Five Thorns Players Among the 29 Called Up for USWNT Camp

The Thorns and the Western New York Flash are tied in sending the most players to the next USWNT camp in January, with both sending five players. The five, by now seasoned veterans of the USWNT, are midfielders Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and Allie Long, defender Emily Sonnett and goalkeeper Adrianna Franch. US Soccer’s press release noted that Thorns defender Meghan Klingenburg was not available for this camp due to lingering back injuries, but she is expected to be available for selection for the SheBelieves Cup.

The camp, which will be held Jan. 13-23 at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif., will be the first meeting of the US Women’s National Team since the players’ contracts have ended in 2016. Although players announced that a new CBA needed to be drawn up, they are still required to give US Soccer 60 days notice before any strike. The fact that this roster was announced and arranged despite the potentiality of a US Women’s National Team strike seems heartening.

“The players have had a good break since our last games in November, and I know everyone is anxious to get back to work,” said Ellis in the offical US soccer press release. “January Camp has always been valuable to set the tone for the upcoming year and it will be good for the players to get back on the field. For the staff, evaluation and performance remain the focal points during camp as we begin a build up to the SheBelieves Cup.”

US Soccer invited several new younger players to the camp, some of whom are also going to be taking part in the NWSL College Draft on January 12th. Other than that, the only notable changes in the roster are the comeback of forward Amy Rodriguez.

See the full 29-player roster below:

GOALKEEPERS (4): Jane Campbell (Stanford), Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (7): Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS (11): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Kristen Edmonds (Orlando Pride), Christina Gibbons (Duke), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Wisconsin), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Taylor Smith (Western New York Flash)

FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea Ladies FC, ENG), Jessica McDonald (Western New York Flash), Alex Morgan (Olympique Lyonnais, FRA), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Lynn Williams (Western New York Flash)