Two More Players Get Their Chance – Jessica McDonald & Emily Menges Called to USWNT Camp
Jill Ellis has announced two injury replacements ahead of the USWNT training camp held in California. WNY Flash forward Jessica McDonald and Portland Thorns defender Emily Menges received their first national team call-up with friendlies against Romania scheduled in the coming weeks.
Soccer News: U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has announced two roster changes for the November training camp held in California. Western New York Flash forward Jessica McDonald and Portland Thorns defender Emily Menges will replace defenders Jaelene Hinkle and Meghan Klingenberg on the 24-player roster set to face Romania in two friendly matches this month.
Hinkle, a Flash defender, was ruled out of WNT duty as a result of a lingering ankle injury, while Portland’s Klingenberg was replaced due to a back injury.
The senior team call-up is the first for both McDonald and Menges.
McDonald has Youth National Team experience, playing with the U17s, U20s and U23s. In 2007, Ellis coached her on the U20 WNT during the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil where the U.S. claimed the silver medal after falling to Brazil’s senior squad in the final. McDonald recorded goals against Paraguay and Argentina in that tournament.
McDonald is coming off a stellar season with the 2016 NWSL Champion Western New York Flash. She started 19 games and recorded 10 goals, second-most on the team behind NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner Lynn Williams, as well as second-most in the league. She also finished in the top three in league standings for most assists (7), most shots (70) and most shots on goal (34). In the NWSL Championship match, McDonald provided the assist to Williams that allowed the Flash to tie the game in the 124th minute.
Menges, 24, was named to the 2016 NWSL Best XI after becoming the only Thorns FC player to start all 20 matches this season and play every minute of each game. Menges was called into the U.S. U23 Women’s National Team training camp in December of 2013.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will play two games against Romania, November 10th at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (7 p.m. PT on ESPN2) and November 13th at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. (6:30 p.m. PT on FS1). Ellis will name an 18-player roster to suit up for each match.
Photo Credit: Portland Thorns FC
