U.S. Women’s National Team Algarve Cup roster features 25 US Youth Soccer alums

FRISCO, Texas (Feb. 26, 2015) — All 25 players U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis named to the roster for the 2015 Algarve Cup have ties to US Youth Soccer, including 24 who are US Youth Soccer ODP alumni and several players who participated in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.

The 23 players who will represent the United States in the Algarve Cup, which runs March 4-11, will be announced prior to the competition. This year’s Algarve Cup serves as an important precursor to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and many of the players on the team in March are expected to travel to Canada in June and July when the U.S. Women’s National Team competes for its third World Cup title.

The roster features 24 players who developed their skills as members of US Youth Soccer ODP, the nation's original player identification program that has continued its tradition of elite competition and player development for more than 30 years. Among the 24 US Youth Soccer ODP alumnae is Abby Wambach, who enters the Algarve Cup as the United States’ leading scorer in the tournament with 21 goals.

Well over half of the players on the Algarve Cup roster helped their club teams to success in the US Youth Soccer National Championships Series, with several advancing to the Regional and National Championships. Forwards Amy Rodriguez (Laguna Hills Eclipse) and Christen Press (Slammers FC) each helped their teams win two US Youth Soccer National Championships during standout youth soccer careers.

Morgan Brian, the youngest player on the U.S. roster, participated in several US Youth Soccer programs, including the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, US Youth Soccer ODP and the US Youth Soccer National League. Brian’s Under-19 Clay County Soccer Club (FL) side won the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championship.

The U.S. opens the Algarve Cup on at 2 p.m. ET on March 4 against Norway. It then takes on Switzerland at noon ET on March 6 before finishing group play at 1:30 ET on March 9 against Iceland. The first two U.S. matches will be shown live on FOX Sports 1, along with its placement match on March 11.

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USWNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)

DEFENDERS (10): Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

FORWARDS (5): Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach (Western NY Flash)