United States coach Vlatko Andonovski named his 23-player squad on Wednesday for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe both picked to the team for the fourth time in their careers and 14 players making their World Cup debuts.
Veteran Julie Ertz also made the cut after returning from an injury in April after a long spell away from the game, while Alyssa Thompson, her Angel City FC teammate and NWSL No. 1 pick in 2023, was also included for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, which kicks off on July 20.
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The players were introduced with a star-studded social media post that included President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne and Megan Thee Stallion.
Rapinoe is the oldest player on the roster at 37. She will turn 38 on July 5.
Andonovski stressed the importance of Rapinoe’s leadership.
“Megan Rapinoe is probably going to have a different role than last World Cup or previous two World Cups,” he told reporters Wednesday. “She is going to have different types of minutes, but her leadership role is so important and her performance on field is very valuable for us. She is expected to have minutes in sendoff game.”
Asked about joining Rapinoe for their fourth…
