Making a List: NWSL in the Tournament of Nations

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Jul 27, 2017

The USA opens play in the Tournament of Nations -- U.S. Soccer's newest international women's tournament -- when it faces Australia in Seattle on Thursday night. The first game at CenturyLink Field pits Brazil against Japan.

Megan Rapinoe and Australian Samantha Kerr, who are early contenders for NWSL MVP honors, head a group of 34 players from the women's league on the four teams.

Rapinoe (12 goals), Kerr (11), Brazil's Marta (8) and U.S. international Christen Press (8) lead the NWSL in scoring.

Australia (5):
GOALKEEPER: Lydia Williams (Houston Dash).
DEFENDERS: Steph Catley (Orlando Pride), Alanna Kennedy (Orlando Pride), Hayley Raso (Portland Thorns).
FORWARD: Sam Kerr (Sky Blue FC).

Brazil (6):
DEFENDERS: Bruna Benites (Houston Dash), Monica (Orlando Pride).
MIDFIELDERS: Andressinha (Houston Dash), Camila (Orlando Pride), Debinha (North Carolina Courage).
FORWARD: Marta (Orlando Pride).

Japan (1):
MIDFIELDER: Rumi Utsugi (Seattle Reign).

USA (22):
GOALKEEPERS: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Abby Smith (Boston Breakers)
DEFENDERS: Abby Dahlkemper (North Carolina Courage), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Taylor Smith (North Carolina Courage)
MIDFIELDERS: Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns), Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage), Margaret Purce (Boston Breakers), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign)
FORWARDS: Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns), Sydney Leroux (FC Kansas City), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage)