PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan, midfielders Tobin Heath and Allie Long and defender Rachel Van Hollebeke have been selected to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for a training camp from Jan. 5 – Jan. 25 at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif., it was announced today.
Morgan, 25, appeared in 14 matches (13 starts) for Thorns FC after missing the first half of the season while recovering from an ankle injury. The U.S. Women’s National Team forward finished the NWSL regular season with six goals and four assists. Morgan was named to the roster for the Brasilia Tournament, but did not participate in any matches as she continued to recover from her ankle injury suffered during the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championships in October. In 2014, Morgan appeared in seven matches (4 starts), recording five goals and four assists for the United States.
Heath, 26, made five appearances (all starts) for Thorns FC during the 2014 regular season. At the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championships, Heath appeared in four matches (3 starts), recording two goals and two assists as the United States finished first and qualified for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. Heath appeared in 16 matches (10 starts) for the United States, recording three goals and four assists in 2014.
Long, 27, returns to camp with the U.S. Women’s National Team for the first time since September. A NWSL Second XI selection, Long ranked tied for fifth in the league with nine goals, appearing in 22 matches (20 starts) during the regular season for Thorns FC. Long played in four matches for the United States, earning two starts, while recording her first career assist and point against France on June 19 in 2014, and made her debut on May 8 against Canada.
Van Hollebeke, 29, who has been playing with Iga FC in Japan during the offseason, also returns to camp for the first time since September. In her second season with Thorns FC, Van Hollebeke, who was sidelined for part of 2014 due to injury, appeared in 12 matches (9 starts) during the regular season. The experienced U.S. Women’s National Team defender played in four matches in 2014 for the United States, earning three starts.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will return to international play in Europe with a match against France in Lorient on Feb. 8, followed by a meeting with England on Feb. 13 in Milton Keynes. The entire 2015 schedule for the run-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be announced at a later date.
