PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan, midfielder Tobin Heath and defender Rachel Van Hollebeke were named to the 24-player U.S. Women’s National Team roster for a pair of international friendlies against France and England, it was announced today.
These matches will be the first of 10 matches leading up to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada in June. The United States takes on France on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 9 a.m. (Pacific) in Lorient with a live broadcast on ESPN2. The trip concludes with a match against England on Friday, Feb. 13, at 12 p.m. (Pacific) in Milton Keynes. Friday’s match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1.
The United States is 14-0-2 all-time against France and 7-3-1 all-time against England. In their last meeting, the United States and France played to a 2-2 draw on June 19, 2014, while this will be the first meeting between the United States and England since 2011.
Morgan, 25, appeared in 14 matches (13 starts) for Thorns FC after missing the first half of the 2014 NWSL 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. Prior to suffering an ankle injury during the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championships, Morgan appeared in seven matches (4 starts), recording five goals and four assists for the United States in 2014.
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.
Van Hollebeke, 29, who spent the offseason playing with Iga FC in Japan, appeared in 12 matches (9 starts) during the 2014 regular season with Thorns FC. The 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 March at the Algarve Cup in Portugal on March 4 against Norway.
