Wambach, Engen Named to 24-Player Squad to Face France and England
January 30, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
CHICAGO ( Friday, January 30, 2015 ) - Western New York Flash forward Abby Wambach and defender Whitney Engen have been named to the U.S. Women's National Team's 24-player roster that will face France and England in February.
The USWNT will embark on a 13-day trip to Europe that will feature matches against France on Feb. 8 in Lorient (12 p.m. ET on ESPN2) and against England on Feb. 13 in Milton Keynes (3 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1).
Wambach will be entering her third season playing in Rochester, while Engen rejoins the Flash organization after being acquired via trade this offseason. Engen was a member of the Flash's 2011 WPS Championships winning team.
The USA has not played in France since 1995 when it was also preparing for a World Cup and played matches against Italy, Canada and France over a span of five days. The USA last played a friendly match in England on April 2, 2011, falling to England, 2-1. The USA played four of its six 2012 Olympic matches in England with the first two being played in Glasgow, Scotland.
Both France and England went unbeaten in their UEFA Women's World Cup qualifying groups. France compiled a 10-0-0 record while scoring 54 goals and allowing just three. England also went 10-0-0, while netting 52 goals against just one allowed. France is currently ranked third in the world and England is sixth.
U.S. Women's National Team Roster By Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City), Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers)
DEFENDERS (9): 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), 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), Tori Huster (Washington Spirit), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City)
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)
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from January 30, 2015
- Boston Breakers keeper Alyssa Naeher named to U.S. Women's National Team roster - Boston Breakers
- Morgan, Heath, Van Hollebeke Named to U.S. Women's National Team - Portland Thorns FC
- Three Houston Dash Players Called up for U.S. WNT Duty - Houston Dash
- Wambach, Engen Named to 24-Player Squad to Face France and England - Western New York Flash
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