PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC announced today that forward Alex Morgan and defender Rachel Buehler have been called up by the U.S. Women’s National Team for an international friendly match between the United States and the Canadian Women’s National Team on Sunday, June 2, at BMO Field in Toronto.
The match, which will be broadcast on June 2 at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific) on ESPNews, marks the first friendly for the U.S. Women’s National Team during the inaugural season of the NWSL. It is the first time the United States and Canada will meet since a dramatic London 2012 Olympic semifinal match on Aug. 6 that saw the U.S. Women’s National Team emerge with a 4-3 win following a game-winning goal by Morgan in the 123rd minute. The game is also part of U.S. Soccer’s Centennial Celebration weekend, which includes the U.S. Men’s National Team facing Germany at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on June 2.
Morgan and Buehler will depart for Toronto to join the national team following Saturday’s match at Seattle Reign FC. The pair will miss the next Thorns FC home match on June 1 against the Chicago Red Stars and return to Portland on June 3.
Morgan, 23, has scored 42 goals in 65 international appearances since making her U.S. Women’s National Team debut in 2010. During the 2013 calendar year, Morgan has appeared in seven of eight matches for the United States, recording four goals and three assists. U.S. Soccer’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2012, the Thorns FC forward is tied for first in the NWSL with four goals.
Buehler, 27, earned her 100th international cap for the U.S. Women’s National Team on March 6 against Iceland at the Algarve Cup in Portugal, becoming the 29th player to reach 100 appearances for the national team. The Thorns FC center back has appeared in four matches for the United States in 2013, scoring her fourth international goal against Iceland to commemorate her milestone 100th cap. For Portland, Buehler has played every minute of all six matches this season.
The NWSL is represented by 15 of the 21 players called into camp ahead of the already sold-out match between the two neighboring countries. The United States is unbeaten in 31 consecutive matches dating back to its last loss, a 1-0 defeat against Japan on March 5, 2012.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Tobin Heath, who will join Thorns FC following the conclusion of her contract in France, was also called up by U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Tom Sermanni.
Heath, 24, has scored eight goals in 67 international appearances for the United States, including recording one goal and two assists in seven matches this year.
