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USWNT World Cup roster features a lot of new faces, but goal remains the same

June 27, 2023

U.S. forward Alyssa Thompson answers questions during the USWNT’s media day on Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Women’s World Cup begins next month in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

U.S. forward Trinity Rodman answers questions during the USWNT’s media day on Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Women’s World Cup begins next month in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

U.S. soccer stars Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and midfielder Lindsey Horan take questions from reporters during the USWNT’s media day on Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Women’s World Cup begins next month in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

U.S. midfielder Savannah Demelo meets with reporters during the USWNT’s media day on Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Women’s World Cup begins next month in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski speaks to the media during the team’s media day on Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Women’s World Cup begins next month in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

U.S. soccer star Alex Morgan answers a question during the USWNT’s media day on Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Women’s World Cup begins next month in Australia and New Zealand, and while Morgan has a lot of new teammates this time around, the Americans are still favored to win the tournament for a third consecutive time. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

U.S. midfielder Julia Ertz answers questions during the USWNT’s media day on Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Women’s World Cup begins next month in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe, left, speaks as teammate Alex Morgan looks on during the USWNT’s media day on Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Women’s World Cup begins next month in Australia and New Zealand, and while Rapinoe and Morgan have a lot of new teammates this time around, the Americans are still favored to win the tournament for a third consecutive time. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe, left, smiles as teammate Alex Morgan answers a question during the USWNT’s media day on Tuesday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The Women’s World Cup begins next month in Australia and New Zealand, and while Rapinoe and Morgan have a lot of new teammates this time around, the Americans are still favored to win the tournament for a third consecutive time. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

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CARSON — Some of the faces on the roster are new and the coach will be in his first FIFA World Cup, but the objective for the U.S. women’s soccer team heading into next month’s tournament isn’t changing.

“There’s only one thing on our mind,” USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski said Tuesday during Media Day at Dignity Health Sports Park. “Our goal is to win the World Cup. I don’t think anybody is thinking about anything different.”

For Andonovski, this will be his first World Cup at the helm of the national team. He was hired in October 2019.

He’s taking a team, that although it is going through a makeover, is ranked No. 1 in the world, according to the FIFA rankings and one that has already won four World Cups (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019 ) and is looking to become the first national team, men or women, to win a third consecutive World Cup.

This trip to Australia and New Zealand, however, might be the most challenging because, as some have said, the world is gaining ground on the U.S., which will also be without several key contributors (team captain Becky Sauerbrunn and forwards Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario).

“I think the competition started getting closer 25 years ago, but we just had a great staff that found a way to push this team and set the standards high,” Andonovski said. “We’re in one of the hardest groups. They’re all three different teams, but I think we have enough time to prepare for each separately.

“Our first goal is to win the group before moving on to the ultimate goals.”

The U.S. will open Group E play on July 21 against Vietnam, followed by matches against the Netherlands (July 26) and Portugal (Aug. 1). All of those will be played in New Zealand.

There are 14 players participating in their first World Cup, including Angel City FC’s Alyssa Thompson, who is the second youngest player to make a U.S. World Cup roster (18 years, 7 months) to Bellflower native Savannah DeMelo, who has yet to appear in a national team game.

“I’m not worrying about inexperience. With players like Megan (Rapinoe), Alex (Morgan) and Lindsay (Horan), I’m confident in knowing they’re going to lead the young group,” Andonovski said. “If I had to pick a group of players to lead, they would be the ones to lead.”

Rapinoe and Morgan are headed to their fourth World Cup, along with midfielder Kelly O’Hara. Morgan has played in the most World Cup games (18), scoring nine goals. Rapinoe has played in 17, also with nine goals.

“This is not a team that’s going to rest on their laurels,” Rapinoe said. “As one of the best teams in the world, you’re always on a razor’s edge around the World Cup because there is so much to fight for.

“That’s been the fuel for this team. We strive to be the best, try to win every game and continue to put our best foot forward and try to win the World Cup.”

The Americans will face Wales in a send-off match on July 9 in San Jose and then shortly afterward, make the journey to New Zealand for a chance to make history.

“This does feel different than any other World Cup,” Rapinoe said. “This one feels like a show up and show out kind of vibe. It will be incredible and an opportunity to blow the lid off for the women’s game.”

Orange County Register

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USWNT World Cup roster features a lot of new faces, but goal remains the same

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