W-League Feature
Thursday, July 3, 2014
TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. U20 National Team coach Michelle French named 27 players for the United States’ final two-week training camp prior the FIFA U20 World Cup in Canada. The camp is set to be held from July 9-23 in Seattle, Wash., as nine players with W-League experience look to earn their berths in the final squad.
A pair of former All-League selections lead the way, as former Colorado Rush forward Lindsey Horan and former Atlanta Silverbacks forward Savannah Jordan both maintained their positions in French’s squad. Horan earned All-League selection in 2011 as a 17-year-old as she led the Rush with eight goals in 10 appearances, while Jordan was named in 2013 after recording eight goals in 10 games for Atlanta.
A contingent of talented players who have competed in the W-League this summer were also named, with the Braddock Road Stars Elite duo of Kaleigh Riehl and Carly Baldwin both earning call-ups.
The Dayton Dutch Lions FC’s Rose Lavelle, who took Player of the Week honors on June 4, was also named, and is joined in the midfield contingent by the North Jersey Valkyries’ Nickolette Driesse and Washington Spirit Reserves’ Andi Sullivan. Driesse in particular has played well for the Valkyries this season, with three goals in six games in the Northeastern Conference.
Sullivan’s Spirit Reserves teammate Brittany Basinger, who was part of the club’s run to the W-League Championships last season, was also named to the squad, while former Pali Blues player Makenzy Doniak joins Horan and Jordan in the forward contingent.
The 2014 FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup kicks off on August 5, with the U.S. set to take on Germany in its opening contest in Edmonton. The United States will also face Brazil (August 8) and China (August 12) as they begin the defense of their championship won in Japan two years ago.