Top 15 Players of the US Women’s Soccer Team

Top 15 Players of the US Women’s Soccer Team

The US Women’s Soccer Team boasts a talented roster filled with incredible players who dominate the field. From the explosive Megan Rapinoe to the formidable Alex Morgan, these women kick up a storm. With their skills, teamwork, and indomitable spirit, they bring excitement, goals, and glory to the game. Go Team USA.                    

The U.S. women’s national team will attempt to become the first team in history to win a third straight Women’s World Cup championship this summer in Australia and New Zealand. The global champion has not had it easy recently, as losses to England, Spain, and Germany in the last months of 2022 demonstrate the expansion of women’s soccer in Europe. Despite recent setbacks, this is still a talented team, and Vlatko Andonovski will face great expectations at his maiden World Cup competition.

1. Alexandra Morgan

Alexandra Morgan. Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alexandra Morgan Carrasco (born Alexandra Patricia Morgan; July 2, 1989) is a professional soccer player from the United States who currently captains the USWNT and plays as a striker for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top level of women’s professional soccer in the country. From 2018 to 2020, she co-captained the American women’s soccer team alongside Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe.

Alex Morgan is a soccer legend. She joined the women’s national soccer team of the United States in 2009 as its youngest player. Her list of professional successes is endless. You are likely already aware of all of those details as a soccer fan. Did you know that her favorite number, 13, is also her jersey number?

Growing up, Alex participated in a variety of sports, but she didn’t begin playing club soccer until she was 14 years old. Her previous passion was gymnastics. Soccer stars typically begin their careers much earlier. However, Alex’s powers didn’t seem to be impacted at all by this “late start”. Because of her young age and unique sprinting technique, her teammates affectionately gave her the name Baby Horse.

Star forward Alex Morgan is convinced that this combination of players can do something exceptional as the United States women’s national team prepares for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

2. Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe 2019. Jamie Smed, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Megan Rapinoe swept the globe by storm, winning hearts with her dynamic play, fun celebrations, and courageous leadership on and off the field. The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) athlete, who is famous for her pink pixie hairstyle, has been competing internationally for 15 years and has amassed some outstanding awards in the process.

Rapinoe, a professional player for the Seattle Reign, attended the University of Portland, where she earned a national championship and contributed to the team’s undefeated first season. She made her USWNT debut in 2006 and, although missing time in 2008 and 2009 due to knee problems, came back to assist the US finish second in the 2011 World Cup and take home the 2012 Olympic gold. She used to be recognized more for her assists than her goals, but she ended up winning the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals throughout the 2019 World Cup, including a goal against France in the semifinals and a cold penalty against the Netherlands in the championship match. With returning the return of superstar will try to win its third consecutive World Cup.

Beyond her on-field prowess, Rapinoe is also known for leading the team’s continuous struggle for equal pay and speaking out in favor of racial justice.

3. Carli Lloyd

Carli Lloyd on the ball. Noah Salzman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Carli Anne Hollins is a former American professional soccer player. She scored the winning goals in the Olympic gold-medal matches from the summers of 2008 and 2012. In addition to helping the United States win titles at the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cups and a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Lloyd was a member of the squad that placed second in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was recognized as the world’s highest-paid female football player in March 2021. She is second all-time for the US national team with 316 appearances. She also holds the fourth and fifth-most goals and assists for her country in the rankings.

Carli Lloyd, a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and former member of the United States women’s national team, will return to FOX Sports as an analyst for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. For the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lloyd made her FOX Sports debut as a studio analyst.

4. Tobin Heath

Tobin Heath. Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

American soccer player Tobin Powell Heath, who was born on May 29, 1988, plays forward for the United States national team. The United States Soccer Federation has referred to Heath as “possibly the USA’s most skillful player,” and she was chosen as the 2016 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year. She managed to play for the American national team since 2008 and spent the most of her club career there.

The CEOs of the apparel line Re-Inc. are Tobin Heath, Christen Press, Meghan Klingenberg, and Megan Rapinoe. They established the non-binary brand in 2019 to support the development of inclusive apparel and goods. The company also acknowledges the athletes’ fight to receive the same treatment as American men.

At the age of 23, Tobin made her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut in Germany at the 2011 edition of the competition. Throughout the competition, she made four appearances, but the championship game was a nightmare for her. She came in the 116th minute of extra time in the final game, which ended in a 2-2 draw and required penalties. Tobin took the third penalty shoot, but sadly, Japanese goalie Ayumi Kaihori stopped her shot, and the United States fell 3-1 on penalties. During the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, Heath took part in her second FIFA Women’s World Cup. The American team made it to the championship game, where Heath scored the game’s last goal against Japan as her team defeated Japan 5-2 to win the title.

During the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she competed for the United States and started six of the seven games. Heath and her team advanced to the championship game, and with a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands, they became only the second country—after Germany in 2007—to successfully defend their title. She is among the female football players with the most awards.

Her participation in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is in doubt as she recently sustained a serious knee injury.

5. Julie Ertz

Julie Ertz. Jamie Smed from Cincinnati, Ohio, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The name Julie Ertz is well-known and well-liked in America and other nations. This outstanding football player has displayed amazing accomplishments in a variety of contests and competitions.

On the USWNT squad, Julie Ertz, previously Johnston, is a true superstar, and her signature blue pre-wrap headband is legendary. Ertz won the 2019 U.S. Female Soccer Player of the Year award following her efforts with the Chicago Red Stars and the USWNT. In reality, Ertz had already won this specific championship already in 2017, therefore this was his second time doing so. She competes fiercely both domestically and internationally, and she has the medals to show it. She has made an appearance in two FIFA World Cup Tournaments. Julie Ertz always wanted to play in her third World Cup after giving birth, and she is now fighting to make that goal come true.

In addition to being a top-tier soccer player whose name will certainly go down in history, Julie Ertz is a fan of cuisine, her family, and doing well in the world.

6. Crystal Dunn

Crystal Dunn in an appearance against China on June 12, 2018. Jamie Smed, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Born on July 3, 1992, Crystal Alyssia Soubrier (formerly Dunn) plays soccer for the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top level of women’s professional soccer in the US, as well as for the US women’s national team. Although Crystal Dunn has been a part of the USWNT for a while, she gained notoriety during the 2019 World Cup. And we are beyond thrilled! Early this year, to commemorate earning her 100th cap for the United States.

Dunn, who plays defense for the USWNT, is an accomplished attacker. Dunn played every position on the field as a Tar Heel aside from goalie. Dunn plays the outside midfielder and striker positions in the North Carolina Courage’s NWSL lineup. Dunn played mostly offensive positions for the USWNT U-17, U-18, and U-20 teams until switching to defense for the team to cover a vacancy in the backline.

Crystal Dunn is a diminutive player despite having a strong presence on the soccer pitch. At barely 5’1″, Dunn is the smallest player on the USWNT, even shorter than Mallory Pugh, the team’s 21-year-old rookie. Her diminutive size never prevents her from bodying up on her mark to protect the USWNT or from engaging a defender in a one-on-one battle between her and the goal.

7. Becky Sauerbrunn

Becky Sauerbrunn at the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League Championship. Legoktm, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

American soccer player Becky Sauerbrunn won the FIFA Women’s World Cup and earned an Olympic gold medal. She is a regular in the defensive backline for the United States Women’s National Team and now plays for Portland Thorns FC. Most people would agree that a good defense is the cornerstone of any championship squad, whether it is for the Algarve Cup or the World Cup. And Becky Sauerbrunn is the first line of defense for the USWNT. She will be captaining her team to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament in Australia and New Zealand later in the year.

8. Tierna Davidson

Tierna Davidson. Jamie Smed from Cincinnati, Ohio, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tierna Lillis Davidson, an American who plays for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top level of women’s professional soccer in the country, as well as for the national team, was born on September 19, 1998. After three years of play at Stanford, she was selected first overall by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2019 NWSL College Draft.

The defender for the Chicago Red Stars was chosen for the team just 16 months after making her debut with the USWNT, making her the youngest member of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup victors. Davidson, now 21 years old, and midfielder Rose Lavelle, 25 years old, are anticipated to be the cornerstones who will carry the squad for the next ten years because many of the league’s top players are unlikely to be around in 2023 or, if they are, playing reduced roles.

9. Lindsey Horan

American professional soccer player Lindsey Michelle Horan, on loan from Portland Thorns FC and now playing for Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, was born on May 26, 1994. She has previously played for the US women’s national soccer team as well as the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the top level of women’s professional soccer in the country. She was honored as the 2018 NWSL MVP. Horan scored the game-winning goal in the championship game for the Thorns during their 2017 championship season. Prior to that, Horan was a prolific scorer with Paris Saint-Germain FC, tallying 46 goals in 58 games. At the 2010 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship, she led the American U-17 squad in scoring.

Horan was selected for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and on June 11, against Thailand, she scored her first World Cup goal. She assisted on goals by Lynn Williams and Tobin Heath on January 31, 2020, when she scored her first hat-trick in her professional career against Panama in the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. Horan participated in her 100th game for the USWNT on July 24, 2021, and scored a goal in a 6-1 victory over New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics. She is looking forward to play in her third world cup and we wish her all the best as she strives to achieve her dream of becoming the best player in the world.

10. Christen Press

Christen Annemarie Press, a member of the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Angel City FC and the American national team, was born on December 29, 1988. On February 9, 2013, she made her debut for the US national team against Scotland in a friendly match. She has 155 appearances for her nation and presently holds the ninth-best scoring record with 64 goals.

Press has been featured in a number of Nike commercials and marketing materials. She appeared in a Wheaties commercial in 2014. She appeared in Coppertone television advertisements in May 2015. In February 2016, she signed up with nutritional product maker Genesis Today as a brand ambassador. She collaborated with Hydrive Energy Water in January 2018.

A favorite of the US fans, she sustained a serious knee injury and has seldom been seen on the pitch since then. It is unlikely that she will feature in the upcoming competition.

11. Samantha Mewis

Sam Lewis. Soccerfan1996, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Samantha June Mewis, an American professional soccer player who competes for Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States national team, was born on October 9, 1992. She was a UCLA Bruins soccer player in college. She joined with Pali Blues of the W-League in 2013, which marked the beginning of her club career. Since then, she has won three NWSL Championships with the Western New York Flash and the North Carolina Courage. She is definitely the pillar of the US Women’s Soccer Team to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. We will be hoping that her scoring prowess will help her team win the prestigious trophy.

12. Emily Sonnet

A defender with OL Reign of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the United States women’s national soccer team, Emily Ann Sonnett was born in the United States on November 25, 1993. As a young teen, she made her first appearance to the senior US Women’s  team on October 25, 2015,

Her performance later was rewarded when she made it to the team to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup on May 2, 2019. 

Known for her mastery in photo shopping, Emily Sonnett is always on the lookout for funny or gif-worthy material. The strong bond amongst the younger players who spent their formative years on the U.S. Youth National Teams is greatly influenced by her fun nature and sense of humor. Sonnett claims that “the jokes and the banter really make this whole lifestyle work.” “I’m content to be traveling with my friends.”

13. Sophia Smith

Smith, who was a standout striker for Stanford throughout her freshmen and sophomore years, was chosen by the Portland Thorns football team on January 16. She was not only the first player selected in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft’s first round, but she was also the league’s first teenage draft choice. She once again made history on November 27 when she earned her maiden cap for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) when appearing in a friendly match against the Netherlands, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to participate in an official game for the USWNT.

Smith put a lot of effort into improving her game outside of practice throughout the years. She would build up drills for herself, dribbling past the closely spaced, haphazardly placed cones. She quickly attracted the interest of college coaches who noted her exceptional speed and capacity to challenge a defender. She plays a crucial role in the US Women’s Soccer in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.

14. Carson Pickett

Carson Pickett. Jamie Smed from Cincinnati, Ohio, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

American soccer player Carson Pickett, was the first member of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) with a limb difference to compete in an international match. The left forearm and hand of Pickett were missing at birth. She utilizes her notoriety as motivation for other people with limb disabilities. Pickett was chosen to represent the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team Seattle Reign in 2016. Up until 2018, when she was traded to the Orlando Pride, she played for the Reign. Pickett transferred to the North Carolina Courage in 2021. She was a finalist for the NWSL Defender of the Year that year and was chosen to the NWSL Best XI First Team. In June 2022, Pickett participated in her 100th game for the NWSL.

She has previously played for the American under-17 and under-23 national teams. She made her debut for the USWNT on the field in June 2022. She contributed to the team’s 2-0 win over Colombia.

Even though Pickett is a contender, the field for the squad traveling to the World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand is quite competitive, especially since the sport’s governing body set rosters at 23 players.

15. Adrianna Blanch

Adrianna Nichole Franch, an American goalkeeper who competes for Kansas City in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), was born on November 12, 1990. She plays for the women’s national soccer team of the United States. The incredibly athletic goalie from Kansas established the Oklahoma State record for shutouts with 36, which ranks sixth all-time in NCAA history. She was the first player from OSU to be selected for the US Women’s National Team. She has been a member of the Portland Thorns since 2016, and since then, she has amassed a record-breaking number of shutouts, including 11 in 2017. Franch is the first player to ever win the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award twice. She won it in 2017 and 2018.