USWNT SheBelieves Cup camp roster includes Spirit trio
Kelley Piper/Black and Red United
Jordan DiBiasi joins Rose Lavelle and Andi Sullivan on Vlatko Andonovski’s initial 26-player squad
The USWNT roster for the 2020 SheBelieves Cup includes three Washington Spirit players, with midfielder Jordan DiBiasi joining expected call-ups Rose Lavelle and Andi Sullivan on Vlatko Andonovski’s initial 26-player list. The United States team will gather in Orlando next week to begin a short training camp, with Andonovski having to cut three players ahead of the tournament, which begins on March 5.
“We’re looking forward to a productive camp in Orlando and the challenge of playing three fantastic sides over the seven days. The rhythm of the SheBelieves Cup schedule directly matches what we will face in group play at the Olympics, and the value of getting a test run against this level of competition cannot be overstated,” said Andonovski via a team press release.
DiBiasi’s call-up comes after spending time in the talent identification camp the USWNT held back in December. A successful rookie season saw the Spirit midfielder in the running for NWSL Rookie of the Year, and she apparently kept that strong form up in front of the U.S. coaching staff. If she makes the final roster and appears in a SheBelieves Cup game, DiBiasi would be getting her first senior national team cap after appearing at multiple youth levels.
Lavelle has established herself as a starter for the USWNT over the last year, and was among the standouts in Olympic qualifying. Her 5th minute strike in the crucial semifinal against Mexico ended up being the game-winner in the match that qualified the U.S. for the Tokyo 2020 games.
Sullivan, meanwhile, has played her way into the USWNT fold after the heartbreak of being one of the last cuts from the 2019 World Cup champions, beating established veterans like Morgan Brian and Allie Long in a crowded pool of defensive midfield options. Just over two weeks ago, Sullivan earned her 16th cap in the 8-0 qualifying group stage win over Panama.
The Spirit may have had more potential call-ups, but with Aubrey Bledsoe and Sam Staab currently playing on loan in the W-League and relative longshots to make the final 23-player squad, it is not a particularly big shock that they were left out.
Elsewhere on the roster, there were recalls for World Cup winners Tierna Davidson (who missed Olympic qualifying due to injury) and former Spirit attacker Mal Pugh, as well as Casey Short, Midge Purce, and Jane Campbell.
The full roster is as follows:
Goalkeepers (4): Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash)
Defenders (9): Kelley O’Hara (Utah Royals FC), Emily Sonnett (Orlando Pride), Margaret Purce (Sky Blue FC), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Abby Dahlkemper (North Carolina Courage), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars), Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (North Carolina Courage)
Midfielders (6): Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit), Jordan DiBiasi (Washington Spirit), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit), Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage; 64/18), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 83/18)
Forwards (7): Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC), Jessica McDonald (North Carolina Courage), Christen Press (Utah Royals FC), Mallory Pugh (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC)