USWNT Olympic Roster Released: Who Made the Cut?

June 23, 2021
By Rohtas Wadera

The wait is finally over. USWNT fans have been anxiously waiting to see who would make the trip to Tokyo this summer. Unfortunately, only 18 spots were available, which means at least one fan favorite was left off the roster. So, let’s take a closer look at the roster in terms of who made it and any surprising omissions. Here’s the USWNT Olympic Roster representing the United States this summer.

The #Tokyo2020 #USWNT Olympic Roster is ????! ??⚽️#OneNationOneTeam #RoadToTokyo

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) June 23, 2021

Based on our predictions we posted earlier in the week, most everyone expected to be included was – except for one player.

The Roster

Goalkeepers: Alyssa Naeher, Adrianna Franch

Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn, Kelley O’Hara, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson

Midfielders: Kristie Mewis, Sam Mewis, Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Julie Ertz

Forwards: Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, Christen Press, Megan Rapinoe

Alternates: Jane Campbell, Catarina Macario, Lynn Williams, Casey Kreuger

The one inclusion everyone is surprised but also happy about has to be Tobin Heath. There were a lot of question marks surrounding her health. Her last season with Manchester United was cut short due to injury, but the layoff was so long this might’ve been a goal she’d had in mind all along.

As long as she’s fully fit and ready, then there’s no reason why Heath should not go to Tokyo. If the USWNT is getting the player that we saw at Manchester United with no nagging injuries, this is a great boost for the United States. Likewise, Julie Ertz is also expected to be ready for the Olympics. Her name is all but written in sharpie on the USWNT line-up sheet when she’s fit, so her inclusion won’t surprise many (despite the knee injury she suffered at the beginning of the NWSL season).

With Heath and Ertz getting selected, two players had a chance of going but, unfortunately, didn’t end up making the cut. Midge Purce seemed like more of a candidate at this point because of how well she’s been playing for both club and county.

It felt like Purce deserved to go based on her body of work from the last year and a half, and the goal in the Summer Series should’ve helped her case. However, when it comes down to it, a healthy Tobin Heath is going to make it over Midge Purce almost every time. However, the fact that Purce wasn’t selected as an alternate is a travesty. Lynn Williams got one of the last spots as an alternate.

Lynn Williams might’ve made the roster if the Olympics happened as intended last year. Williams proved she can be a creator on the right wing with her pace, dribbling, and crossing ability. It would’ve been nice to see her get a spot as well, but again with only 18 spots, someone had to get left out. Of course, if someone gets hurt before or during the tournament, Williams does have a spot as an alternate.

NWSL fans will be happy to see Kristie Mewis make her first major tournament roster. Her journey to this place is one to admire, and she’s certainly earned her chance to represent the USA with her club and national team performances in the last couple of years.

Asked Vlatko about K. Mewis:

"Very simply for Kristie — she's a product of the NWSL. She played extremely well in the league in the last year and a half or so. She earned herself an opportunity, and then she took full advantage of it every game she came in." #USWNT

— Meg Linehan (@itsmeglinehan) June 23, 2021

All told, this probably is the best possible roster the USWNT could’ve put together from a pure talent perspective; it is truly 18 of their best who are going. Some players simply were not rewarded for their great play for club teams. Notably, Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris have not been in the last couple of USWNT camps and are on the outside looking in despite their long national team careers. This team looks more than ready to go for Gold at Tokyo. Hopefully, they make history in the process.

Featured Image via US Soccer