FCKC players dominate squad for Mexico game

• by Soccer America , Aug 22, 2013

[USA WOMEN] Six players from FC Kansas City, including NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Nicole Barnhart and Erika Tymrak, who won the 2013 NWSL Rookie of the Year Award, are among the 18 players U.S. women's national team head coach Tom Sermanni has named for the match against Mexico on Sept. 3 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

The game will be the first for the USA following the conclusion of the inaugural National Women's Soccer League season. It will also be the first women's national team game broadcast live on Fox Sports 1.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed the NWSL matches this summer and I know all the players will be sharp for the game against Mexico," said Sermanni in a statement. "We have several key players out with injuries, but I'm pleased we were able to call in a few new players to give them a brief look at this event. Looking forward, all the players need and deserve a break, so after this match we'll give them the rest of September off and get ready for our activity in mid-October."

As the USA will have just one practice session before the match -- a public session on Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. at RFK Stadium -- Sermanni named just 18 players, all of whom will suit up for the game.

Sermanni chose not to call up any of the USA's European-based players with the exception of Yael Averbuch, who will already be on the East Coast to attend a wedding.

Tymrak and FC Kansas City teammate, defender Leigh Ann Robinson, earned their first call-ups. The roster features two college players in Crystal Dunn from North Carolina (six caps) and Morgan Brian from Virginia (one cap).

Alex Morgan, who was injured two weeks ago and whose status for Portland's NWSL playoff run is still to be determined, was named for the match but will not play if she is not deemed healthy.

"We will evaluate Alex's recovery from her injury when she comes into camp," said Sermanni. "At this point, the most important thing is that she is completely fit and healthy. If our medical staff says she's ready to play, then she'll play."

U.S. Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)
DEFENDERS (6): Rachel Buehler (Portland Thorns FC), Crystal Dunn (Univ. of North Carolina), Kristie Mewis (FC Kansas City), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Leigh Ann Robinson (FC Kansas City), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Yael Averbuch (Gothenburg FC/SWE), Morgan Brian (Univ. of Virginia), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Carli Lloyd (Western New York Flash), Heather O'Reilly (Boston Breakers), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC), Erika Tymrak (FC Kansas City)
FORWARDS (3): Sydney Leroux (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Abby Wambach (Western New York Flash)