USWNT: Boxx in, Dunn out as Ellis unveils Women’s World Cup roster ahead of schedule

With 55 days until the USA’s opening match of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named the 23 players who will represent the United States on women’s soccer’s biggest stage, and her predictably veteran-heavy squad featured only a few mild surprises.

U.S. captain Christie Rampone has been named to her fifth Women’s World Cup roster, tying Kristine Lilly for most World Cups for an American player, man or woman. Midfielder Shannon Boxx — who looked out of the picture due to injuries just a few months ago — and forward Abby Wambach will be playing in their fourth World Cups, while Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo and Heather O’Reilly make their third Women’s World Cup roster. Ellis named eight players who will be participating for the first time and nine who will be participating for the second time.

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The federation described the roster as “the product of nearly 11 months of player evaluation since Ellis was named head coach in May of 2014,” a period which comprises 23 international matches (including two with Ellis as interim coach before being officially named head coach) and training camps including a total of 34 players.

Ellis selected 14 players who were part of the 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning team in London. The roster will not become official until it is submitted to FIFA on May 25, which is the deadline for all teams to submit their final squads.

“The players selected have the confidence, experience and desire to help us win a world championship,” said Ellis in a statement. “We had an excellent group to pick from and at the end of the last camp, I complemented all the players on how much they pushed each other and competed to make this selection challenging.”

The Women’s World Cup roster will make up the squad for the USA’s final three matches before departing for Canada: the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, May 10, at 2:30 p.m. ET at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California; vs Mexico on Sunday, May 17, at 9 p.m. ET at StubHub Center in Carson, California; and Korea Republic on Saturday, May 30, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey (4:30 p.m. ET).

This summer, the USA will face Australia, Sweden and Nigeria in Group D at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The USA opens against Australia on June 8 at Winnipeg Stadium, followed by Sweden on June 12 in Winnipeg and Nigeria on June 16 at BC Place in Vancouver.

“It’s been a thorough process of evaluation, and we had a lot of good opportunities to see the players in highly competitive situations. I feel that this group of players can accomplish our goals,” said Ellis. “We have positional depth, versatility, and players that will give us balance on every line.”

2015 United States FIFA Women’s World Cup Roster By Position

GOALKEEPERS (3): Ashlyn Harris* (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher* (Boston Breakers), Hope Solo*** (Seattle Reign FC)

DEFENDERS (8): Lori Chalupny** (Chicago Red Stars), Whitney Engen* (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston* (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg* (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger** (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara** (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone***** (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn** (FC Kansas City)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx**** (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian* (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath** (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday** (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd*** (Houston Dash), Heather O’Reilly*** (FC Kansas City), Megan Rapinoe** (Seattle Reign FC)

FORWARDS (5): Sydney Leroux* (Western NY Flash), Alex Morgan** (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press* (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez** (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach**** (unattached)

* First Women’s World Cup
** Second Women’s World Cup
*** Third Women’s World Cup
**** Fourth Women’s World Cup
***** Fifth Women’s World Cup