The United States Women's National Team named their 20-player roster for the 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Texas today. Houston Dash midfielders Morgan Brian and Carli Lloyd were among the names on the roster.
Brian, 22, has made 43 appearances for the United States. The St. Simons Island, Georgia, native made 24 appearances for the U.S. in 2015, including six at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. In her rookie season with the Dash, Brian played in 10 games and recorded three assists.
Lloyd was named the 2015 U.S. Soccer Women's Player of the Year, CONCACAF Women's Player of the Year, and FIFA Women's Player of the Year. The 33-year-old led the U.S. with 26 appearances and 18 goals in 2015, stretching her career totals to 212 caps and 82 goals. Lloyd scored the game-winning goals in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold medal matches.
The USWNT starts their Olympic qualifying in Frisco, Texas, with Group A play against Costa Rica, Mexico and Puerto Rico from Feb. 10-15. Should the U.S. finish in the top two teams at the conclusion of the group stage, they would advance to the semifinal round in Houston on Feb. 19, with the winners securing a spot at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The championship match will also be held at BBVA Compass Stadium, on Feb. 21.
Tickets to the semfinals and final, as well as Group A matches to be played at BBVA Compass Stadium, are available at BBVACompassStadium.com.
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)
