U.S. Women’s National Team Announces January Camp Roster

2017 U.S. Women’s National Team January camp roster was just announced, a look at the some of the players included in this cycle.

The U.S. Soccer Federation release the players called in for the January camp.

"GOALKEEPERS (4): Jane Campbell (Stanford), Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)"

"DEFENDERS (7): Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)"

"MIDFIELDERS (11): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Kristen Edmonds (Orlando Pride), Christina Gibbons (Duke), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Wisconsin), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Taylor Smith (Western New York Flash)"

"FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea Ladies FC, ENG), Jessica McDonald (Western New York Flash), Alex Morgan (Olympique Lyonnais, FRA), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Lynn Williams (Western New York Flash)"

A few surprising names in there. Here is a look and some thoughts on a few players from each position.

Goalkeepers

1. Adrianna Franch – She has been called up a few times to the National Team, but has yet to play internationally. She is an athletic goalkeeper most recently sharing time with Michelle Betos on the Portland Thorns FC .
2. Jane Campbell – She is currently a college senior at Stanford University , who is considered to be the best college goalkeeper in the upcoming 2017 draft. She holds the distinction of being the youngest goalkeeper of being invited to a National Team camp at age 17 back in 2013.

Defenders

1. Jaelene Hinkle returns to the National team having been called up originally in October 2015. She has 8 appearances with the National Team. Hinkle is not an elite defender. However, she is a good all-purpose player who can deliver about 57% cross completion, about 60% efficiency on corner kicks, and above average possession skills.
2. None of the other players on the list is a surprise, except possibly the omission of Megan Klingenberg who has had a back injury for several months now.

Midfielders

1. Kristen Edmonds is the Orlando Pride midfielder who made her debut with the National Team on October, 27, 2016. She is oddly better defensively than Hinkle, but not quite as efficient as Hinkle when you compare the 2 players for other parameters such as corner kicks, possession, and so on.
2. Christina Gibbons is a Duke University grad. According to Chris Henderson at “All White Kit”, she is a top pick in the upcoming draft. She is listed as a midfielder, but may be best suited as a fullback.
3.  Rose Lavelle is a senior at the University of Wisconsin. She and Gibbons will most likely be the number 1 and 2 picks at next week’s draft. She is an exciting goalscorer and midfielder.
4. Taylor Smith is a reserve player for the Western New York Flash. However, she does have international soccer experience having played at the U23, U20, U18, and U14 levels. Even though I only  have about a half season worth of 2016 NWSL statistics on Smith, she fits the perfect description of “average”.  She does not excel in any categories, nor does she “hurt” the team anywhere. But honestly, there are better midfielders around the NWSL such as Sarah Killion, Vanessa DiBernardo, and Dani Colapico.
5. Mallory Pugh is not on the list because of a minor knee injury.

Forwards

1. Amy Rodriguez!!! Fans of the NWSL have missed her 2016 presence due to missing the year giving birth to her second child back in July 2016. Before giving birth to her first child in 2013, she was considered an “okay” forward, but after giving birth in 2013, she returned and became one of the best forwards in the NWSL for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. So, will she be “twice as good” this time around?
2. Lynn Williams held the record for 4 days back in October for “fastest goal for an international debut”. She scored 49 seconds after her appearance against Switzerland on October 19, 2016. I have touted Williams in my “Blame it on the Rio Olympics” series that she is one of the best forwards in the NWSL this past season and should have been at the 2016 Olympics. She also won  the 2016 NWSL Golden Boot and 2016 NWSL Most Valuable  Player of the Year awards.

2016 U.S. Women’s Soccer- Blame it on the Rio Olympics- Should Have This Team Been There? Part 3- What a SNAFU!

2016 U.S. Women’s Soccer- Blame it on the Rio Olympics- Should Have This Team Been There? Part 3- What a SNAFU! A look at the USWNT and NWSL statistically.

The rest of the players called into camp above are fairly well-known, and do not need introduction. Hope Solo is eligible to return to the National Team in late February after serving her 6 month suspension.