Megan Rapinoe Included in U.S. Roster for July 9 Match

The U.S. women’s soccer team announced it’s 24-player roster for its match against South Africa on July 9 in Chicago.

Megan Rapinoe, who is recovering from ACL surgery in December, was named to her first roster since her injury. Rapinoe will not play in the match, but will be with the team for training and evaluation. 

Although Rapinoe will not play for the U.S., her time with the national team will give her a chance to show head coach Jill Ellis her level of health and fitness. 

If healthy, Rapinoe would be a valuable contributor the U.S. as one of the team’s most talented and experienced players. However, with only an 18-player roster for the Olympics it would be a risk for Ellis to select Rapinoe if she is not 100 percent.

Ellis has said she would like to announce the Olympic roster in early July.

Another familiar face returns for the U.S. as Carli Lloyd was named to the roster. Lloyd missed the team’s two matches against Japan in June due to a knee injury, but has recovered and will be able to play for the team against South Africa. 

The remaining 22 players on this roster were also on the roster for the June matches. 

Following the match against South Africa, the U.S. will play its final Olympic send-off match against Costa Rica on July 22. 

Here is the full roster:

Goalkeepers: Ashlyn Harris, Alyssa Naeher, Hope Solo

Defenders: Whitney Engen, Jaelene Hinkle, Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger, Gina Lewandowski, Kelley O’Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett

Midfielders: Morgan Brian, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Carli Lloyd, Allie Long, Megan Rapinoe, Samantha Mewis, Heather O’Reilly

Forwards: Crystal Dunn, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Mallory Pugh