[MEET THE TEAM] The USA begins its quest for its third Under-20 Women’s World Cup title Monday against Ghana in Hiroshima. The 2002 championship team includedRachel Buehler and Heather O’Reilly while the 2008 team was led by forwards AlexMorgan and Sydney Leroux, all 2012 Olympic gold-medalists. Who will be the next U.S. stars?
GOALKEEPERS
#1 Bryane Heaberlin (North Carolina)
Likely starter at 2012 Under-20 Women’s World Cup after serving as backup twoyears ago. Hard-working, brave and a good communicator. Enrolled at Carolina in the winter.
#18 Abby Smith (Texas)
Has been through U.S.youth system with Heaberlin going back to U-17s. Will play for Texas in her home state as a freshman in the fall.
#21 Jami Kranich(Villanova)
Made a late run to earn a spot on the U-20s. Follows in the footsteps of USA’s Olympic alternate goalkeeper Jill Loyden at Villanova. Has good size and presence in thenet.
DEFENDERS
#2 Mollie Pathman (Duke)
Late addition to 2010 U-20 Women’s World Cup teamended up contributing off the bench at flank midfield. One of the USA’s calmest and most skillful players on the ball. Adds different dimensions to the U.S. attack from the left flank. 2010Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
#3 Cari Roccaro (Notre Dame)
Key player as one of the youngest players in the last cycle of U-17s andone of two U-20s age-eligible for the next cycle. Tough, vocal and a biting tackler. Long Island product will take her talents to Notre Dame.
#4 CrystalDunn (North Carolina)
A tremendous ball-winner and speedy outside back. Has perhaps the most international experience on the team, having been a starter at both the 2008 U-17Women’s World Cup and the 2010 U-17 Women’s World Cup, where played center back. 2012 Soccer America Preseason All-American. 2010 Soccer America Freshman of the Year. 2010 Soccer AmericaAll-Freshman first team.
#8 Julie Johnston (Santa Clara)
U.S. captain saw most of her time during this cycle at defensive midfielder couldalso see time at center back. She scored three goals at Concacaf qualifying. 2012 Soccer America Preseason All-American. 2010 Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
Minnesota product was the only player to play every minute of the qualifying tournament. Tough into the tackle and on airballs. Helped Florida State reach the 2011 College Cup. 2010 Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
#19 Stephanie Amack (Mustang Soccer)
Youngest player on the roster and only one currently in high school (Danville, Calif., Dougherty Valley). One of the tallest players on the roster (5-foot-10) and smooth on the ball. Will attendStanford in 2013.
MIDFIELDERS
#6 Morgan Brian (Virginia)
One of the USA’s most creative youngmidfielders. Scored 11 goals with eight assists as a freshman at Virginia. Will be one of the players to watch in Japan. 2012 Soccer America Preseason All-American. 2011 Soccer America Freshman of theYear. 2011 Soccer America MVPs second team. 2011 Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
#10 Vanessa DiBernardo (Illinois)
Daughter of formerU.S. national team player Angelo DiBernardo. The Big Ten Midfielder of the Year in 2011 with 17 goals led Illini to the 2011 conference tournament title. 2012 Soccer America Preseason All-American.2011 Soccer America MVPs second team. 2010 Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
#13 Sam Mewis (UCLA)
Uses tremendous height (5-foot-11) todominate in the air but is also excellent passer. One of two players on the team (along with Dunn) who has already played in two FIFA championships (2008 U-17 Women’s World Cup and 2010 U-20Women’s World Cup). Played with older Kristie, a senior at Boston College, at both championships. 2011 Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
#14 Mandy Laddish (Notre Dame)
Played one match at the 2008 U-17 Women’s World Cup Team in New Zealand. One of the heroes of NotreDame’s 2010 NCAA title when she scored the lone goal in the College Cup semifinal win over Ohio State on a spectacular strike. 2010 Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
One of the best young two-way midfielders in the country. Slick on the ball and hard into the tackle. The Indiana product is willing todo the hard work in the center of the field.
#17 Taylor Schram (Penn State)
Overcame injuries earlier this year to make the final roster asan uncapped player. Crafty and quick. Notched 12 goals and 12 assists for Penn State last season.
FORWARDS
#5Maya Hayes (Penn State)
Led nation with 31 goals for Nittany Lions last season. Also the top career scorer on U-20 team with 12 career international goals. Playing in four games at the2010 U-20 Women’s World Cup, starting two and picking up two assists. Dynamic one-on-one dribbler. 2012 Soccer America Preseason All-American. 2011 Soccer America MVPs first team.
#7 Kealia Ohai (North Carolina)
Pure winger excels at getting down the flanks and sending in crosses or cutting inside for shots. Set up both goals in the2012 Concacaf U-20 championship game with dynamic runs down the wings as the USA came back from a goal down to defeat Canada, 2-1. 2010 Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
Dynamic attacking player with great speed and skill. Scored dramatic game-winning goal in the dying minutes of the championshipgame of the Concacaf qualifying tournament against Canada. Pac-12 Freshman of the Year at national champion Stanford last season with 10 goals with 10 assists. 2011 Soccer America All-Freshman firstteam.
#11 Becca Wann (Richmond)
Two-sport star at UR made a late run to make the squad without the benefit of a cap. Scored 25 goals in twoseasons for the Spiders. 2012 Soccer America Preseason All-American.
#12 Katie Stengel (Wake Forest)
Scored three goals with two assists infour matches in Concacaf qualifying. Strength will prove difficult to contain at the Women’s World Cup. One of the strongest strikers in the country, ACC Offensive Player of the Year last seasonwith 19 goals. 2012 Soccer America Preseason All-American. 2011 Soccer America MVPs first team. 2010 Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
#20 KellyCobb (Duke)
First player from Alaska to represent the USA in a FIFA championship at any level. Her strength and speed make her a real threat. Scored 11 goals for Duke as a freshman in itsrun to College Cup final. 2011 Soccer America All-Freshman first team.
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