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NWSL Houston Dash

Four Dash Players to Represent National Teams

January 26, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Houston Dash News Release


HOUSTON - The United States Women's National Team and Canadian Women's National Team announced their 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship roster that features four Houston Dash players. Allysha Chapman, Janine Beckie, Morgan Brian and Carli Lloyd will take part in the tournament that begins Feb. 10.

"We are extremely happy for our players selected to represent their national team," Dash managing director Brian Ching said. "It will be fun for Houston to be able to watch our players throughout the qualifying process. People will be able to see what these players are going to bring to our team this season."

The United States has won the gold medal at the last three Olympic games. The U.S. will open Group A play against Costa Rica Feb. 10 in Frisco, Texas. The USWNT will face Mexico in their second group match and wrap up the group stage against Puerto Rico.

Lloyd, the 2015 FIFA Women's Player of the Year, has earned 202 caps and scored 83 goals. In 2015, she won the Golden Ball and Silver Boot at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

"It's very exciting for the Houston Dash to once again have Carli and Morgan representing the US and the Dash in such a prestigious tournament. As we all know, Carli adds that attacking dimension to the team, with an unwavering competitiveness that epitomizes our US players," Dash head coach Randy Waldrum said. "Carli's in really good form and brings a wealth of leadership to the team. Being named the World's Best Player recently I think says enough about her quality."

Brian has earned 35 caps and scored four goals for the U.S. In 2015, she was the youngest player on the U.S. roster at the FIFA Women's World Cup. Additionally, she has represented the U.S. in international tournaments at the U-20 and U-17 level.

"Morgan is truly an outstanding young talent. She has such good technical abilities on the ball and her field vision is second to none," Waldrum said. "I think she is one of the best young players in the world stage right now, and as we all saw things changed for the US during the World Cup when she broke into the lineup. I'm really excited to see our Dash players representing the USA in the Olympics this summer!"

Canada won the bronze medal at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Canada is in Group B and will open against Guyana Feb. 11 at BBVA Compass Stadium. Their second group match will be against Trinidad & Tobago and they close the group stage against Guatemala.

Chapman started 13 of 14 matches for Canada last year including five matches in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. She earned her first cap against Japan in Oct. 2014 and has represented Canada at the U-20 level.

"Allysha will bring that tenacity and toughness in the back defensively, as well as the threat of getting forward into the attack," Waldrum said.

The Dash selected Beckie with the eighth pick overall in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. She made her debut with the national team at age 20 and has earned nine caps. Beckie spent the summer and spring quarters with Canada last year ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

"Janine has been playing great as of late for Canada along with Christine Sinclair up front. She is a young player just recently elevated to the full team, but she is the future of the front line for them," Waldrum said. "Beckie has great composure in front of goal, and can score from so many different parts of the field. Her work rate and 90 minutes of pressure wears defenses down and she along with Chapman will be around for Canada for years to come."

Houston will host Group B play along with the semifinals and final. The semifinal winners clinch berths for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics. Tickets for all of Canada's matches as well as the semifinal and final are available now at BBVACompassStadium.com.

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