USWNT roster named for upcoming friendlies vs. Thailand, Netherlands

(Via U.S. Soccer) – U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named 21 players from the 2016 Olympic Games roster to compete in a pair of friendlies against Thailand on Sept. 15 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (8 p.m. ET on ESPN2) and on Sept. 18 against the Netherlands (7 p.m. ET on FS1) at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

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U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (2): Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (7): 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), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

FORWARDS (4): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado)

The USA has never played Thailand before so this will be the 50th different country the WNT has faced in its history. The meeting against the Netherlands will be the seventh between the two nations.

A free and open to the public training session will take place before each game – more info. Both games will be played on natural grass (a natural grass surface will be installed for the match at the Georgia Dome).

The USA vs. Thailand match will have added significance as it will also be the final game for U.S. veteran Heather O’Reilly who last week announced her retirement from international soccer. O’Reilly will be honored pre-game and will captain the USA.

Also, 18-year-old forward Mallory Pugh will not be with the team in Columbus but will join them in Atlanta as she is currently training with the U-20 WNT in Los Angeles. The game against the Netherlands in Atlanta will be a homecoming for three Georgia natives in Morgan Brian (St. Simon’s Island), Kelley O’Hara (Fayetteville) and Emily Sonnett (Marietta).

“We are really looking forward to both of these matches,” Ellis said. “These first two games will all be players who were at the Olympics and then in October, we’ll really start to focus on the new cycle. One of the most important things in this first game against Thailand is to celebrate Heather O’Reilly’s wonderful career and honor her with a send-off befitting her tremendous contribution to our program. I am certain the fans and our players and will make sure it’s a very special day.”