Six months after winning the Women's World Cup, the United States women's national team will begin preparations for its next major tournament with something of a new-look squad.
Coach Jill Ellis has named the 26-player roster that will convene next month ahead of CONCACAF's Olympic qualifying tournament, with just 16 members of the World Cup-winning squad included.
Forward Amy Rodriguez is among the absentees, with the 28-year-old set to sit out much of 2016 while pregnant with her second child. Defender Christie Rampone also will miss the January camp after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery that will keep the 40-year-old sidelined for four to six weeks.
The U.S. team already found itself in a state of flux following the retirements of Lauren Holiday, Shannon Boxx, Lori Chalupny and Abby Wambach, while midfielder Megan Rapinoe is recovering a torn ACL suffered earlier this month.
The Americans will train Jan. 5-21 in Carson, California, before a friendly against Ireland on Jan. 23 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The Olympic qualifying tournament will be held Feb. 10-21 in Texas.
Ellis has handed a debut call-up to 17-year-old forward Mallory Pugh for the January camp, with the team's average age at 26.1 â down from 29.2 years old at the World Cup. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch also has been included on the roster, marking her first call-up since 2013.
Here is the United States squad in full:
Goalkeepers (4): Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) and Hope Solo (Seattle Reign).
Defenders (8): Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City) and Emily Sonnett (Virginia).
Midfielders (8): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Danielle Colaprico (Chicago Red Stars), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Horan (Paris Saint-Germain), Rose Lavelle (Wisconsin), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash) and Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City).
Forwards (6): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Sydney Leroux (Western New York Flash), Stephanie McCaffrey (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars) and Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado).
