More than Half the USWNT roster Consists of WPSL-Experienced Players
The Women’s Premier Soccer League has proven itself as America’s proving ground, helping young women develop into world-class players who can go on to represent our nation at the highest level.
The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), the largest women’s soccer league in the world, will have a strong presence at the 2019 FIFA World Cup in June with 12 former players named to the United States Women’s National Team.
With a strong representation on the top-ranked team in the world, the WPSL has proven itself in offering the highest level of developmental opportunities for amateur players in the United States.
Eleven WPSL clubs are represented with Florida Sol FC (Jacksonville) having two alumnae, Morgan Brian and Emily Sonnett.
“It is every young soccer players dream to represent their country in the World Cup,” WPSL President Sean Jones said. “We are honored to have been a part of the development process for these young women who now get to live that young girl’s dream.”
Alex Morgan (California Storm), Megan Rapinoe (Elk Grove Pride) and Tobin Heath (New York Fury) are making their third World Cup appearance and have a combined 457 national team caps among the three.
Seven WPSL alumnae are making their first World Cup appearance – Adrianna Franch (SoccerPlus CT), Rose Lavelle (Dayton Dutch Lions FC), Allie Long (New York Fury), Jessica McDonald (Phoenix Del Sol), Samantha Mewis (Boston Breakers Academy), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit Reserves) and Sonnett (Florida Sol FC, Chicago Red Stars Reserves).
Alyssa Naeher (Boston Aztec) and Brian (Florida Sol FC) are returning to the squad for a second World Cup after winning the 2015 title in their first appearances.
“The fact that over half of the players selected to represent the United States have played in the WPSL is a testament to the vision of the league’s founder Jerry Zanelli and the countless people who have been instrumental in the growth of this league,” said Jones.
“In addition, this is another piece of evidence as to the quality of players and clubs that make up the WPSL. We look forward to continuing to make the WPSL a proving ground for young women who dream to play at the highest level and someday have the opportunity to follow these players’ footsteps”
The United States is in Group F and will open tournament play against Thailand on June 11 in Reims, France.
Additional World Cup rosters will be announced in the next two weeks. The WPSL is expecting more alumnae to be named to World Cup squads, including Nigeria, Italy and Thailand.
The WPSL is in its 22nd season and is the largest women’s soccer league in the world with more than 100 clubs from coast-to-coast. WPSL rosters feature elite collegiate, post-collegiate, international and standout prep student-athletes.
Many of the United States’ most accomplished women’s players have played in the WPSL, including household names such as Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain.
