The United States is not only the mecca of women's soccer, but also one of the leading countries in terms of promoting any event. They know how to sell themselves in the most attractive way possible and one more example of this has been the impressive announcement with which they have communicated the list of the 23 soccer players who will play the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The American federation published a video yesterday on its social networks headed by the following message: "We asked several friends to help us with the announcement of this year's call for the World Cup." A video that starts with an institutional message from the President of the United States himself, Joe Biden, and his wife and that also has several stars from the world of cinema, music or sports.
Each one of the invited stars announces the name of a summoned, in the case of the singer Taylor Swift, for example, presents the world-renowned striker Alex Morgan, who will play his fourth World Cup in Australia.
Shaquille O'Neal announces the first World Cup call-up for Trinity Rodman, the daughter of legendary NBA player Dennis Rodman, and movie star Blake Lively introduces Lindsey Horan. They are not the only celebrities that appear in the video, the skier Mikaela Shiffrin, the surfing legend Kelly Slater or two historic American women's soccer such as Amy Rodríguez and Mia Hamm also participate.
Megan Rapinoe, who will turn 38 on July 5, and Alex Morgan, 33, protagonists of the two consecutive titles won at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, head the list announced this Monday by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) at their headquarters in Chicago (USA) The tournament, which will start on July 20, will see the two American stars fight for the third world title of their careers. Rapinoe, Morgan and defender Kelly O'Hara will play in Australia and New Zealand for the fourth World Cup of their careers, while goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and midfielder Julie Ertz will participate in their third World Cup.
The coach Vlatko Andonovski is carrying out a profound remodeling of the team and only nine of the 23 called up have played at least one World Cup in their careers. The United States team is drawn in Group E with the Netherlands, finalist in 2019, Portugal and Vietnam and will play their group stage matches in New Zealand.
"The challenge of selecting a team for the World Cup is never easy, but I am proud of the work and work ethic of the players. (...) The players have the most impact, they push themselves to be better and I know who as a group are very motivated to make our country proud at the World Cup," Andonovski said in a statement provided by the USSF.
Porteras: Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars).
Defensas : Alana Cook (OL Reign), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign).
Centrocampistas: Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC), Julie Ertz (Angel City FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit).
Delanteras : Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC).
