U-20 USWNT: Final Camp Roster – Kelly Cobb, Makenzy Doniak, and Caprice Dydasco Still In The Mix

Today, U.S. Soccer released the final camp roster for the United States Under-20 Women’s National Team prior to the Under-20 Women’s World Cup this August in Japan. The camp runs from July 15th to the 30th and will be held in Bradenton, Florida. Head coach Steve Swanson invited 24 players to camp, including all 21 who traveled to Japan for the team’s recently friendlies with the hosts, plus forwards Kelly Cobb, Makenzy Doniak, and fullback Caprice Dydasco. Although those three were most likely invited as back-ups in case of injuries to the other 21 players, they could potentially make the tournament roster. However, Cobb is coming back from ankle surgery and may not yet be 100-percent, as she did not even play in any of the scrimmages or the friendly during the last domestic camp. And, at this point, a roster shake-up seems unlikely. (Full roster after the jump…) Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: Final Camp Roster – Kelly Cobb, Makenzy Doniak, and Caprice Dydasco Still In The Mix”

Olympics: Nadeshiko Japan Announces Its Roster

Early Monday, head coach Norio Sasaki announced Nadeshiko Japan’s roster for the  women’s soccer tournament at this year’s Summer Olympics in Great Britain (JFA, Japanese version). All eighteen players on the primary roster were part of Japan’s 2011 World Champion squad, including Karina Maruyama, who injured her knee during Olympic qualifying last September. Also making the squad are defender Azusa Iwashimizu and U-20 forward Mana Iwabuchi, who both missed the Volvo Winners Cup in Sweden due to minor injuries (left ankle and foot, respectively). Not among the primary players or alternates is defender Rumi Utsugi, who was injured during Japan’s most recent friendly with the United States. Continue reading “Olympics: Nadeshiko Japan Announces Its Roster”

Olympics: Brazil’s WNT Announces Its Roster (Plus Other Notes)

On Friday, head coach Jorge Barcellos announced Brazil’s roster for the women’s soccer tournament at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Great Britain (CBF.com.br, in Portuguese).  Only one player, defender Bruna Benites, was not on the roster for last year’s Women’s World Cup.  Neither Gabriela Maria Zanotti Demoner, who played collegiate soccer at Franklin Pierce University, nor Rafaelle Leone Carvalho Souza, who currently plays for the University of Missippi (Ole Miss) are on the eighteen player roster. The roster includes one U-20 player, forward Thaís Guedes, who also played in the 2011 Women’s World Cup. Continue reading “Olympics: Brazil’s WNT Announces Its Roster (Plus Other Notes)”

Olympics: New Zealand’s Roster – Three U-20 Players Among Top Eighteen

On Friday, New Zealand released the roster for its Olympic women’s soccer team (NZFootball.co.nz). Sixteen of the eighteen primary players participated in last year’s Women’s World Cup. The roster features six U-20 players in all: three on the main roster, and three alternates. The Football Ferns will also have one of the oldest players, starting goalkeeper Jenny Bindon, who will be 39 years, 150 days when the Olympic soccer tournament begins in July. Continue reading “Olympics: New Zealand’s Roster – Three U-20 Players Among Top Eighteen”

Olympics: Sweden’s Semi-Official Roster

On Wednesday, Sweden released its roster for the women’s soccer tournament for this year’s Summer Olympics in Great Britain (SvFF).  Four players were not on the 2011 Women’s World Cup roster: Defenders Emma Berglund and Malin Levenstad, who have just 16 caps total between them; midfielder Johanna Almgren, a 2008 Olympics veteran; and forward Kosovare Asllani.  A few key veterans are not available due to injuries.  For more on Sweden’s injury woes, see the earlier post about their Volvo Winners Cup roster. Continue reading “Olympics: Sweden’s Semi-Official Roster”

Olympics: Team Great Britain Announces its WNT Roster

On Tuesday, the Olympic women’s soccer squad for Team Great Britain was announced by its coach, Hope Powell (TheFA.com; Google cache version). Sixteen of the eighteen official players hail from England. The remaining two are both Scottish: midfielder Kim Little and defender Ifeoma Dieke. Two of the reserve players are non-English: goalkeeper Emma Higgins of Northern Ireland and forward Jane Ross of Scotland. Of the sixteen English players on the primary roster, only one was not in Germany for the 2011 Women’s World Cup: midfielder Rachel Williams, who is a veteran of the 2008 Under-20 Women’s World Cup. Continue reading “Olympics: Team Great Britain Announces its WNT Roster”

Olympics: Colombia Announces Its Team Roster

On Tuesday, USWNT group opponent Colombia announced its 18-player Olympic roster for its Women’s National Team (ColFutbol.org). Only 14 of the 18 players on the roster participated in the Women’s World Cup last year.  The four new players all currently play collegiate soccer in the USA: Natalia Ariza, Stefany Castaño Cardozo, Ana María Montoya, and Melissa Ortiz.  No alternates were named. Continue reading “Olympics: Colombia Announces Its Team Roster”

Olympics: South Africa’s Semi-Official Roster

Canada group opponent South Africa announced their preliminary Olympic roster last week (www.safa.net). Of the eighteen players on the list, two currently play for American universities: goalkeeper Roxanne Barker (Pepperdine University) and Kylie-Ann Louw  (Stephen F. Austin State University). SAFA’s new item notes that an official roster will be announced on July 4th. Continue reading “Olympics: South Africa’s Semi-Official Roster”

U-23 USWNT: Roster For Friendlies Versus Sweden’s and Norway’s U23 WNTs

Under-23 United States Women’s National Team head coach Randy Waldrum has called up seventeen players, plus one to be confirmed, for three friendlies with Sweden’s U-23 WNT and Norway’s U-23 WNT. These matches will be held in Norway from June 15th to the 19th. The roster includes several players who have been in senior USWNT camps, including already capped midfielder Christine Nairn, midfielder Ingrid Wells, forward Melissa Henderson, and goalkeeper Adrianna Franch. Also on the roster is Bayern Munich’s Sarah Hagen, who scored the game-winner in this year’s Women’s German Cup final against FFC Frankfurt. Continue reading “U-23 USWNT: Roster For Friendlies Versus Sweden’s and Norway’s U23 WNTs”

Opponent Watch: Japan’s Travel Roster For Friendlies in Sweden

Early on Tuesday, Japan released its roster for the two friendlies versus the United States and Sweden that will be held in Sweden in mid-June as part of the Volvo Winners Cup. Twenty-one players were called up, including Homare Sawa and Mana Iwabuchi who were both recovering from medical issues. One uncapped player was called up, Ami Otaki, who finished university at the end of last year and now plays for UEFA Women’s Champion League champions Olympique Lyonnais in France.

Japan and the United States WNT play each other on June 18th at 13:00 local time in Sweden.

Continue reading “Opponent Watch: Japan’s Travel Roster For Friendlies in Sweden”