Head coach Natalia Astrain has named the 21 players who will represent the USA at the 2022 Under-17 Women’s World Cup to be held in India Oct. 11-30.
U.S. schedule:
Tuesday, Oct. 11. vs. India (10:30 a.m. ET on FS2) in Bhubaneswar
Friday, Oct. 14. vs. Brazil (7 a.m. ET on FS2) in Bhubaneswar
Monday Oct. 17. vs. Morocco (10:30 a.m. ET on FS2) in Margao
This spring’s Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship in the Dominican Republic, where the USA won all seven of its games, was its first international competition due to Covid-19 restrictions. Most recently. Astrain’s U-17s traveled to Spain, where they beat and tied Spain and beat Germany.
“I give a lot of credit to players for how much this group has grown in a short time,” she said. “They are a very united team, not only in their dedication to playing our style of soccer on the field, but in supporting each other off the field.”
• Three players play for NWSL academies. Besides Abigail Gundry and Lauren Martinho with the North Carolina Courage academy, midfielder Ella Sanchez — daughter of Mario Sanchez, who leads the Louisville City and Racing Louisville academies — plays for Racing Louisville’s academy.
• Six players on the World Cup roster did not take part in 2022 U-17 qualifying: goalkeeper Valentina Amaral, defenders Ella Emri and Jordyn Bugg, forwards Emeri Adames and Samantha Smith and Sanchez.
• The squad includes midfielder Mia Bhuta, the first-ever player of Indian descent to represent the USA in a women’s world championship. Her father was born in Mumbai and came to the USA when he was 16 years old.
• San Diego Surf, Solar SC, Internationals SC and the Courage academy have two players each on the U-17s.
• One player — Gisele Thompson — plays for a Total Futbol Academy boys team in MLS Next.
• Melina Rebimbas and Amalia Villarreal lead the USA with eight goals each at the U-17 level.
• Sixteen players were born in 2005 and five born in 2006.
U.S. Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Abigail Gundry (NC Courage academy), Victoria Safradin (Internationals SC), Valentina Amaral (Florida Kraze Crush)
DEFENDERS (6): Ella Emri (San Diego Surf), Nicola Fraser (Real Colorado National), Jorydn Bugg (San Diego Surf), Savannah King (Slammers FC HB Koge), Cameron Roller (Solar SC), Gisele Thompson (Total Futbol Academy)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Mia Bhuta (Internationals SC), Riley Jackson (Concorde Fire), Charlotte Kohler (MVLA), Lauren Martinho (NC Courage academy), Ella Sanchez (Racing Louisville academy)
FORWARDS (7): Emeri Adames (Solar SC), Onyeka Gamero (Beach FC), Nicollette Kiorpes (NEFC), Melina Rebimbas (PDA), Samantha Smith (Boise Thorns), Taylor Suarez (Charlotte SA), Amalia Villarreal (Michigan Jaguars).
Photo (Onyeka Gamero, left, and Cameron Roller): Oscar J. Barroso/ISI Photos