It’s going to be a big summer ahead for a pair of Coloradans on the United States Women’s National Team on the sport’s biggest stage: the World Cup.
Lindsey Horan and Sophia Smith are headed Down Under, as head coach Vlatko Andonovski and U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday morning the pair had made the 23-player final roster for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which begins July 20th as the Americans look to win a third successive world title.
As of last November, five players with Colorado connections, including Mallory Swanson, Jaelin Howell and former CU star Taylor Kornieck were in contention to make the roster. However, Swanson had surgery last month on a torn patella tendon that she suffered in the final camp before the roster reveal in a game against the Republic of Ireland. Howell hadn’t played in a national team since late 2022, while Kornieck, who was on the bubble and was utilized with her size, ultimately was left out.
When Andonovski fielded in the half-hour media availability, he was asked if there was a chance Swanson could recover by the time the tournament started.
“Unfortunately (Swanson) was not close. It is something that has been very tough for us, but if there’s a team that has the depth to replace injured players, it’s the U.S. Women’s National Team,” he said.
Smith, a Windsor native who will appear at her first World Cup, has taken the soccer world by storm with her scoring prowess — 12 goals and three assists in 29 USWNT appearances, plus 29 goals for her club team, Portland Thorns. Receiving a Facetime call from Andonovski was a true career highlight for the 22-year-old. It came months after being named U.S. Soccer’s Female Player of the Year for 2022 as well as the youngest-ever NWSL MVP.
“It’s definitely all the emotions. This is something I’ve dreamed of for I don’t even know how long, so to get that call was kind of a big relief, and I just felt pure joy,” Smith told the media Wednesday. “Because, you know, the past few months have been a little bit stressful, I’ve been feeling a little anxious just because the clock has been ticking and I knew this time was coming. So to get that call was pretty surreal and I still feel all of those emotions right now.”
Horan, the Golden native, will make her second World Cup appearance. She’s spent the last two seasons playing her club ball with Olympique Lyonnais in France and has been on a trophy tear as of late. She won the 2022 UEFA Women’s Champions League and followed it up by adding two more domestic titles this season.
“Us being from Colorado, we will do our absolute best to represent the state,” Smith added.
Fourteen of the 23 players will be making their maiden World Cup voyages, and it will be crucial to lean on veterans such as Horan, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Crystal Dunn. “Players’ Captain” Becky Sauerbrunn, 38, was ruled out last Friday with a foot injury, while 18-year-old phenom Alyssa Thompson replaced Swanson as a striker.
“Staying on your toes and being flexible is the thing you have to remember when you’re in a tournament,” Dunn said. “Anything can happen, whether it’s injury or form. Players have to be prepared for anything, and it’s really about honing in on your role and executing it to the best of your ability.”
The U.S. will play against Vietnam (July 21), the Netherlands (July 27) and will close group-stage play against Portugal (Aug. 1).
U.S. National Team roster
Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury, Casey Murphy, Alyssa Naeher; Defenders: Alana Cook, Emily Fox, Crystal Dunn, Naomi Girma, Sofia Huerta, Kelley O’Hara, Emily Sonnett; Midfielders: Savannah Demelo, Julie Ertz, Horan, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis, Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan Forwards: Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Trinity Rodman, Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Lynn Williams.
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