USWNT Olympic roster projection 1.0: Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith to guide assault

Not many individuals ever get a shot at Olympic glory, and this yr simply 18 United States girls’s nationwide crew abilities will get the chance to take residence gold in Paris. However who will they be? In the end, choosing 18 gamers for an Olympic roster simply acquired harder for interim supervisor Twila Kilgore and incoming boss Emma Hayes, however that does not imply a ultimate roster is not beginning to take form.

The USWNT are flying excessive after their 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup run, profitable the competitors with a 1-0 win over Brazil. A 23-player roster was chosen for the Gold Cup match and handled damage and a gaggle loss in opposition to Mexico however triumphed by way of knockouts to win the inaugural cup. Mix that with quite a few gamers in spectacular type, and difficult choices are going to need to be made.   

Wanting forward, the Olympic draw will happen Wednesday and USA have been positioned in Pot 1 alongside hosts France and World Cup winners Spain. Per competitors guidelines, USA will likely be unable to play in opposition to fellow Concacaf crew Canada within the preliminary section, and Pot 2 leaders Germany can not play in opposition to different UEFA sides, organising at the least one match-up of their eventual group. 

As issues warmth up, this is our first projection on who’s heading to the Olympics forward of the draw:

USWNT 2024 Olympic Roster 1.0

Goalkeepers (2): Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy

On the bubble: Jane Campbell, Aubrey Kingsbury, Katie Lind

Naeher is in excellent type in the intervening time. She supplied a legendary efficiency throughout the Gold Cup semifinals in opposition to Canada, making three saves and changing a purpose throughout a penalty shootout, and she or he has carried that momentum into the NWSL common season. Murphy earned a Gold Cup begin and a win throughout the NWSL opening weekend with the North Carolina Braveness. 

Jane Campbell and Aubrey Kingsbury, each former NWSL Goalkeeper of the Yr recipients, have been a part of the USWNT goalkeeper pool for a while and are firmly on the bubble for the Olympics this yr. Every might compete for an alternate spot.

Defenders (6) Crystal Dunn, Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger

On the bubble: Sofia Huerta, Abby Dahlkemper, Alana Prepare dinner, Becky Sauerbrunn, M.A. Vignola, Sam Staab, Sarah Gorden

There is not any denying Davidson is absolutely again. She performed practically each recreation on a last-place Chicago Crimson Stars crew final season as she returned from an ACL damage, and Davidson reintroduced herself throughout the Gold Cup. She and Girma have a transparent understanding of their roles, and extra time collectively will solely make them a lockdown duo. 

Crystal Dunn has been a staple within the exterior again place and had a standout efficiency throughout the Gold Cup ultimate. Her veteran management will likely be an asset throughout the Olympics alongside fellow fullbacks Emily Fox and Jenna Nighswonger. Casey Krueger will get the nod with prior Olympic expertise and her functionality to shift alongside the backline.

Huerta, Dahlkemper, Prepare dinner, and Sauerbrunn have all been a part of earlier World Cup rosters. Sauerbrunn got here into Gold Cup as a substitute for Prepare dinner and each are on the skin wanting in the intervening time. 

Vignola was in USWNT camps previous to 2024 and if she and Gorden proceed to place in sturdy performances for Angel Metropolis FC, they will be in rivalry. Staab was traded from Washington Spirit to the Crimson Stars within the offseason and is already exhibiting she’s a prime heart again irrespective of the system she’s put in.

Midfielders (5): Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey

On the bubble: Andi Sullivan, Savannah DeMelo, Ashley Sanchez, Olivia Moultrie, Kristie Mewis

Sonnett has elevated her midfielder profile since 2023 and her means to shift into a middle again position solely makes her extra of an asset. Coffey’s Gold Cup performances alongside a budding partnership with Albert additionally helped out Horan’s positioning on the pitch. Lavelle retains benefiting from her minutes when she will get them and can stay a characteristic within the midfield so long as she’s wholesome.

Coffey’s rise in type may sign Sullivan’s want for sturdy NWSL performances to get again within the combine. The identical may be stated for DeMelo and Sanchez with a breakout Gold Cup by Moultrie and Albert. Mewis hasn’t been in nationwide crew camps because the World Cup, and her restricted minutes with West Ham United imply her possibilities to crack the Olympic roster are getting slim.

Forwards (5): Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson

On the bubble: Catarina Macario, Ashley Hatch, Alyssa Thompson, Midge Purce, Lynn Williams

Morgan was referred to as into the Gold Cup roster as a substitute participant after Mia Fishel sustained an ACL damage. She made the a lot of the alternative and is in sturdy type for membership and nation as soon as once more. Morgan’s chemistry with Rodman and her Wave FC teammate Shaw will solely enhance every of their probabilities of cracking the roster collectively. Shaw was named the very best participant of the Gold Cup and appears unstoppable in the intervening time. 

Swanson and Smith had been as soon as the duo the roster was being constructed round forward of the World Cup. Swanson is again from her patellar tendon damage and exhibiting how she’s a harmful asset within the ultimate third. Smith is coming off a powerful Gold Cup semifinal efficiency and two targets within the Thorns regular-season opener. Here is hoping the duo get time collectively throughout SheBelieves Cup.

Hatch continues to be an choice so long as there is no such thing as a definitive No. 9 for the squad. Thompson missed out on the Gold Cup with a slight damage however is again in time for membership play however has a number of attackers forward of her in the intervening time. 

We’re all thrilled Macario is again from her ACL damage and she or he’s scored off the bench in her two appearances for Chelsea. If she’s even good for only a half on the Olympics and nonetheless scoring, she’ll crack the roster. There may solely be room for one NJ/NY Gotham FC attacker, and it is between Williams and Purce, which highlights the agony of choosing quick Olympic roster occasions. 

Alternates: Aubrey Kingsbury, Andi Sullivan, Olivia Moultrie, Lynn Williams

The hardest position for the Olympics is an alternate however these 4 gamers provide a number of the finest in means of their respective positions and are precisely who you need in coaching throughout the match.