AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Following a trial and training camp, U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach David Passmore has named the 22-athlete squad that will travel to Auckland, New Zealand for training, including two official matches against the host nation. Taking place from January 8 to 23, the USWNT formally returns to the pitch following competion at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in July and hosting Germany in November.
“This is an exciting time for the program and after a successful trial and training series against Germany in Charlotte before Thanksgiving - everyone is excited to start the buildup to Nations Cup, potential World Cup qualification, and of course with one eye on LA28 in the future,” commented Passmore. “That said, it is important we manage athletes carefully and a number of athletes were not considered for the trip based on careful athlete management and injuries.”
This squad features mix of established rostered athletes and some new players that performed well at the trial, during the Germany practice games and throughout the college season. The depth has allowed Passmore and the coaching staff the ability to try new formations, athletes in different positions and is aiming to push the group toward the next level.
USWNT Tour Roster #
Lucy Adams (Andover, Mass.), Carter Ayers (Wilmington, Del.), Sanne Caarls (Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands), Jans Croon (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Katie Dixon (Cary, N.C.), Phia Gladieux (Oley, Pa.), Fusine Govaert (Bedford, N.Y.), Ally Hammel (Duxbury, Mass.), Ryleigh Heck (Ocean City, N.J.), Josie Hollamon (Delmar, Del.), Kelee Lepage (Honey Brook, Pa.), Daniela Mendez-Trendler (Reistertown, Md.), Caroline Ramsey (Morristown, N.J.), Kealsie Reeb (Seaford, Va.), Hope Rose (Dauphin, Pa.), Mia Schoenbeck (Langrange, Ky.), Meredith Sholder (Fleetwood, Pa.), Annabel Skubisz (Houston, Texas), Cassie Sumfest (Lewisburg, Pa.), Makenna Webster (St. Louis Mo.), Beth Yeager (Greenwich, Conn.), Maddie Zimmer (Hershey, Pa.)
Nine Olympians and a Paris reserve were strategically not considered for the tour for a multitude of reasons. Those athletes are Kelsey Bing (Houston, Texas), Leah Crouse (Virginia Beach, Va.), Emma DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.), Amanda Golini (Randolph, N.J.), Karlie Kisha (Hamburg, Pa.), Ashley Sessa (Schwenksville, Pa.), Abby Tamer (Dexter, Mich.) and Megan Valzonis (San Diego, Calif.). Both Ashley Hoffman (Mohnton, Pa.) and Jenny Rizzo (Hershey, Pa.) were selected to compete in the Hockey India League from December 28 to February 1. Brooke DeBerdine (Millersville, Pa.) recently announced her retirement from Team USA.
USWNT Schedule (ET) #
Saturday, January 18 9:00 PM
Sunday, January 19 11:40 PM
The No. 13 USWNT will use the New Zealand tour as part of their final preparations before the FIH Hockey Nations Cup set to take place February 24 to March 2, 2025 in Santiago, Chile.
“It will be good to see how the group matches up against New Zealand, who will be keen to avenge the defeat in the Olympic Qualifier last January,” added Passmore.
“Being named to the New Zealand Tour squad does not guarantee that an athlete is on the U.S. Women’s National Team. The tour will allow for further evaluation and a new squad will be named in 2025.”
For more information, visit the USWNT vs. New Zealand Event Page.
