Rapinoe back for USWNT ahead of SheBelieves Cup

The U.S. women’s national soccer team on Wednesday unveiled its 23-player roster for this month’s SheBelieves Cup, providing a glimpse of who might take the pitch for the Americans at the Women’s World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand.

Longtime standout Megan Rapinoe, a forward who has made 197 career national team appearances, is back on the roster after missing two friendlies against New Zealand last month with an ankle injury. She is joined by fellow stalwarts Becky Sauerbrunn (212 caps), Alex Morgan (201), Crystal Dunn (128) and Lindsey Horan (123). But 11 players on the roster have 27 appearances or fewer.

After the SheBelieves Cup, which also includes Japan, Brazil and Canada, prospective players will have few chances to make an impression or integrate with the U.S. team before the World Cup. The Americans will have only two other friendlies in April before the final World Cup roster is announced sometime this summer.

Attacker Catarina Macario, one of the top young players in the world who stars for Olympique Lyonnais in France, remains unavailable after tearing an ACL last year. Defender Tierna Davidson, who was on the winning 2019 Women’s World Cup team and helped the Americans to bronze at the Olympics in 2021, also still

is recovering from an ACL injury suffered while playing for the Chicago Red Stars this past March. She will participate in the first part of SheBelieves Cup training camp but will not be on the tournament roster. Forward Sophia Smith, whose 11 goals led the Americans in 2022, also remains out with a foot injury.

The Women’s World Cup begins July 20. The United States’ first groupstage match is scheduled for July 22 against Vietnam in Auckland, New Zealand.

U.S. roster

Goalkeepers (3): Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars).

Defenders (7): Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (North Carolina), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign).

Midfielders (6): Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington).

Forwards (7): Ashley Hatch (Washington), Alex Morgan (San Diego), Midge Purce (Gotham FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington), Mallory Swanson (Chicago), Lynn Williams (Gotham FC).

Justin Setterfield/Getty Images The United States’ Megan Rapinoe, a forward who has made 197 career national team appearances, is back on the roster after missing two friendlies against New Zealand last month with an ankle injury.