The names and faces that make up the United States women’s national soccer team are familiar to many stateside sports fans, but there’s nothing wrong with a little refresher ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games.
Team USA heads to Brazil in search of its third consecutive Olympic gold medal and its fourth all-time. The 18-woman roster is smaller in numbers than the group that won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup last year but expectations remain as high as ever.
Included among Team USA’s 18 are established superstars Hope Solo, Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan. Rising stars Christen Press, Julie Johnston and Tobin Heath are trying to become household names like their high-profile teammates. Morgan Brian, Mallory Pugh and Crystal Dunn headline USA’s generation of future heroes.
Head coach Jill Ellis is tasked with putting the pieces together to form a group that can make history. The U.S. can become the first team to win Olympic gold the year after winning the Women’s World Cup. Doing so will transform Ellis and her players into legends.
Here’s the U.S. women’s soccer team roster in full.
2016 U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS: Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
DEFENDERS (6): Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), 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)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)
FORWARDS (4): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado)
USWNT’s Olympics roster talented, experienced >>
Thumbnail photo via Gary Rohman/MLS/USA TODAY Sports Images