A handful of veterans will lead a largely inexperienced U.S. Women's National Team into World Cup qualifying starting tonight in Cancun, Mexico.
U.S. Women’s World Cup Qualifying Kicks Off In Mexico
Just seven of the 20 women on the roster have ever played in a World Cup qualifier and head coach Pia Sundhage has never been the head coach of a World Cup team, although she was an assistant with China in 2007.
That doesn’t mean the team isn’t entirely without experience. Abby Wambach (142 caps), Kristine Lilly (349), Heather O’Reilly (127) and Shannon Boxx (129) all have extensive time with the national team. Goalkeeper Hope Solo is among the familiar names who won’t be playing as she is nursing a shoulder injury. In her place are a pair of relatively inexperienced players, Nicole Barnhart (24 caps) and Jill Loyden (1).
The Americans will open play against Haiti before playing Guatemala on Saturday and Costa Rica on Monday to round out their CONCACAF Group B play.
The U.S. is the favorite in their group and will likely play Canada or Mexico in the semifinals.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster
Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride), Jill Loyden (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders: Rachel Buehler (FC Gold Pride), Stephanie Cox (Boston Breakers), Ali Krieger (FFC Frankfurt), Amy LePeilbet (Boston Breakers), Heather Mitts (Philadelphia Independence), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (Washington Freedom)
Midfielders: Yael Averbuch (Sky Blue FC), Shannon Boxx (FC Gold Pride), Kristine Lilly (Boston Breakers), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia Independence), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC), Heather O’Reilly (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Chicago Red Stars)
Forwards: Lauren Cheney (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (California), Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence), Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom)
2010 CONCACAF Group B Qualifying Schedule
- vs. Haiti, Today, 8:30 p.m. ET, CONCACAF.com
- vs. Guatemala, Saturday, 8:30 p.m. CONCACAF.com
- vs. Costa Rica, Monday, 9:30 p.m. CONCACAF.com
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