PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC forward Alex Morgan, midfielders Tobin Heath and Allie Long and defender Rachel Van Hollebeke have been named to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for a pair of upcoming international friendlies against Mexico on Sept. 13 and Sept. 18.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will face CONCACAF-rival Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. (Pacific) at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The match will be streamed live on ussoccer.com. The two teams will square off for a second time on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m. (Pacific) at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y. Thursday’s match will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
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, while ranking among league leaders in shots (56) and shots on goal (36). Morgan has earned three caps in 2014 and registered a brace as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw against France on June 19.
Heath, 26, made five appearances (all starts) for Thorns FC during the 2014 regular season, battling a knee injury late in the season. In 2014, Heath has recorded six caps with the U.S. Women’s National Team and registered an assist against France on June 19.
Long, 27, finished the 2014 NWSL regular season ranked tied for fifth in the league with nine goals, appearing in 22 matches (20 starts) for Thorns FC. Long made her U.S. Women’s National Team debut May 8 against Canada and has since earned four caps this year. Long earned her first start for the United States on June 19 against France, while also tallying her first career point and assist.
Van Hollebeke, 29, appeared in 12 matches (9 starts) for Thorns FC as she was sidelined for part of the season due to injuries. Part of the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for two friendlies against France in June, Van Hollebeke did not appear in either match. Van Hollebeke has earned four caps in 2014 and last appeared in a match for the United States against China PR on April 10.
This will be the first extended training period U.S Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has had with the team since she was officially named to the position on May 16. It also will be the final camp and matches before Ellis names a 20-player roster that will attempt to qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship being held in Kansas City, Kan.; Bridgeview, Ill.; Washington, D.C.; and Chester, Pa., from Oct. 15-24.
