W-League Feature
Monday, January 6, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – A number of former W-League standouts, led by Abby Wambach, Sydney Leroux and Becky Sauerbrunn, were named by U.S. Women’s National Team coach Tom Sermanni for a week-long training camp in Carson, Calif. at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center.
Overall, 20 members of the 28-players squad are W-League alumni, with other veterans such as Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Sounders Women), Heather O’Reilly and Carli Lloyd (New Jersey Wildcats) being joined by emerging talents Crystal Dunn (Long Island Rough Riders) and Amber Brooks (New Jersey Wildcats).
Leroux, who starred for both the Vancouver Whitecaps Women and Seattle Sounders Women, had a breakout year for the national team in 2013 as she recorded 10 goals in 15 appearances, second only to former Rochester Ravens forward Wambach, who had 11.
Two selections from the 2012 W-League All-League team were also named, with former New Jersey Wildcats midfielder Yael Averbuch and Seattle Sounders Women defender Stephanie Cox both called into the squad. Averbuch is set to return to action in the United States this spring after joining the Washington Spirit, while Cox continues to feature in the Pacific Northwest with the Seattle Reign.
Sauerbrunn and FC Kansas City teammate Erika Tymrak were both named after standout seasons in the NWSL this past summer. Sauerbrunn, who played for D.C. United Women, was named the NWSL Defender of the Year, while former Bradenton Athletics midfielder Tymrak claimed Rookie of the Year honors.
Four of the five goalkeepers called into camp bring W-League experience, with ex-Seattle Sounders Women goalkeeper Hope Solo being joined by Ashlyn Harris (LA Blues), Jill Loyden (Hudson Valley Quickstrike) and Alyssa Naeher (Western Mass Lady Pioneers) in the squad. Harris is joined by three fellow Blues, with Whitney Engen, Lauren Holiday and Christen Press all selected.
The training camp, which begins on Wednesday, begins an important year for the USWNT as it looks to build toward the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The first game of the new year arrives on January 31 as the U.S. hosts Canada at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.