNT since 2021, Murphy joined the Courage that same year. She made 18 starts in 2022, recording six clean sheets and making 58 saves. Her new contract would keep her with the club through 2025.

“I’m thrilled to hit the field again with all the returning players and can’t wait to meet the new talent coming to the Courage this season,” Murphy said in a statement. “I know our commitment to setting the standard and being the best team in the league will bring out the best in all of us…

“This off-season has been by best yet and I am so pumped to help the Courage win a championship in 2023.”

The Courage also re-signed midfielder Brianna Pinto to a three-year deal.

Dec. 23 — Ary Borges inks three-year deal with Racing Louisville

Racing Louisville announced that it had signed the Brazilian international to a three-year deal. As a result, she will be with the club through the 2025 season.

“I am thrilled about this new challenge,” Borges said in a statement. “It will be an honor to represent Racing Louisville FC and play in the NWSL, one of the top leagues in the world. I am ready and very much looking forward to taking on this new opportunity. Go Racing!”

Through three years with Palmeiras, the midfielder scored 37 goals in 87 appearances. She also had 18 goals through 32 appearances en route to helping the club to the 2022 Campeonato Paulista, the 2022 Copa Libertadores and the regular-season shield in the Brasileiro Serie A.

She was also named the Campeonato Paulista’s midfielder of the year.

Dec. 22 — Victoria Pickett signs extension with Gotham

The Gotham FC midfielder signed a three-year contract extension to stay with the club, with a mutual option for a fourth year.

The club acquired Pickett in a trade with the Kansas City Current in August in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick and $200,000 in allocation money. The 26-year-old Canadian was selected 15th overall by the Current in the 2021 draft and was named a Rookie of the Year finalist that season after scoring a goal and adding an assist in over 1,500 minutes across 19 games. She started four of the six games she appeared in with Gotham in 2022.

“The vision and goals of the club align with what I expect out of myself and out of a professional environment, so it was a no-brainer to re-sign with Gotham,” Pickett said in a statement.

Dec. 21 — Marta inks two-year deal with Pride

The Brazilian star will remain in Orlando after signing a two-year deal that runs through the 2024 season. The 36-year-old forward has played with the Pride since 2017.

Her 2022 season ended before it began, as she tore her ACL during the preseason Challenge Cup tournament.

“I’m very excited for the future we are building for the Pride and can’t wait to return to the field next year, play alongside my teammates, and fight for a championship for our fans,” Marta said in a statement.

Dec. 19 — Hailie Mace re-signs with Current

The USWNT defender signed a new three-year contract with the club, which will keep her in Kansas City through the 2025 season.

Mace came to the Current via trade from the North Carolina Courage during the 2021 season. She has five goals and 22 shots on goal in her 31 appearances for Kansas City, and she helped lead the team to the NWSL championship match in 2022.

“After this last season in Kansas City, it was a no-brainer to want to sign on for three more,” Mace said.

The Current also re-signed defender Kate Del Fava to a deal that will keep her in Kansas City through the 2024 season.

Dec. 19 — Amber Brooks stays with Spirit

The 31-year-old defender re-signed with Washington on a one-year deal.

In her first season with the team, she made 16 appearances — and made waves when she flipped two birds after she took issue with a call from an official.

Dec. 12 — Tatumn Milazzo signs extension with Chicago

The 24-year-old defender agreed to an extension with the Red Stars through the 2024 season. The deal also includes a one-year option for the 2025 season.

“To play for my hometown, in front of my friends and family, has always been a dream,” Milazzo said. “I love this city and I’m so hopeful for the future of this organization.”

She played in every match — preseason, regular season and postseason — for the Red Stars, and she led all defenders in clearances (103) and interceptions (58).

Dec. 8 — Washington brings back co-captain Tori Huster

Huster, who serves as president of the NWSLPA, signed a one-year deal with the Spirit. She has played for the club since the NWSL’s inaugural season in 2013.

A torn Achilles tendon kept her off the pitch in 2022.

“Tori is incredibly important to the Washington Spirit club and re-signing her was a top offseason priority,” Spirit president Mark Krikorian said.

Washington also re-signed defender Camryn Biegalski and midfielder Marissa Sheva and signed defender Gabrielle Carle to a two-year contract.

Dec. 7 — Current add two former Red Stars

Morgan Gautrat and Vanessa DiBernardo, both of whom had said they would not return to Chicago, have found their landing spot: Kansas City.

Each midfielder signed a two-year deal with the Current, making them the team’s first free agent signings under the new CBA.

“Morgan and Vanessa are two of the world’s best soccer players and we couldn’t be happier they chose the Kansas City Current,” general manager Camille Levin Ashton said.

Dec. 1 — Kristen Edmonds becomes latest Gotham addition

The defender from New Jersey is headed home. She signed a two-year contract with Gotham FC after spending the last two seasons with the Kansas City Current.

“I’ve worked really hard for a long time and I’ve fought for this dream with a lot of passion all over the world and this country,” the 35-year-old said. “It all started in New Jersey, and to come full circle with my family in the stands for all of our home games is something super special to me.”

Edmonds started 44 games across the last two seasons for the Current, including all three playoff matches on the team’s run to the NWSL championship match in 2022.

Dec. 1 — Morgan Gautrat, two more will not re-sign with Chicago

Free agents Morgan Gautrat, Danielle Colaprico and Rachel Hill have told the Chicago Red Stars that they do not plan to re-sign with the club.

Gautrat won the World Cup as part of the USWNT in 2015 and 2019. The 29-year-old midfielder joined the Red Stars via trade from the Houston Dash in 2017.

Colaprico has played with the club for her entire NWSL career since being selected by Chicago in the 2015 NWSL draft. Hill started her career with the Orlando Pride but was dealt to Chicago in 2020.

Nov. 28 — Gotham FC brings in goalkeeper Abby Smith

Gotham FC signed the former Thorns goalkeeper to a three-year contract. The move comes after Ashlyn Harris announced her retirement from soccer earlier this month, which left the club with an opening in net.

“I feel so fortunate to be amongst the first class of athletes in the NWSL to benefit from the new CBA’s free agency policy,” Smith said in a news release. “Gotham FC made their feelings known immediately and I was so impressed by their support and professionalism throughout the entire process.”

The 29-year-old has played for the Boston Breakers, the Utah Royals, the Kansas City Current and the Portland Thorns. She played in just one match as the backup goalkeeper for the NWSL title-winning Thorns in the 2022 season.

Smith joins Michelle Betos and 2022 draft pick Hensley Hancuff as the goalkeepers on Gotham FC’s roster.

Nov. 18 — San Diego exercises 2023 option for Makenzy Doniak

Doniak and the Wave exercised a mutual option that will keep the forward in San Diego for the 2023 season.

In the 2022 season, Doniak played in 18 matches and contributed three goals and two assists for the expansion club.

Nov. 17 — Wave re-sign Kaleigh Riehl to two-year deal

The 26-year-old defender will stay with San Diego through the 2024 season after signing a new two-year contract. She started 19 of 22 regular-season games for the club this season.

“Kaleigh Riehl has been an outstanding player for us this year, stepped in in incredible circumstances and performed really well and is very, very worthy of a new contract,” coach Casey Stoney said.

Nov. 15 — Kelley O’Hara signs with Gotham FC

Nov. 15 marked the first day that free agents were eligible to sign with new teams rather than their current teams, and Kelley O’Hara kicked off the era with a splash as she joined Gotham FC on a multi-year deal, she announced at an event hosted by the “Men in Blazers” podcast in New York City.

While the club proceeded to post about O’Hara’s announcement on its social media accounts, it had not issued a formal announcement of O’Hara’s signing as of Nov. 22.

O’Hara played with the Washington Spirit in the 2021 and 2022 seasons and won the NWSL title with the club in 2021.

Nov. 15 — Ally Watt re-signs with Orlando Pride

The forward signed a two-year contract extension that will keep her in Orlando through the 2024 season, the team announced Tuesday. She joined the club via trade from the OL Reign in August.

Nov. 15 — Cece Kizer inks new deal with hometown Current

The Current re-signed Kizer to a two-year deal through the 2024 season.

The 25-year-old from outside Kansas City joined the club via trade in June 2022. She started in 14 of 15 matches through the rest of the season, setting a club record with seven non-penalty goals in that span, and helped the team to a runner-up finish in hte NWSL playoffs.

“She was a big part of this club’s success after coming over in June and we look forward to her helping to lead this team in the future,” general manager Camille Levin Ashton said.

Nov. 15 — Morgan Weaver stays with Thorns through 2024

The 25-year-old forward signed a two-year contract with Portland, which includes an an option for the 2025 season.

She had seven goals in 20 appearances for the Thorns in the 2022 regular season, and she helped the team to its third NWSL title.

Nov. 15 — Red Stars re-sign Yuki Nagasato, Arin Wright

The Chicago club brought back Nagasato on a one-year contract with a one-year option. She played for the team from 2017-20, then spent one season with Racing Louisville in 2021 before returning to the Red Stars.

The team also re-signed Wright to a two-year contract. The defender has played for Chicago since she was drafted in 2015.

Nov. 10 — Sam Coffey signs extension with Portland

The Rookie of the Year finalist has signed a contract extension with the reigning NWSL champions through the 2025 season.

The 23-year-old midfielder, who also plays with the USWNT, made 18 starts for the Thorns in 2022. She led the league with 70 successful long passes and tied for fifth with 35 chances created.

“Her ability to lead from the back, to always be available, to manipulate the opposition and create spaces for her herself and her teammates is impressive to see from someone so new to the professional game,” Thorns coach Rhian Wilkinson said.

Two days earlier, Portland re-signed midfielder Rocky Rodriguez through the 2025 season.

Rodriguez will be entering her eighth season in the league in 2023 and her fourth with the Thorns. She recorded her first career postseason goal in the team’s NWSL semifinal win against the San Diego Wave to help propel Portland to the title.

Nov. 8 — OL Reign re-signs defender Sam Hiatt

The 24-year-old defender has signed a two-year deal with the Seattle-based club. She joined the team as the No. 33 overall pick in the 2020 NWSL draft.

Since she was drafted, she has started in all 28 of OL Reign’s regular-season games, and she has recorded 29 blocks and 117 clearances.

Nov. 3 — Mandy Freeman commits to Gotham FC through 2024

The 27-year-old defender signed a two-year contract extension with the New York City-area club.

She has spent her entire career with the franchise since being selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 draft. In that time, she has made 80 appearances and recorded 258 clearances, 56 blocks, and 109 interceptions.

“In my six seasons with this club, I have seen the growth and believe in the potential for us to be great,” Freeman said in a news release.

Nov. 2 — Christine Sinclair returns to Thorns for 2023

Sinclair is returning to the NWSL champion Portland Thorns on a one-year contract, making 2023 her 11th season in the league, all with the Thorns.

She made the announcement during the Thorns’ championship parade. She wants “to win a fourth one of those,” she said, pointing to the NWSL trophy.

Oct. 28 — Quinn re-signs with OL Reign through 2024

The 27-year-old midfielder will stick with the Seattle club for two more seasons. They first joined OL Reign during the 2019 season.

Quinn has started in 26 of the 35 games they have played for the club in the regular season. They had 17 appearances in the 2022 season.

“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to continue playing for OL Reign,” they said. “We have a really good culture and team environment here at this club, so I’m excited to keep it going.”

Oct. 26 — Haley Hanson re-signs with Orlando Pride

The defender will remain with the Pride through the 2024 season.

She joined the Pride via trade from the Houston Dash during the 2022 campaign. She made four starts and six appearances for the Pride after the trade.

“We are thrilled to be able to extend Haley’s time in Orlando,” Pride general manager Ian Fleming said in a statement. “Haley has embedded herself quickly and seamlessly into a new group of teammates and tactical system of play, and did so while exhibiting a work ethic and professional attitude that we want to be the standard at our club.”

Oct. 25 — Ifeoma Onumonu inks three-year deal with Gotham FC

The 28-year-old forward elected to stay with Gotham FC, signing a new three-year contract that will keep her with the the club through the 2025 season.

Onumonu was traded to the New York area franchise ahead of 2020 season, and she has appeared in 61 matches for the team since then, with 14 goals and nine assists in that span.

“It’s been a journey already with this club and I’m looking forward to many more years competing to be the best team in the NWSL,” she said in the news release announcing her signing.

Gotham FC finished in last place in the NWSL in the 2022 season, but the club already has been aggressive in its roster moves as it embarks on another rebuild.

Before joining Gotham FC, Onumonu played for the Boston Breakers, the Portland Thorns and OL Reign. The American-born player also plays for the Nigeria women’s national team.

The club also re-signed Taylor Smith to a three-year contract. Smith made 14 appearances (and 13 starts) for Gotham in 2022 after she was acquired off waivers in June.

Oct. 20 — Allysha Chapman, Sophie Schmidt extend contracts with Houston Dash

Schmidt, a midfielder, signed a two-year extension, while Chapman, a defender, signed a one-year extension. Both contracts also include option years, per the club news release announcing the signings.

Both players also have been mainstays for the Canada women’s national team.

It’s the end of the calendar year for the U.S. women’s national team, with 2022 performances all wrapped up in a bow. Naturally, that also means it’s time for end-of-year report cards to evaluate how each player did in the run-up to the 2023 World Cup.

First, a quick set of criteria: Despite the team’s first three-game losing streak in decades, the U.S. lost only three games total in 2022. A failing grade would indicate a player is wildly unprepared for the game at this level, which is not something we saw from the group playing the lion’s share of minutes this year. Likewise, an A+ indicates a player with all-star, team-on-their-back, best-in-the-world status.

Throughout this series, which will grade players by position, I’m going to avoid those who didn’t get minutes in 2022 and those who have missed significant time due to injury.

Today, let’s take a look at the goalkeeping pool.

Alyssa Naeher – B+

Naeher started all eight matches she played in 2022, conceding only four goals over the course of the year. After returning from a hyper-extension in her knee that kept her sidelined for the USWNT’s post-Olympics stretch in 2021, she looked especially sharp coming off her line. Her kick-save in the final match of the year against Germany, which was essentially a must-win game, swung momentum back in favor of the U.S. and spurred their 2-1 comeback victory.

Naeher is 34 and appears to have her successor developing closely behind her. But in the minutes she did get in 2022, she gave no clear reason to think that now is the time to shake up the USWNT’s hierarchy at the top. Naeher’s wealth of experience in big moments has led to discipline and calm control of a rotating defense in front of her, and she’s still the keeper I’d call upon in a high-profile matchup.

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Casey Murphy received plenty of opportunities this year to steal the top goalkeeper spot. (Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)

Casey Murphy – B

When evaluating a new USWNT goalkeeper, it can be important sometimes to grade on a curve. The point of getting Casey Murphy as many minutes as possible in 2022 was to prepare her for 2023 should she find herself in the same situation as AD Franch at last year’s Olympics, when Naeher hurt her knee and Franch was thrust into the lineup. Murphy’s caps jumped from four to 12 in 2022, and the USWNT newcomer did show some nerves in high-pressure moments.

The 26-year-old clearly has the mechanics to be a great USWNT goalkeeper, but hesitation at the back stopped her from becoming the team’s obvious No. 1 when presented with the opportunity. Murphy played very well against Australia last December but looked less comfortable in Concacaf W competition, including the team’s semifinal against Costa Rica. She actually played her best game of the year in the USWNT’s loss to Germany in November, perhaps setting the stage for steps forward in 2023.

Aubrey Kingsbury – B-

Kingsbury performed perfectly well in her first and only USWNT cap of the year, a 9-0 blowout win over Uzbekistan. But her inability to break into the team’s current two-player rotation makes her spot on the 2023 World Cup roster far from a guarantee. Kingsbury is one of the best American goalkeepers in the NWSL, but her consistent call-ups came in the wake of the Washington Spirit’s championship win in 2021.

In 2022, Washington struggled and Kingsbury eventually found herself on the outside looking in of the USWNT as AD Franch made her return to camp at the end of the year. Franch herself never saw the field for the USWNT this year, but the choices made in January camp will indicate where Kingsbury currently stands on the depth chart and whether she needs different results in the NWSL to move back up.

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AD Franch had a standout NWSL season for Kansas City in 2022. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Adrianna Franch – Incomplete

I’m already breaking my own rules here, but Franch deserves a mention because she probably should have had USWNT minutes in 2022. Franch held her own in the midst of a difficult situation at the Tokyo Olympics, and she certainly was not the reason Canada advanced over the U.S. and to the gold-medal match off a penalty. She led her NWSL club, the Kansas City Current, all the way to the 2022 Championship and received a USWNT call-up in November. Naeher and Murphy split the two games, leaving Franch without an opportunity to prove herself.

It’s possible that Franch has played herself back into the conversation for the USWNT’s third goalkeeper spot, but she should also be in consideration for on-field time. As a pure shot-stopper, Franch continues to excel above the competition.

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

The U.S. women’s national team exited the Concacaf W Championship group stage with a clean sheet through three victories but plenty of questions.

USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski used the team’s three group-stage matches in the World Cup qualifying tournament to maximize rotation and player looks. With the knockout stages ahead, roster speculation is running rampant, with certain players making their case while others still have more to prove.

The USWNT will take the pitch again at 7 p.m. ET Thursday for a semifinal match against Costa Rica.

Goalkeeper

The starting goalkeeper role appears to be up for grabs, with the race down to veteran Alyssa Naeher and up-and-comer Casey Murphy.

Murphy got the starting nod against Mexico after Naeher played in the USWNT’s Jamaica matchup, adding to speculation about who holds the USWNT’s starting goalkeeper position. Andonovski has said he wants to give Murphy experience — she also started the opener against Haiti — as the coaching staff is well aware of what Naeher can do.

The race for starting goalie will likely come down to Naeher’s experience and proven success at big tournaments versus Murphy’s upside and potential.

Defense

Andonovski has yet to settle on a core defensive unit, but certain players have made their cases for places in the starting lineup.

Emily Fox looks to have locked up her place as the starting left back. Though the Racing Louisville defender missed the team’s last group-stage matchup against Mexico due to COVID-19 protocol, Fox’s starting spot doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy. Andonovski has spoken about Fox’s impressive one-on-one defensive capabilities and ability to spark the USWNT’s attack from the flanks.

On the other side of the pitch, Kelley O’Hara and Sofia Huerta are the final two players in contention for the right-back role. Following the group stage’s trio of games, O’Hara seems to have upped her stock with a goal and a series of solid performances. Huerta, however, has shown her ability to make plays from the flanks, launching quality services into the box.

The center-back duo of Alana Cook and Becky Sauerbrunn looked to be Andonovski’s starting pick ahead of the Concacaf W Championship, but a breakout performance from Naomi Girma may have complicated that choice. The San Diego Wave defender hasn’t put a foot wrong this tournament, shutting down opponents’ attack while distributing quality balls up the pitch.

Midfield

The midfield is the area of the roster with the most questions. After Julie Ertz’s injury and maternity leave, the USWNT has struggled to fill the defensive midfield position. Andi Sullivan is the apparent heir to Ertz, but has yet to find her footing during Concacaf competition as she comes back after a season plagued by injury. Andonovski has toyed with playing Lindsey Horan and Kristie Mewis in the No. 6 position, but neither looks to be a natural fit, as both are attacking-minded players.

Sam Coffey, midfielder for the Portland Thorns, has been called into Concacaf after forward Ashley Hatch suffered a tournament-ending injury, perhaps acknowledging the lack of depth in the defensive midfield position.

Rose Lavelle and Ashley Sanchez have proved their ability to inject creativity into the USWNT’s attack, with the duo overloading and exposing opponents’ defenses when on the pitch together. Depending on the opponent, and their defensive lift, Sanchez may be able to sneak into the starting lineup in the future.

For now, however, Andonovski appears to be committed to a Sullivan, Lavelle and Horan midfield.

Attack

The USWNT’s attack is the deepest point on the team’s roster, but the starting lineup is essentially locked in. Andonovski has made it clear Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh are his two starting wingers, while Alex Morgan has earned her No. 9 spot with a stellar season for club and country.

Hatch got quality minutes before exiting Concacaf early with an injury but failed to make her case as the starting No. 9, especially when put next to an in-form Morgan.

Margaret Purce has also dazzled in Mexico, perhaps solidifying her place as the second-in-line on the right flank. Trinity Rodman, the NWSL Rookie of the Year, hasn’t seen too many minutes in Mexico, making Megan Rapinoe the apparent relief winger on the left side of the pitch.

A competition for the starting goalkeeper spot appears to be brewing on the U.S. women’s national soccer team.

Casey Murphy, keeper for the NWSL’s North Carolina Courage, got the starting nod in the Concacaf W Championship opener against Haiti, while veteran USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was in net for the team’s Thursday match against Jamaica.

The rotation in goal led to much speculation about who owns the starting goalkeeper spot for the USWNT and who will start in the squad’s final Group A game against Mexico at 10 p.m. ET Monday.

USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski declined to name a starter for the Mexico match when asked about Naeher and Murphy following Thursday’s game against Jamaica.

Who will get the start against Mexico?

Case for Alyssa Naeher:

Naeher is an experienced goalkeeper with 81 USWNT caps and two World Cup titles to her name. The 34-year-old spent much of her national team career quietly making a name for herself as a backup to Hope Solo. Before 2015, Naeher had just one international appearance with the United States, and Solo played every minute of the 2015 World Cup run.

The 2019 World Cup served as Naeher’s breakout tournament on the world stage, with the Red Stars keeper owning the starting spot ahead of the team’s trip to France. Naeher quieted any speculation about her readiness for the bright lights of a World Cup, coming up clutch multiple times to help the USWNT clinch the championship.

Naeher again proved her poise in big moments in the Tokyo Olympics, saving three penalty kicks to seal a quarterfinal final win against the Netherlands and advance to the semifinals against Canada. The star goalkeeper’s Olympic run, however, ended in heartbreak, as she injured her knee in the team’s 1-0 semifinal loss to Canada.

Returning to the pitch in January after rehabilitation, Naeher is looking to solidify her starting spot again.

For Andonovski, Naeher offers a proven ability to make stops in high-stress situations and a veteran presence in the back. Naeher is a known quantity with the confidence to communicate with the backline.

Case for Casey Murphy:

Murphy exploded onto the scene in November with a magnificent USWNT debut, notching eight saves during the squad’s friendly against Australia.

The Courage star denied Sam Kerr multiple times, including with a stunning fingertip stop to clinch a clean sheet. The last player to log a shutout in their debut was Naeher in 2014.

At 26 years old, Murphy has tremendous upside that may be hard for Andonovski to ignore. She may not have the international experience Naeher does, but she has shown her ability to make difficult world-class-level saves.

Standing at 6-foot-1, four inches taller than the 5-foot-9 Naeher, her towering height in goal doesn’t hurt either.

The USWNT will finish their Group A play against Mexico at 10 p.m. ET Monday on Paramount+.