January 5, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Racing Louisville FC News Release
Racing Louisville FC defender Emily Fox
(Racing Louisville FC, Credit: Connor Cunningham)
Picking up where she left off last year, Racing Louisville FC defender Emily Fox has been called up to the United States Women’s National Team for its first friendlies of the year against 2023 World Cup co-host New Zealand.
USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski on Thursday listed Fox among the 24 players who will report to camp ahead of games at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in Wellington, New Zealand, and 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, in Auckland, New Zealand. Those matches will air on HBO Max.
Fox, 24, was named to every USWNT roster in 2022, establishing herself as the primary left back for the Stars and Stripes. The Ashburn, Virginia, native, selected first overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft, has made 22 appearances for the national team, making one assist. She started each of the 23 games she appeared in for Racing this past season, tallying a goal and an assist and finishing sixth in the NWSL in possessions won and fifth in recoveries.
“We’ve been thinking about and planning for the World Cup for a long time, but when the calendar turns to the World Cup year, for sure it brings some renewed focus and energy as the tournament starts in less than 200 days,” said Andonovski. “To get to bring the team to New Zealand in January and play in our World Cup venues has so many benefits so we are going to make sure we maximize our time together, make this trip as productive as possible and enjoy a unique experience as many of our players have never been to New Zealand before.”
The United States ended its 2022 competition with a comeback win over Germany. The result helped the USWNT avoid a four-match skid after losing to England, Germany and Spain in October.
New Zealand wrapped up 2022 with a loss and a draw to South Korea. Notably, the Ferns are captained by NWSL veteran Ali Riley.
Both the United States and New Zealand have qualified for the 2023 World Cup – the United States through the Concacaf W Championship and New Zealand as co-host with Australia.
The U.S. drew into Group E with Vietnam and the Netherlands along with the winner of the playoff between Cameroon, Thailand and Portugal. New Zealand leads off Group A with Norway, Philippines and Switzerland.
The World Cup runs from July 20-Aug. 20..
U.S. Women’s National Team roster by position (club)
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