USWNT confirm 27-player roster for South Africa friendlies

  • Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe to feature for the final time for USWNT
  • Mia Fishel expected to see first minutes with the senior team 
  • All fit World Cup players called up to recent roster 
USWNT 27-player announced for September friendlies.
USWNT 27-player announced for September friendlies. / Richard Callis/ISI Photos/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

United States women’s national team interim manager Twila Kilgore has named a 27-player roster for the two friendly matches against South Africa, with Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz included for the final time.

Legendary duo Rapinoe and Ertz previously announced their retirement from professional football, with Rapinoe concluding her career at the end of the 2023 NWSL season and Ertz following the USWNT’s elimination from the World Cup. But US Soccer will honor the pair in the upcoming games given their dedication and commitment to the USWNT over a 10-year span. 

The Americans will first host South Africa on September 21 in Cincinnati, before playing in Chicago on September 24. The two friendlies will be the first time USWNT has returned to action since being shockingly eliminated by Sweden in the World Cup’s round of 16.

All players who featured in the international tournament have been called up to the September roster, except Sophia Smith who is currently sidelined by an injury.

"As we continue the search for our new head coach, we felt it was best to call up all of World Cup players who are fit to play, while also bringing in some players that we believe can help us moving forward as we start our preparations for the Olympics next year," Matt Crocker, US soccer sporting director said.

"We're looking forward to having the opportunity to honor the players who have decided to retire but also know these games are valuable as the first steps towards Paris. Once the new head coach comes in, that individual will assess the player pool and make roster decisions that will be focused on building a team for the future."

Kilgore has expanded the player pool, with Mia Fishel and Jaedyn Shaw expected to earn their first official cap for USWNT, while Ashley Hatch and Tierna Davidson also return to the fold after failing to make the final World Cup roster.


USWNT 27-player roster to play South Africa

Goalkeepers

Name

Club

Aubrey Kingsbury

Washington Spirit

Casey Murphy

North Carolina Courage

Alyssa Naeher

Chicago Red Stars


Defenders

Name

Club

Alana Cook

OL Reign

Tierna Davidson

Chicago Red Stars

Crystal Dunn

Portland Thorns FC

Emily Fox

North Carolina Courage

Naomi Girma

San Diego Wave FC

Sofia Huerta

OL Reign

Casey Krueger

Chicago Red Stars

Kelley O'Hara

NJ/NY Gotham

Emily Sonnett

OL Reign


Midfielders

Name

Club

Sam Coffey

Portland Thorns FC

Savannah DeMelo

Racing Louisville FC

Julie Ertz

Unattached

Lindsey Horan

Olympique Lyonnais

Rose Lavelle

OL Reign

Ashley Sanchez

Washington Spirit

Andi Sullivan

Washington Spirit


Mia Fishel

Chelsea

Ashley Hatch

Washington Spirit

Alex Morgan

San Diego Wave FC

Megan Rapinoe

OL Reign

Trinity Rodman

Washington Spirit

Jaedyn Shaw

San Diego Wave FC

Alyssa Thompson

Angel City FC

Lynn Williams

NJ/NY Gotham FC