November 20, 2023 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – San Diego Wave FC News Release
U.S. Women’s National Team interim head coach Twila Kilgore has named a 26-player training camp roster for the two December home friendly matches against China PR that will close out the USA’s 2023 schedule.
The USA will face the Steel Roses on Dec. 2 at DRV PNK Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (3 p.m. ET on TNT, Telemundo, Universo, Max and Peacock) and on Dec. 5 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas (7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET on TruTV, Universo, Max and Peacock).
The USWNT heads into the two matches against China PR with a record of 12W-4D-0L in 2023 and will be looking to remain unbeaten in regulation time during this calendar year.
China PR is the second-most common opponent in U.S. history (after Canada) and these games will mark the 59thand 60th meetings between the longtime foes. While the USA and China used to meet quite often, sometimes multiple times a year, these will be the first matches between the countries since the summer of 2018.
“As we move forward with the next steps, we need more opportunities to see players from our pool in our unique National Team environment, in both training and games, so we can evaluate if and how they might contribute moving forward to the Olympics,” said Kilgore, who chose the roster as part of the overall strategy and plan that U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker has put together with Kilgore and Emma Hayes, the newly named USWNT head coach who will officially join the USWNT in May after the conclusion of the season with her current club, Chelsea. “We value these players who have recently been in camps or played in World Cup and were not chosen for this roster, and they are of course still a part of our pool, but we know what they bring on and off the field. At the same time, we also need to continue to evaluate and bring along players in the right ways to give the team the best chance for success.”
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals) – December Friendlies vs. China PR
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 7), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 16)
DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 29/1), Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC; 79/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 50/1), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 37/1), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 24/0), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars; 41/0), M.A. Vignola (Angel City FC; 1/0)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Korbin…