Three Utah Royals FC players named to U.S. women’s team’s World Cup roster
FILE - In this July 5, 2015, file photo, United States' Becky Sauerbrunn kisses the trophy as Lauren Holiday, left, and Kelley O'Hara, right, look on after the U.S. beat Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. If the defending champions make the field for soccer’s premier event in France next year, it will be Sauerbrunn’s third World Cup. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
As anticipated, three Utah Royals FC players will get their chance to help the United State’s Women’s National Team as it tries to win a second consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Becky Sauerbrunn, Christen Press and Kelley O’Hara were all named to the USWNT roster on Thursday. For Sauerbrunn and O’Hara, it will be their consecutive World Cup appearance. Press will play in her second consecutive World Cup.
The U.S. won the World Cup in 2015, and is considered one of the favorites to win it again this summer. The tournament starts June 7 and goes through July 7.
“I’m so incredibly honored to be representing the United States this summer,” Sauerbrunn said in a Royals release. “I was fortunate to be on the team that won four years ago and now I hope to bring the World Cup trophy back to the states and add a fourth star to our jersey.”
Sauerbrunn, Press and O’Hara played two games for the Royals — both of them wins — and left a few days ago to join the national team. The USWNT will play some friendlies in May before the tournament starts.
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Alex is an expat from Los Angeles who started his journalism career in 2013 after attempting, and failing, to become the next great rock star. He most recently covered local sports in Chico.