Mewis, Hinkle Named to U.S. Women's National Team's Olympic Qualifying Roster
January 26, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ELMA, N.Y. - Western New York Flash midfielder Samantha Mewis and defender Jaelene Hinkle have been named to U.S. Women's National Team's 20-player roster that will represent the USA at the 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship running from Feb. 10-21 in Frisco and Houston, Texas. The USA opens the tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 10 against Costa Rica (8:30 p.m. ET).
After opening Group A play against the Ticas, the USA continues first round action against Mexico on Saturday, Feb. 13 (4 p.m. ET), and finishes group play against Puerto Rico on Monday, Feb. 15 (8:30 p.m. ET).
After regular appearances with the U.S. WNT at the latter portion of 2015, both Mewis and Hinkle earned allocation status for the 2016 National Women's Soccer League season. Both players have totaled five caps with the USA, with Mewis playing all 90 minutes and Hinkle entering as a second-half substitute in the U.S. WNT's most recent match, a 5-0 win over Ireland on Sunday.
In 2015, Mewis led the Flash with four goals and four assists and went on to be named a finalist for NWSL Rookie of the Year. Hinkle had an impressive rookie campaign as well, as she was just one of two Flash players (and the lone rookie on the team) to play all 1,800 minutes.
U.S. Women's National Team Olympic Qualifying Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
DEFENDERS (7): Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash)
FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Stephanie McCaffrey (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado)
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from January 26, 2016
- Four Dash Players to Represent National Teams - Houston Dash
- Abby Erceg, New Zealand Qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics - Western New York Flash
- Morgan, Harris to Represent USA at the 2016 CONCACAF Women's Qualifying Championship - Orlando Pride
- Boston Breakers Forward Stephanie McCaffrey Named to U.S. Qualifying Roster - Boston Breakers
- Mewis, Hinkle Named to U.S. Women's National Team's Olympic Qualifying Roster - Western New York Flash
- Heath, Horan, Klingenberg, Sonnett Named to U.S. Women's National Team Roster - Portland Thorns FC
- Dunn and Krieger Named to 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Roster - Washington Spirit
- U.S. Team Names 20-Player Roster on Road to Rio - Chicago Stars FC
- Kelley O'Hara Named to 20-Player USWNT Roster for 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying - Sky Blue FC
- Ellis Names Hope Solo To 20-Player Roster On Road To Rio - Seattle Reign FC
- UVA, PSU, UNC, and Duke to Face Spirit in Preseason Matches - Washington Spirit
- Flash Goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo Named to Canada's Olympic Qualifying Roster - Western New York Flash
- Boston Breakers to Field Under-20 Team in WPSL in 2016 - Boston Breakers
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