NWSL Chicago Stars FC

Four Red Stars Named to USWNT Roster for November

Published on October 27, 2016 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Chicago Stars FC News Release


CHICAGO - U.S. Women's National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named 24 players to the training camp roster, including Chicago Red Stars Julie Johnston, Alyssa Naeher, Christen Press and Casey Short, ahead of two matches against Romania on Nov. 10 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (7 p.m. PT on ESPN2) and Nov. 13 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. (6:30 p.m. PT on FS1). Ellis will name 18 players to suit up for each match. These will be the final games for the USA in 2016.

Starting and playing the entire 90 minutes in both matches for the USA against Switzerland, Short returns to camp after impressing the coaching staff during her first call up.

"It was amazing," Short said of earning her first cap. "I was definitely having some nerves and it took me little bit to settle in, but with the players around me, the veterans, they comforted me and gave me direction. To put that jersey on... it just meant a lot."

Short will join the three Chicago Red Stars who have had significant time representing the United States in Johnston, Naeher and Press.

Johnston returns to the U.S. WNT after an absence in the October camp. Playing all 90 minutes of the 12 games in which she appeared, Johnston's strength to disable attacking opponents is one ability to be reckoned with. In her third year with the Red Stars, the 2014 Rookie of the Year has consistently been a player to watch, being named to the NWSL's Best Teams the past three seasons.

Naeher, acquired by Chicago in November 2015 from Boston, led the league in a tie for most shutouts (6), earning just 1.00 goal against per game after showcasing 13 times for the Red Stars. Naeher earned her ninth cap and fifth clean sheet of her international career during the first match against Switzerland.

Leading Chicago with 8 goals in the regular season, Press posted the best goals-per-game average in the NWSL at 0.57. A second half substitution in both Switzerland matches, she finished each game with a goal and assist.

Ellis named 11 uncapped players to the USA's roster for the matches against Switzerland earlier this month and six of those earned first caps, with two players, forwards Lynn Williams and Kealia Ohai, scoring their first goals. Of those six players, five return to this roster: Williams, Ohai, defender Short, defender Abby Dahlkemper and midfielder Andi Sullivan. Two uncapped players have been called up in goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, who has been in with the U.S. team for several camps over the last few years, and first time call-up Kristen Edmonds, who enjoyed a fine NWSL season with the Orlando Pride, while leading the team in scoring with six goals. Defender Jaelene Hinkle of the NWSL champion Western New York Flash, who has earned eight caps over the past two years, was also named to the roster.

In addition, five veterans of the 2015 Women's World Cup Team and 2016 Olympic Team, who were not called in for the games against the Swiss return to the roster: defenders Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg and Ali Krieger, midfielder Megan Rapinoe and forward Alex Morgan.

"Our last training camp and games with Switzerland were extremely positive in regards to giving new players a chance to perform, continuing the process of deepening the player pool and fostering competition within the squad," said Ellis. "With this dynamic mix of players, we are looking forward to the environment and to finishing off the year on a winning note."

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from October 27, 2016


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