Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Former BYU star Ashley Hatch is back in the national team picture.
The reigning National Women’s Soccer League rookie of the year was one of 22 players called up by coach Jill Ellis to the U.S. women’s national team Wednesday.
Utah Royals FC had two players called into camp, both defenders, by Ellis in center back Becky Sauerbrunn and outside back Kelley O’Hara. The duo will be eligible for selection by Royals coach Laura Harvey for the squad’s NWSL opener Saturday at Orlando before reporting for national team duty.
While only 18 players will be selected to dress for both friendly matches, Ellis produced an abbreviated camp roster for the national team's training opportunity. Among those who were not included on the roster was U.S. standout forward Christen Press.
Hatch, the Gilbert, Arizona, native who current plays for the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, joins U.S. star Crystall Dunn, Sky Blue FC’s Savannah McCaskill, Orlando’s Alex Morgan, Washington teammate Mallory Pugh, Seattle’s Megan Rapine and former North Carolina teammate Lynn Williams among the seven forwards who will report to camp prior to games April 5 and April 8 against Mexico.
"My staff and I are really looking forward to the NWSL season," Ellis said in a Q&A with U.S. Soccer. "With a lot of players changing clubs, and some quality younger players coming into the league, it will be fascinating to see how the teams come together and pursue success."
Hatch is making her third appearance with the national team, earning one cap as a substitute during a friendly in October 2016 against Switzerland at Rio Tinto Stadium. The 5-foot-9 forward scored 47 goals with 21 assists in four seasons with the Cougars, ranking among the program’s top-10 goal scorers all-time.
Sauerbrunn is making her first appearance with the national team since missing January camp with a foot injury that caused her to miss the squad’s SheBelieves Cup.
See the full 22-player roster below.
U.S. women’s national team roster (March 21, 2018)
Name | Pos | Club |
---|---|---|
Jane Campbell | GK | Houston Dash |
Ashlyn Harris | GK | Orlando Pride |
Alyssa Naeher | GK | Chicago Red Stars |
Abby Dahlkemper | DF | North Carolina Courage |
Tierna Davidson | DF | Stanford |
Sofia Huerta | DF | Chicago Red Stars |
Kelley O’Hara | DF | Utah Royals |
Casey Short | DF | Chicago Red Stars |
Becky Sauerbrunn | DF | Utah Royals |
Emily Sonnett | DF | Portland Thorns |
Morgan Brian | MF | Olympique Lyon (France) |
Lindsey Horan | MF | Portland Thorns |
Carli Lloyd | MF | Sky Blue FC |
Allie Long | MF | Seattle Reign |
Andy Sullivan | MF | Washington Spirit |
Crystal Dunn | FW | North Carolina Courage |
Ashley Hatch | FW | Washington Spirit |
Savannah McCaskill | FW | Sky Blue FC |
Alex Morgan | FW | Orlando Pride |
Mallory Pugh | FW | Washington Spirit |
Megan Rapinoe | FW | Seattle Reign |
Lynn Williams | FW | North Carolina Courage |