Mallory Pugh, the 18-year-old attacker who played in three games at the Rio Olympics and scored in a 2-2 tie with Colombia, is part of Coach Michelle French’s20-player roster for the U-20 Women’s NTC Invitational at which the USA will play South Korea (Sept. 14), England (Sept. 16) and Brazil (Sept. 18).
The USA, Brazil and South Korea arepreparing for the 2016 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea (Nov. 13-Dec. 3).
Mallory Pugh
Pugh, who played inthe 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup, was the captain, leading scorer (7 goals) and Golden Ball winner at 2015 Concacaf U-20 Women’s Championship the USA won en route to qualifying for the 2016 U-20World Cup.
The roster includes three players who have been playing mainly for the U-18 national team: the San Diego Surf’s Julie Doyle, Shea Moyer ofPennsylvania’s FC Revolution, and Parker Goines of Oklahoma’s TSC Hurricane.
U.S. U-20 women’s national team
GOALKEEPERS (3): Rose Chandler (Penn State; Atlanta, Ga.), Brooke Heinsohn (NEFC; Norfolk, Mass.), Casey Murphy (Rutgers; Bridgewater, N.J.)
DEFENDERS (7):Madeline Elliston (Penn State; Omaha, Neb.), Emily Fox (FC Virginia; Ashburn, Va.), Sabrina Flores (Notre Dame; Livingston, N.J.), Ellie Jean (Penn State; Coventry, Conn.), Natalie Jacobs (Notre Dame;Coto de Caza, Calif.), Taylor Otto (CASL; Apex, N.C.), Kaleigh Riehl (Penn State; Fairfax Station, Va.).
MIDFIELDERS (7): Marley Canales (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.),Katie Cousins (Tennessee; Forest, Va.), Savannah DeMelo (Beach FC; Bellflower, Calif.), Kelcie Hedge (Washington; Post Falls, Idaho), Emily Ogle (Penn State; Strongsville, Ohio), Courtney Petersen(Virginia; Canton, Mich.), Parker Roberts (Florida; Leawood, Kansas).
FORWARDS (3): Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado; Highlands Ranch, Colo.); Jessie Scarpa (North Carolina;Lakeland, Fla.), Ally Watt (Texas A&M; Colorado Springs, Colo.).