Who’s who on the USWNT Women’s World Cup roster for 2023

Meet the U.S. women’s national team ahead of the 2023 World Cup:

Alyssa Naeher | Goalkeeper 

Age: 35 | Caps: 91 | Hometown: Stratford, Conn. 

The backup goalie in 2015 and the starter in 2019, Naeher is back for her third World Cup to be the team’s backbone in net. But at 35, is it her last? 

Casey Murphy | Goalkeeper 

Age: 27 | Caps: 14 | Hometown: Bridgewater, N.J. 

Widely expected as the team’s successor to Naeher, she will likely serve as the primary backup at her first World Cup. 

Aubrey Kingsbury | Goalkeeper 

Age: 31 | Caps: 1 | Hometown: Cincinnati 

A strong season with the Spirit, with which she won the NWSL championship in 2021, earned the veteran a spot on the roster. 

Alana Cook | Defender 

Age: 26 | Caps: 25 | Hometown: Far Hills, N.J. 

Making her World Cup debut, Cook is expected to start at center back. She previously spurned the English national team for the USWNT. 

Emily Fox | Defender 

Age: 25 | Caps: 29 | Hometown: Ashburn, Va. 

Also making her World Cup debut, Fox has featured at both right and left back for the USWNT, where she is expected to start. 

Naomi Girma | Defender 

Age: 23 | Caps: 16 | Hometown: San Jose, Calif. 

A starting role at center back beckons for yet another World Cup debutant … notice a trend? The reigning NWSL Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year with San Diego Wave FC, she is a burgeoning star. 

Crystal Dunn | Defender 

Age: 31 | Caps: 132 | Hometown: Rockville Centre, N.Y. 

A Long Island native, the versatile Dunn, who was a key part of the 2019 team, can play anywhere on the pitch, but is expected to slot in at left back. Returning for her second World Cup, Dunn brings needed experience to an otherwise inexperienced defense. 

Kelley O’Hara | Defender 

Age: 34 | Caps: 157 | Hometown: Fayetteville, Ga. 

The longtime mainstay at right back is back for her fourth World Cup, and likely her last. Regardless of how much she plays, O’Hara, who is in her first season with Gotham FC, will be a valuable leader and mentor. 

Sofia Huerta | Defender 

Age: 30 | Caps: 30 | Hometown: Boise, Idaho 

A teammate of Cook’s at OL Reign in Seattle, the World Cup debutant will supply strong competition at right back, where she provides a more attack-minded option. 

Emily Sonnett | Defender 

Age: 29 | Caps: 75 | Hometown: Marietta, Ga. 

A 2019 winner, Sonnett joins her OL Reign teammates as a versatile option who can fill in at both center back or outside back. 

Julie Ertz | Midfielder 

Age: 31 | Caps: 118 | Hometown: Mesa, Ariz. 

A 2015 and 2019 champion and standout, the Angel City FC veteran is back for her third World Cup after dealing with both a long injury absence and maternity leave. The longtime engine in the heart of the midfield, Ertz both doggedly shields the defense and intricately sparks attacks with her between-the-lines passing. 

Lindsey Horan | Midfielder 

Age: 29 | Caps: 129 | Hometown: Golden, Colo. 

Back for her second World Cup, the Lyon star can play both as a deeper, more defensive midfielder as well as a role higher up the pitch closer to a No. 10. Wherever she is, Horan will be in the middle of all the action. 

Savannah DeMelo | Midfielder 

Age: 25 | Caps: 1 | Hometown: Bellflower, Calif. 

Named to the roster without any international caps, DeMelo made her USWNT debut in a pre-tournament send-off match against Wales. Strong play at Racing Louisville earned her one of the final spots on the roster. 

Rose Lavelle | Midfielder 

Age: 28 | Caps: 88 | Hometown: Cincinnati 

One of the brightest standouts in 2019 with three goals, including one in the final against the Netherlands, Lavelle has been nursing a knee injury that has threatened her full availability. But if she’s ready to go, Lavelle is a massive piece to the midfield equation. 

Andi Sullivan | Midfielder 

Age: 27 | Caps: 45 | Hometown: Lorton, Va. 

Whether in a starting role or off the bench, the defensive midfielder should see ample action, particularly when protecting leads. Playing in her first World Cup, she’s at her best breaking up opponents’ advances. 

Kristie Mewis | Midfielder 

Age: 32 | Caps: 52 | Hometown: Hanson, Mass. 

Her sister Samantha was on the 2019 roster, and now with her in the fold this year, it marks the first time in USWNT history sisters have both represented the team at the World Cup. The Gotham FC midfielder has long been on the outside looking in, and finally gets a crack at a lifelong dream. 

Ashley Sanchez | Midfielder 

Age: 24 | Caps: 25 | Hometown: Monrovia, Calif. 

Although she might find it hard to secure a starting role, Sanchez provides flair and an aggressive, offensive mindset. In her first World Cup, she should be a strong option off the bench to shake things up. 

Megan Rapinoe | Forward 

Age: 38 | Caps: 199 | Hometown: Redding, Calif. 

The longtime leader and face of the USWNT, Rapinoe announced this will be her fourth and final World Cup and she will retire after her season with OL Reign ends. The focal point in attack on the 2015 and 2019 winning teams as well as the 2011 runners-up squad, she’ll likely have more of a peripheral role in her swan song. 

Alex Morgan | Forward 

Age: 34 | Caps: 207 | Hometown: Diamond Bar, Calif. 

Rapinoe’s longtime partner in crime up top, Morgan has also been one of the main figures of the last three World Cup teams and now returns for her fourth. Although she hasn’t made a decision yet, could this be the last time we will see Morgan at a World Cup? 

Sophia Smith | Forward 

Age: 22 | Caps: 30 | Hometown: Windsor, Colo. 

Much of the attack is centered around Smith, who is the reigning NWSL MVP with Portland Thorns FC and will be one of the first names on the team sheet every game. Making her World Cup debut, can she dominate and leave her mark on the world stage as so many of her predecessors did? 

Trinity Rodman | Forward 

Age: 21 | Caps: 18 | Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif. 

Rodman is the second-youngest player on the roster and will be making her World Cup debut. Electric when dribbling at defenders, Rodman is also adept at leading the press and pressuring opposing defenders. 

Lynn Williams | Forward 

Age: 30 | Caps: 53 | Hometown: Fresno, Calif. 

Mallory Swanson’s injury created one of the most wide-open competitions at left wing, with Williams, who plays for Gotham FC, right in the middle of the mix at her first World Cup. 

Alyssa Thompson | Forward 

Age: 18 | Caps: 4 | Hometown: Studio City, Calif. 

The youngest player on the roster, but she was included for a reason. Could Thompson, enjoying a strong rookie season with Angel City FC, be this year’s breakout star?