Defender Christen Westphal, U.S. U-23 WNT to Travel to Croatia for Istria Cup

Published on February 17, 2016 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Boston Breakers News Release


Boston's top pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, Christen Westphal, has been named to the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team that will travel to Croatia for its first overseas trip of the year. The team will play three matches in the eight-team Istria Cup, which runs from March 2-7. Westphal was selected No. 3 overall by the Breakers in the Jan. 15 draft, which was held at the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore.

The USA opens the competition on March 2 against the full Slovenia Women's National Team, will face the Poland Under-19 Women's National Team on March 4 and finishes against the France National "B" Team. France's full Women's National Team will be competing in the SheBelieves Cup during that time in the United States.

The other teams in the tournament are the full National Teams of Croatia, Slovakia and Northern Ireland, as well as the Hungary National "B" Team. Those four teams will play games against each other. The full Hungary Women's National Team will be competing in the Cyprus Cup during that time.

The U.S. will be coached by Janet Rayfield, who has called up 20 players to travel to central Europe, 11 of whom are already in the NWSL or preparing for their rookie seasons this spring. Eight are collegiate players while one has finished her college eligibility.

Two players - Danielle Colaprico of the Chicago Red Stars and Rose Lavelle of Wisconsin - spent most of January training with the full U.S. Women's National Team in Los Angeles.

The roster includes nine players who have represented the USA in a FIFA Women's World Cup at the youth level.

U-23 Women's National Team Roster by Position:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Jane Campbell (Stanford; Kennesaw, Ga.), Katelyn Rowland (FC Kansas City; Vacaville, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (6): Abby Dahlkemper (Western New York Flash; Menlo Park, Calif.), Caprice Dydasco (Washington Spirit; Honolulu, Hawaii), Kayla Mills (USC; West Covina, Calif.), Katie Naughton (Chicago Red Stars; Elgin, Ill.), Erica Skroski (Sky Blue FC; Galloway, N.J.), Christen Westphal (Boston Breakers; Brecksville, Ohio)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars; Freehold, NJ.), Mandy Freeman (USC; West Covina, Calif.), Christina Gibbons (Duke; Raleigh, N.C.), Shea Groom (FC Kansas City; Liberty, Mo.), Rose Lavelle (Wisconsin; Cincinnati, Ohio), Havana Solaun (Seattle Reign; Gainesville, Fla.), Andi Sullivan (Stanford; Lorton, Va.), Samantha Witteman (Orlando Pride; Redondo Beach, Calif.)

FORWARDS (4): Makenzy Doniak (Western New York Flash; Chino Hills, Calif.), Tyler Lussi (Princeton; Lutherville, Md.), Toni Payne (Duke; Birmingham, Ala.), Taylor Smith (UCLA; Fort Worth, Texas)

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from February 17, 2016


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