January 5, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – Kansas City Current News Release
KANSAS CITY – Kansas City Current goalkeeper Adrianna ‘AD’ Franch, defender Hailie Mace and forward Lynn Williams have all been called up to the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) 24-player roster for the January BioSteel Training Camp and trip to New Zealand by head coach Vlatko Andonovski. The USWNT will also play two matches against the Football Ferns, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts.
The USWNT will train in New Zealand for six days before facing the Ferns at Sky Stadium (which Wellington Regional Stadium during the World Cup) in Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara. The match will kick off at 4 p.m. local time on January 18, which will be 9 p.m. CT on January 17 in the United States. The teams meet again on January 21 at Eden Park in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, also at 4 p.m. local, which will be 9 p.m. CT on January 20 in the USA. Tickets for both matches are on sale through New Zealand Football.
TNT and HBO Max will be the exclusive English-language home for live U.S. Soccer coverage starting in 2023. Both matches from New Zealand will be available on HBO Max.
Williams will be one of two players returning to this first U.S. roster of the year, along with defender Emily Sonnett, after recovering from long-term injuries, but the USA will be without forwards Sophia Smith (foot) and Megan Rapinoe (ankle). Williams (47 caps/14 goals), who had hamstring surgery that kept her out for the entire 2022 NWSL season, last played for the USA on February 23 at the 2022 SheBelieves Cup. Sonnett, who has 69 caps, last played for the USA in the semifinal of the Concacaf W Championship on July 14 against Costa Rica, a match in which she scored her first international goal.
“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.”
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals) – January BioSteel Training Camp NZL:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Adrianna ‘AD’ Franch (Kansas City Current; 10),…
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