Four Flash Players Named to USWNT Victory Tour Roster for Seattle and Orlando Matches
October 16, 2015 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ELMA, N.Y. (Friday, October 16, 2015) - Four Western New York Flash players have been named to the U.S. Women's National Team's 31-player roster that will travel for the team's fifth and sixth matches of the Victory Tour. World Cup Champions Sydney Leroux and Whitney Engen will be with the team, while midfielder Samantha Mewis has earned her sixth career call-up and defender Jaelene Hinkle has been invited to her first-ever WNT camp.
The team first faces Brazil on Oct. 21 in Seattle, presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance (7 p.m. PT on ESPN2/ WatchESPN), and Oct. 25 in Orlando (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1/FOX Sports GO).
"I feel incredibly blessed to be given the opportunity to come in and train with the best of the best," Hinkle said of her first call-up. "I hope to grow and develop in my game while away, and truly make the most of this opportunity the Lord has blessed me with!"
Hinkle, 22, was just one of two NWSL rookies to appear in all 1,800 minutes this season, as she started at left back for each of the Flash's 20 matches. A Texas Tech product, Hinkle earned her call-up after a strong season on the backline, where she also scored a goal and added an assist this year.
A finalist for 2015 NWSL Rookie of the Year, Mewis has three caps with the USWNT, getting her first appearance during the 2014 Algarve Cup. In her first season with the Flash, the 23-year-old finished tied for a team lead in points (12), goals (4) and assists (4), and also led all NWSL rookies in assists, shots (55) and shots on goal (27).
Engen, 27, appeared in 12 matches for the Flash this season, starting all at center back. In her 29 caps with the National Team, the defender has scored four goals.
Leroux, 25, played in the Flash's first three matches of the season before missing the remaining, post-World Cup matches due to ankle surgery. She scored a goal in the Flash's home-opening win on May 2nd vs. Boston.
U.S. Soccer has also recently announced two additional matches for the Victory Tour, with the USWNT facing Trinidad & Tobago first on December 6 in Honolulu and again on December 10 in San Antonio.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from October 16, 2015
- Rampone, O'Hara Named to 31-Player WWC Roster for Pair of Matches vs. Brazil - Sky Blue FC
- Reign FC's Megan Rapinoe and Hope Solo Called up for Victory Tour Matches in Seattle and Orlando - Seattle Reign FC
- Spirit Midfielder Christine Nairn Called up to USWNT - Washington Spirit
- Four Flash Players Named to USWNT Victory Tour Roster for Seattle and Orlando Matches - Western New York Flash
- Boston Breakers Forward Stephanie McCaffrey Called up to U.S. Women's National Team - Boston Breakers
- Flash Loan Elizabeth Eddy to Yunogo Belle - Western New York Flash
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