Kansas City Current sends two players to U.S. Women’s National Team for November friendlies

U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) head coach Vlatko Andonovski has named a 24-player BioSteel Training Camp Roster for the two home friendly matches in November against Germany. Included on the roster are Kansas City Current players Adrianna ‘AD’ Franch and Hailie Mace.

Franch has 10 caps for the USWNT, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she made two appearances. She comes into this camp fresh off an incredible season for the Current that saw her lead the team to the NWSL Championship match and set records for clean sheets (5) and saves (66).

Mace is headed to USWNT camp for the third straight time. She has seven career appearances for the U.S., including appearances in the past four games the U.S. has played. She was also a major factor in the Current’s run to the NWSL Championship match.

The USA finishes its 2022 schedule against the UEFA Women’s Euro runners-up on Thursday, Nov. 10 at DRV PNK Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (6 p.m. CT on FS1) and on Sunday, Nov. 13 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. (4 p.m. CT on ESPN).

The matches bring together two of the top-three ranked teams in the world with the Americans currently ranked first and Germany third.

“These are the kinds of games that help our World Cup preparation in many ways and these 180 minutes to end our schedule this year are going to be extremely valuable for the players and coaches,” said Andonovski. “It will be good to get some players back on the roster and we’re all expecting these games to be very competitive and entertaining for fans.”

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club) – November Friendlies vs. Germany:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Adrianna Franch (Kansas City Current), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (7): Alana Cook (OL Reign), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)

FORWARDS (7): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Alyssa Thompson (Total Futbol Academy)

At the end of July, Germany made an impressive run to the title game of the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro but fell in overtime to host England, 2-1, in front of a record crowd at Wembley Stadium. Midfielder Lina Magull scored Germany’s lone goal in the final, which was played without star forward Alexandra Popp. Popp was injured during warmups and could not add to her six tournament goals, which tied for most in the competition.

Germany boasts some of the top young players in the world and several world class veterans, including Popp, who is expected to be on the Germany roster, setting up two compelling games to end the USWNT’s 2022 schedule of matches.

On October 22, the USA learned its group opponents and path through the tournament at the Final Draw for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The USA was drawn into Group E where it will face Vietnam (Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand), Netherlands (Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand) and the Group A Playoff Winner (Eden Park).

The USA will get some offensive firepower back on this roster in the form of NWSL MVP nominees Mallory Pugh (11 goals in NWSL) and Alex Morgan (15 goals), both of whom missed the October European tour. Morgan enters the November FIFA window with 198 international appearances and is on the verge of becoming just the 13th player in USWNT history to amass 200 caps.

Midfielder Taylor Kornieck, who was unavailable for selection for the European tour due to an ankle injury, also returns to the roster. Defender Emily Fox, who played only 22 minutes in Europe, returns, as does 2021 Olympic bronze medalist and 2019 World Cup winner Adrianna Franch, who has enjoyed a stellar season with the Kansas City Current in helping the club to the 2022 NWSL Championship Game.

The roster includes three NWSL end-of-season award winners in Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), the Golden Boot winner, Most Valuable Player Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC) and Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC). Smith also won the MVP of the NWSL Championship Game after scoring to help lead the Thorns to their third NWSL title.

TICKETS
Tickets for both matches are on-sale via ussoccer.com. The match at Red Bull Arena is trending towards a capacity crowd with more than 24,000 tickets sold. Just over 3,000 tickets remain to be sold for the match at DVR PNK Stadium. For the match in Ft. Lauderdale only, groups of 20 or more are still available and fans can also order online at ussoccer.com. Coaches Circle and Presidents Circle members supporting the U.S. Soccer Development Fund can receive individual customer support and concierge services for their ticketing needs. Click here or contact circles@ussoccer.org for more information.