Mewis makes it onto US roster for first WC
Hanson native Kristie Mewis was named on Wednesday to the US women’s national team roster for the Women’s World Cup, which begins next month in New Zealand and Australia.
Mewis, 32, played for the national team in 2013 and ’14 but was dropped from the roster until returning in 2020, when she joined younger sister Sam in earning a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
“I think the Olympics were really disappointing, and for the last couple years we’ve been working really hard to improve and just be ready for the World Cup,” she told the Globe earlier this month.
Mewis would be the oldest US woman to debut at the World Cup, according to sports analytics firm Opta Sports. Sam Mewis has a lingering knee injury and wasn’t available after playing for the 2019 World Cup champions.
Eighteen-year-old forward Alyssa Thompson also made the roster. It’s the first time a teenager will represent the US at a World Cup since Tiffany Roberts and Holly Manthei in 1995, according to The Athletic.
Thompson, a Los Angeles native, was selected No. 1 overall by hometown Angel City FC in the 2023 NWSL Draft and almost immediately began producing highlight-reel goals.
Thompson fills the spot left by Mallory Swanson, who tore a patellar tendon during a friendly against Ireland in April. Thompson arrived via an emergency call-up and played all 90 minutes in the second game against the Irish three days later.
Forwards Megan Rapinoe, 37, and Alex Morgan, 33, return for their fourth appearances in the World Cup, as does defender Kelley O’Hara, 34.
Midfielder Julie Ertz and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher of Connecticut are back for their third. Ertz made the squad after returning to the team in April following a long layoff for the birth of her son.
Other returnees include defender Crystal Dunn and midfielders Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle.
The roster selected by US coach Vlatko Andonovski includes a mix of familiar faces and newcomers.
“We are expecting the level of play at this World Cup to be the best it’s ever been, and all the teams must keep up with that growth,” Andonovski said in a statement. “For years, we’ve been able to see first-hand where the game is going, and that’s exciting.
“We are proud to have been one of the teams leading the way for women’s international soccer, and I know the tournament will once again show the world how great these players are across all 32 teams.”
The US has won the last two World Cups and will be vying for an unprecedented third straight when the tournament kicks off July 20 in Australia and New Zealand. The Americans are in Group E with Vietnam, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
“We want to do something that’s never been done before. We believe in the quality of the team and the support we have and we think we have what it takes to make it possible,” Andonovski said about the opportunity to win a third straight World Cup title.
The US begins play on Friday, July 21, against Vietnam.
In addition to Swanson and Becky Sauerbrunn, forward Catarina Macario will be missing. Macario tore an ACL last year while playing for her French club, Lyon.
Savannah DeMelo, 25, made the squad despite having not yet played for the US. The midfielder, who plays in the NWSL for Louisville, is just the third American woman to make a World Cup roster before appearing in a match at the international level.
“Her performance in the league was one of the biggest reasons why she’s on the team,” Andonovski said. “We see Sav being very important to us going forward.”