TOUCHLINE | Summer 2023

PUBLISHED BY:

Eastern Pennsylvania

Youth Soccer

4070 Butler Pike, Suite 100

Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Phone: 610-238-9966

Fax: 610-238-9933

E-mail: info@EPYSA.org

Website: EPYSA.org

EXECUTIVE BOARD

President - Jeff Sommer

First Vice President -

Lennie Brown

Second Vice President -

Bill Fuller

Treasurer- Jim Brown

Secretary -

Melissa Weber

At-Large - John Mickel

State Youth Referee

Administrator - Jeff Tener

District 1 Commissioner -

Jeff Tener

District 2 CommissionerJohn DiGiuseppe

District 3 Commissioner -

Bill Ross

District 4 CommissionerEric McKitish (incumbent)

District 5 CommissionerScott Merritt

District 6 CommissionerPhil Frederick (incumbent)

OFFICE STAFF

Chief Executive Officer –Chris Branscome

Chief Operating Officer –

Kelly Connor

Director of Soccer Development & Performance – Gary Stephenson

Director of Marketing & Events –Kelsey Tepel

Registration Specialist –

Michele Brown

Registration Assistant –Meghan Petroski

ODP Manager –

Gabrielle (Bree) Benedict

Grassroots Soccer Manager –JT Dorsey

Outdoor Cups – David Jones

Technical Program Manager – Evan Tyler

Director of Communications –

Matt Ralph

TOUCHLINE

Editor-in-Chief –

Chris Branscome

Editors – Matt Ralph, Kelsey Tepel, Catie Branscome, Ashley Goon

Writer - Matt Ralph

Designed and printed by A.E. Engine, Inc.

www.ae-engine.com

U.S. Women’s National Team Takes Center Stage In Quest for Fifth World Cup

With the Women’s World Cup around the corner, the summer soccer schedule looks to be an exciting time for our soccer communities. The United States Women’s National Team comes off their 2019 title, in hopes of their fifth World Cup Championship.

The roster for the team has some veterans we all know and love with Julie Ertz, Alex Morgan, Kelly O’Hara while also adding new and exciting young rookies like Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Alyssa Thompson ready to win the hearts of Americans everywhere.

I hope we all can take a moment to appreciate how far our U.S. Women’s Soccer programs have come. To winning the fight for equal pay, to viewership of previous Women’s Championship breaking records, or to the National Women’s Soccer League becoming the prominent Women’s Pro league in the word, it is an exciting time to be a female soccer player.

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer team has long been those role models breaking down barriers and inspiring generations of young girls and women. When receiving recognition after their World Cup win in 2019, it was stated that the team made the phrase “playing like a girl” mean being the best in the world at what you do, striving to always be better, and standing up for what you believe in.

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team inspires girls to dream bigger, and equally important, they inspire boys to look at girls differently.

I am excited to see how the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup impacts the next generation of soccer players, girls and boys alike.

“The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team inspires girls to dream bigger, and equally important, they inspire boys to look at girls differently.”

Kelly Connor

CHIEF OPERATING

OFFICER

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER

EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER HOSTED PRESIDENTS CUP REGIONALS IN VALLEY FORGE

Plymouth Whitemarsh High School and The Proving Grounds played host to the US Youth Soccer Eastern Presidents Cup for the first time in June as 120 teams came to the area to compete for a regional title and a chance to move on to the national event in Wichita.

Eastern Pennsylvania was well represented with 17 teams in the competition field and 11 of those teams played for a regional title by weekend’s end. Three were crowned regional champions - Steel United PA 14U Girls, PA Classics 17U Girls and Lancaster Elite 18U Girls and seven total teams qualified for the national event.

“By all accounts, the Presidents Cup was an absolute success,” said Chris Branscome, Chief Executive Officer of Eastern PA Youth Soccer. “US Youth Soccer, the state associations,

the families, the teams, Valley Forge, politicians, The Proving Grounds, the high school and the referees were all overwhelmingly pleased.”

The five-day tournament showcased the Valley Forge region as a destination. Hotels were in close proximity to the fields and to an array of activities for players and families to enjoy in their down time.

“This has been terrific,” said US Youth Soccer CEO Skip Gilbert in an interview at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School. “We couldn’t ask for a better host. We hope to be able to return here with many of our events in years to come.”

Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB), Valley Forge Sports, Colonial School District and the County of Montgomery were partners in hosting the event, which generated an estimated economic impact of $5.5 million.

USA Retool Squad to Chase Third-Straight World Cup Title

By Greg Oldfield

The United States Women’s National Team will make its World Cup defense this July with a few new names and faces. The two-time defending World Cup champions have endured a bit of a change since the last title, with head coach Vlatko Andonovski seamlessly bringing in younger players while relying on an experienced core to maintain the high expectations.

Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Kelley O’Hara will represent the U.S. for a fourth World Cup, while Alyssa Naeher and Julie Ertz will make their third appearances. Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett, Lindsay Horan, and Rose Lavelle will be playing in their second World Cups.

Meanwhile, 14 players will be making their World Cup debuts, including Sophia Smith, Lynne Williams, Trinity Rodman, Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan, and Alyssa Thompson, the second-youngest player to be named to a U.S. World Cup roster behind assistant coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak.

Naeher likely will be the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. The former Penn State AllAmerican shined in the last World Cup, earning four shutouts while only conceding 3 goals in 7 games. Her penalty save in the 84 th minute preserved the U.S.’s 2-1 win over England in the semifinals in 2019. Either Morgan (206 caps) or Dunn (131 caps) will wear the captain’s armband with Rapinoe and O’Hara likely to feature off the bench.

The U.S. will be without stars Mal Swanson and captain Becky Sauerbrunn. Swanson injured her knee during a friendly against the Republic of Ireland in April while Sauerbrunn injured her foot in May and has not been able to fully recover in time. Sauerbrunn’s absence means Alana Cook and Naomi Girma will likely be the preferred back pairing. The duo, with just 39 combined caps compared to Sauerbrunn’s 216, played together in the U.S.’s 1-0 win over Japan in the She Believes Cup.

Dunn, the unsung hero of the 2019 title, and Emily Fox will likely start as the outside backs. Swanson’s injury, though a major blow due to her experience, may not be as big a loss as Sauerbrunn’s. Sophia Smith, the reigning NWSL Player of the Year and potential breakout star of this World Cup, will start on one side of the front three alongside Morgan while Rodman, Thompson, or Williams will play the other side, giving the U.S. one of the best attacking trios in the world no matter the combination.

The U.S. midfield will feature Andi Sullivan, who took over Ertz’s six role, and Rose Lavelle, who could be one of the best players in this tournament. Lindsay Horan, who recently announced her permanent move to Lyon, has been a regular in the lineup for the past five years. Ertz, Ashley Sanchez, and Kristie Mewis will add experience and depth in the midfield.

The U.S., currently ranked number 1 in the FIFA world rankings, will open the group stage in New Zealand, facing Vietnam (No. 32) on July 21 st . The U.S. will then face Netherlands (No. 9) on July 26 th in a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final in Lyon, France. The U.S. won that game 2-0 on secondhalf goals by Rapinoe and Lavelle to claim their fourth title. The group stage will conclude for the U.S. August 1 against Portugal (No. 21).

Expected to finish top-two in the group, the U.S. will face its greatest test in the knockout rounds. In the 2020 (2021) Summer Olympics, they lost to Sweden in the group stage 3-0 before rallying against New Zealand and earning a draw against Australia to finish second. In the quarterfinals, they beat the Netherlands on penalties (2-2: 4-2) before falling to Canada 1-0 in the semifinals. The women topped Australia 4-3 to claim the Bronze Medal while Canada beat Sweden 2-1 for the Gold.

In the second round, the U.S.’s group will face Group G, which includes Sweden (No. 3) and Italy (No. 16), who reached the quarterfinals in 2019. Should the U.S. advance to the quarterfinals, potential opponents could be New Zealand, Norway, Japan, or Spain. The U.S. beat Japan in the 2015 final, and it took a late Rapinoe penalty, her second of the game, to get past Spain in the 2019 quarterfinals. If both teams win their groups, the U.S. will not see Sweden until the semifinals. On the bright side, the U.S. will avoid Australia, Canada, England, Brazil, Germany, and France, essentially all their other rivals until the finals.

ALEX MORGAN

ONE OF THE U.S’S MOST PROLIFIC SCORERS AND MOST RECOGNIZABLE players, Morgan ranks in the top-ten in USWNT history in goals (121), assists (49), and multigoal games. Twice named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year (2012, 2018), Morgan scored a penalty in the Concacaf W final to beat Canada 1-0 and lead the U.S. to berths in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the 2022 NWSL season, Morgan won the Golden Boot for expansion team San Diego Wave, scoring 15 goals in 17 games.

A two-time World Cup champion, Morgan won the Silver Ball in 2019 with 6 goals and 3 assists and tied Michelle Akers with 5 goals in a game, which came in the U.S’s opening win over Thailand. She scored the first goal in the semifinal win over England, and her drawn penalty led to the opening pk of the final. Morgan made her World Cup debut in 2011, scoring twice, the first in the 3-1 semifinal win over France and the second in the final loss to Japan. Named to the FIFA Best XI five times and a finalist for FIFA Women’s Player of the Year three times, Morgan became the 13 th player in USWNT history to reach 200 caps last November. She scored her first international goal against China in 2010, a 1-1 draw at Subaru Park.

CRYSTAL DUNN

A BREAKOUT STAR AT THE 2019 WORLD CUP, DUNN HAS BEEN ONE OF THE team’s most consistent players over the past five years, mainly as an outside back after several years in the midfield, where she still plays for club side Portland Thorns. She played every minute of her six starts in the 2019 World Cup, with Player of the Match performances in the knockout stages, especially in the 2-1 win quarterfinal win over France in Paris. Dunn was the only player to start all six games in the 2020 Olympics. She has 24 goals and 19 assists in 136 appearances. In March 2020, Dunn captained the side against Spain in the She Believes Cup in Harrison, NJ, close to her hometown of Rockville Centre, NY. In that game, she was honored for making her 100th appearance. Making her return in late 2022 after her pregnancy, she scored a stoppage-time winner against San Diego in the NWSL semifinals. Portland went on to win the title over Kansas City. She helped lead Portland to three titles in 2021 (Challenge Cup, Women’s ICC, and Supporter’s Shield) and North Carolina Courage to back-to-back NWSL titles in 2018 and 2019. In 2016, she scored six goals to help the U.S. win the Concacaf Olympic Qualifying and later played in four games at the Rio Olympics, starting twice, and scored her first international goal in a 2-2 draw with Colombia in the group stage. Dunn made her first USWNT appearance in 2013 against Scotland in Nashville, Tennessee.

SOPHIA SMITH

ONE OF U.S. SOCCER’S RISING STARS, SMITH EMERGED LAST YEAR WITH A historic run of form, ending with her being named Female Athlete of the Year. Smith led the USWNT in scoring with 11 goals and led the Portland Thorns to the NWSL title, scoring the opener in the 2-0 win over Washington to claim the game’s MVP honors. With a club-record 14 goals, Smith was named the league’s MVP, the youngest player to win the award at age 22. Smith became the fifth player to win both the senior award and Young Female Player of the Year, which she won in 2017. In the Concacaf W Championship last year, Smith started all five games and scored twice in the U.S.’s 5-0 win over Jamaica. She scored a hat-trick against Uzbekistan in April 2022, becoming the fifth-youngest player (21 years, 242 days) to score a hat-trick in USWNT history. She scored in the 2-1 loss to England at Wembley Stadium last October and in the 1-1 draw with Germany in Harrison, NJ.

In 2021, Smith scored 7 goals in her debut NWSL season, helping Portland to the Challenge Cup, ICC, and Supporter’s Shield. With the U.S. Youth National Team, Smith was named Best Player at the Sud Ladies Cup in 2018, leading the U.S. U-20s to victory with 4 goals. The next year, as a sophomore at Stanford, she scored 7 goals in the NCAA tournament to lead the Cardinal to the College Cup title and was later drafted No.1 by Portland in the 2020 NWSL Draft.

Despite receiving her first call up in 2017 at the age of 16, Smith made her first USWNT appearance in November 2020 and scored her first international goal against Paraguay in September 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2023 WORLD 2023 WORLD

AUBREY KINGSBURY GOALKEEPER

WASHINGTON

SPIRIT

BIRTHDAY:

Nov. 20, 1991

HOMETOWN:

Cincinnati, OH

HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

CAPS: 1

CLEANSHEETS: 1

CASEY MURPHY GOALKEEPER

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

BIRTHDAY:

Apr. 25, 1996

HOMETOWN: Bridgewater, NJ

HEIGHT: 6’

CAPS: 14

CLEANSHEETS: 10

ALYSSA NAEHER GOALKEEPER

CHICAGO RED STARS

BIRTHDAY:

Apr. 20, 1988

HOMETOWN:

Stratford, CT

HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

CAPS: 90

CLEANSHEETS: 53

ALANA COOK DEFENDER

OL REIGN

BIRTHDAY:

Apr. 11, 1997

HOMETOWN:

Far Hills, N.J.

HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

CAPS: 24

GOALS: 1

ASSISTS: 2

EMILY FOX DEFENDER

NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE

BIRTHDAY:

Jul. 05, 1998

HOMETOWN:

Ashburn, VA.

HEIGHT: 5’ 5”

CAPS: 28

GOALS: 1

ASSISTS: 1

CRYSTAL DUNN DEFENDER

PORTLAND THORNS FC

BIRTHDAY:

Jul. 03, 1992

HOMETOWN:

Rockville Centre, NY

HEIGHT: 5’ 1”

CAPS: 131

GOALS: 24

ASSISTS: 19

NAOMI GIRMA DEFENDER

SAN DIEGO WAVE FC

BIRTHDAY:

Jun. 14, 2000

HOMETOWN:

San Jose, CA

HEIGHT: 5’ 6”

CAPS: 15

GOALS: 0

ASSISTS: 1

SOFIA HUERTA DEFENDER

OL REIGN

BIRTHDAY: Dec. 14, 1992

HOMETOWN:

Boise, ID

HEIGHT: 5’ 6”

CAPS: 29

GOALS: 0

ASSISTS: 4

KELLEY O’HARA DEFENDER

NJ/NY GOTHAM FC

BIRTHDAY:

Aug. 4, 1988

HOMETOWN:

Fayetteville, GA

HEIGHT: 5’ 5”

CAPS: 157

GOALS: 3

ASSISTS: 21

EMILY SONNETT DEFENDER

OL REIGN

BIRTHDAY:

Nov. 25, 1993

HOMETOWN:

Marietta, GA

HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

CAPS: 74

GOALS: 13

ASSISTS: 5

SAVANNAH DEMELO MIDFIELDER

LOUISVILLE FC

DATE OF BIRTH:

Mar. 26, 1998

HOMETOWN:

Bellflower, CA.

HEIGHT: 5′ 5″

CAPS: 0

GOALS: 0

ASSISTS: 0

JULIE ERTZ

MIDFIELDER

ANGEL CITY FC

DATE OF BIRTH:

Apr. 06, 1992

HOMETOWN:

Mesa, AZ

HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

CAPS: 118

GOALS: 20

ASSISTS: 6

CUP ROSTER CUP ROSTER

LINDSEY HORAN MIDFIELDER

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (FRA)

DATE OF BIRTH:

May 26, 1994

HOMETOWN:

Golden, CO

HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

CAPS: 128

GOALS: 27

ASSISTS: 33

ROSE LAVELLE MIDFIELDER

OL REIGN

DATE OF BIRTH :

May 14, 1995

HOMETOWN:

Cincinnati, OH

HEIGHT: 5’ 4”

CAPS: 88

GOALS: 24

ASSISTS: 20

KRISTIE MEWIS MIDFIELDER

NJ/NY GOTHAM FC

DATE OF BIRTH:

Feb. 25, 1991

HOMETOWN:

Hanson, MA

HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

CAPS: 50

GOALS: 7

ASSISTS: 4

ASHLEY SANCHEZ MIDFIELDER

WASHINGTON SPIRIT

DATE OF BIRTH :

Mar. 16, 1999

HOMETOWN:

Monrovia, CA

HEIGHT: 5’ 4”

CAPS: 24

GOALS: 3

ASSISTS: 4

ANDI SULLIVAN MIDFIELDER

WASHINGTON SPIRIT

DATE OF BIRTH:

Dec. 20, 1995

HOMETOWN:

Lorton, VA

HEIGHT: 5’ 6

CAPS: 44

GOALS: 3

ASSISTS: 5

ALEX MORGAN FORWARD

SAN DIEGO

WAVE FC

DATE OF BIRTH:

Jul. 02, 1989

HOMETOWN:

Diamond Bar, CA

HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

CAPS: 206

GOALS: 121

ASSISTS: 49

MEGAN RAPINOE FORWARD

OL REIGN

DATE OF BIRTH:

July 05, 1985

HOMETOWN:

Redding, CA

HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

CAPS: 199

GOALS: 63

ASSISTS: 73

TRINITY RODMAN FORWARD

WASHINGTON SPIRIT

DATE OF BIRTH:

May 20, 2002

HOMETOWN:

Laguna Niguel, CA

HEIGHT: 5’ 7

CAPS: 17

GOALS: 2

ASSISTS: 3

SOPHIA SMITH FORWARD

PORTLAND THORNS FC

DATE OF BIRTH:

Aug. 10, 2000

HOMETOWN:

WINDSOR, CO

HEIGHT: 5’ 6”

CAPS: 29

GOALS: 12

ASSISTS: 3

ALYSSA THOMPSON FORWARD

ANGEL CITY FC

DATE OF BIRTH:

Nov. 07, 2004

HOMETOWN:

Studio City, CA

HEIGHT: 5’4”

CAPS: 3

GOALS: 0

ASSISTS: 0

LYNN WILLIAMS FORWARD

NJ/NY GOTHAM FC

DATE OF BIRTH :

May 21, 1993

HOMETOWN:

Fresno, CA

HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

CAPS: 52

GOALS: 15

ASSISTS: 11

2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

CAN THE STARS & STRIPES REPEAT?

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the ninth time FIFA has staged the event, which was originally known as the “1st FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup” when it was held in China in 1991.

For the 2023 World Cup the field has been expanded to include 32 nations, up from 24 teams in the last two World Cups. Sixteen teams participated in the four World Cups held from 19992011 and the 1991 and 1995 editions featured 12 teams.

Four different countries have won the World Cup. The United States leads the way with four, followed by Germany with two and Japan and Norway each with one.

While the U.S. is favored to add a fifth World Cup trophy to their trophy case, England, Germany, Spain and France are expected to be among the contenders to unseat the Americans. Australia will have the boost of the home fans and Chelsea star Sam Kerr leading the line so they’ll be in the mix as well.

Let’s take a look at the 32 nations that will be represented in Australia and New Zealand.

GROUP B

Australia

NICKNAME: Matildas

HEAD COACH: Tony Gustavsson

CAPTAIN: Sam Kerr

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 10

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 8

BEST RESULT: Quarter-finals (2007, 2011, 2015)

FIFA CODE: AUS

Canada

NICKNAME: N/A

HEAD COACH: Bev Priestman

CAPTAIN: Christine Sinclair

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 7

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 8

BEST RESULT: Fourth place (2003)

FIFA CODE: CAN

GROUP A

New Zealand

NICKNAME: Football Ferns

COACH: Jitka Klimková

CAPTAIN: Ali Riley

FIFA RANKING: 26

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6

BEST RESULT: Group stage (1991, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019)

FIFA CODE: NZL

Norway

NICKNAME: Gresshoppene (The Grasshoppers)

HEAD COACH: Hege Riise

CAPTAIN: Maren Mjelde

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 12

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 9

BEST RESULT: Champions (1995)

FIFA CODE: NOR

Philippines

NICKNAME: Filipinas (Filipino Women)

HEAD COACH: Alen Stajcic

CAPTAIN: Tahnai Annis

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 46

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST RESULT: TBD

FIFA CODE: PHI

Switzerland

NICKNAME: La Nati

HEAD COACH: Inka Grings

CAPTAIN: Lia Wälti

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 20

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 2

BEST RESULT: Round of 16 (2015)

FIFA CODE: SUI

Nigeria

NICKNAME: Super Falcons

HEAD COACH: Randy Waldrum

CAPTAIN: Onome Ebi

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 40

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 9

BEST RESULT: Quarter-finals (1991)

FIFA CODE: NGA

Republic of Ireland

NICKNAME: The Girls in Green

HEAD COACH: Vera Pauw

CAPTAIN: Katie McCabe

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 22

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST RESULT: TBD

FIFA CODE: IRL

GROUP C

Costa Rica

NICKNAME: Las Ticas, La Sele, La Tricolor

HEAD COACH: Amelia Valverde

CAPTAIN: Shirley Cruz

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 36

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 2

BEST RESULT: Group stage (2015)

FIFA CODE: CRC

Zambia

NICKNAME: Copper Queens

HEAD COACH: Bruce Mwape

CAPTAIN: Barbra Banda

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 77

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST RESULT: TBD

FIFA CODE: ZAM

Japan

NICKNAME: Nadeshiko

HEAD COACH: Futoshi Ikeda

CAPTAIN: Saki Kumagai

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 11

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 9

BEST RESULT: Champions (2011)

FIFA CODE: JPN

Spain

NICKNAME: La Roja (the red one)

HEAD COACH: Jorge Vilda

CAPTAIN: Ivana Andrés

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 6

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 3

BEST RESULT: Round of 16 (2019)

FIFA CODE: ESP

GROUP D

China

NICKNAME: Steel Roses

HEAD COACH: Shui Qingxia

CAPTAIN: Wu Haiyan

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 14

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 8

BEST RESULT: Runners-up (1999)

FIFA CODE: CHN

Haiti

NICKNAME: Les Grenadières, Le Rouge et Bleu, Les Bicolores, La Sélection Nationale

HEAD COACH: Nicolas Delépine

CAPTAIN: Nerilia Mondesir

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 53

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST RESULT: TBD

FIFA Code: HAI

Denmark

NICKNAME: The Red and White

HEAD COACH: Lars Søndergaard

CAPTAIN: Pernille Harder

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 13

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 5

BEST RESULT: Quarter-finals (1991, 1995)

FIFA CODE: DEN

England

NICKNAME: The Lionesses

HEAD COACH: Sarina Wiegman

CAPTAIN: Leah Williamson, Millie Bright (Interim)

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 4

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6

BEST RESULT: Third place (2015)

FIFA CODE: ENG

GROUP E

Netherlands

NICKNAME: Oranje (orange)

Leeuwinnen (Lionesses)

HEAD COACH: Andries Jonker

CAPTAIN: Sherida Spitse

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 9

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 3

BEST RESULT: Runners-up (2019)

FIFA CODE: NED

Portugal

NICKNAME: A Selecção das Quinas

HEAD COACH: Francisco Neto

CAPTAIN: Cláudia Neto

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 21

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST RESULT: TBD

FIFA CODE: POR

GROUP F

Brazil

NICKNAME: The National Squad, The Female Canaries, Green-and-Yellow

HEAD COACH: Pia Sundhage

CAPTAIN: Ragaelle Souza

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 8

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 9

BEST RESULT: Runners-up (2007)

FIFA CODE: BRA

France

NICKNAME: Les Bleues (The Blues)

HEAD COACH: Hervé Renard

CAPTAIN: Wendie Renard

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 5

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 5

BEST RESULT: Fourth place (2011)

FIFA CODE: FRA

Jamaica

NICKNAME: The Reggae Girlz

HEAD COACH: Lorne Donaldson

CAPTAIN: Khadija Shaw

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 43

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 2

BEST RESULT: Group stage (2019)

FIFA CODE: JAM

Panama

NICKNAME: The Canal Girls, The Red Tide

HEAD COACH: Ignacio Quintana

CAPTAIN: Natalia Mills

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 52

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST RESULT: TBD

FIFA CODE: PAN

OFFICIAL PAYROLL PROVIDER OF PHILADELPHIA UNION

LET’S TEAM UP.

Argentina

NICKNAME: The White and Sky-Blues

HEAD COACH: Germán Portanova

CAPTAIN: Vanina Correa

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 28

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 4

BEST RESULT: Group stage (2003, 2007, 2019)

FIFA CODE: ARG

South Africa

NICKNAME: Banyana Banyana

HEAD COACH: Desiree Ellis

CAPTAIN: Janine van Wyk

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 54

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 2

BEST RESULT: Group stage (2019)

FIFA CODE: RSA

Sweden

NICKNAME: The Blue and Yellow

HEAD COACH: Peter Gerhardsson

CAPTAIN: Caroline Seger

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 3

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 8

BEST RESULT: Runners-up (2003)

FIFA CODE: SWE

Italy

NICKNAME: The Blues

HEAD COACH: Milena Bertolini

CAPTAIN: Sara Gama

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 16

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 4

BEST RESULT: Quarter-finals (1991, 2019)

FIFA CODE: ITA

GROUP H

Colombia

NICKNAME: The Powerpuff Girls, The Coffee Growers

HEAD COACH: Nelson Abadía

CAPTAIN: Daniela Montoya

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 25

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 3

BEST RESULT: Round of 16 (2015)

FIFA CODE: COL

Germany

NICKNAME: DFB Women’s Team, DFB Women

HEAD COACH: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg

CAPTAIN: Alexandra Popp

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 2

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 9

BEST RESULT: Champions (2003,

FIFA CODE: GER

Korea Republic

NICKNAME: Taegeuk Ladies, Tigers of Asia

HEAD COACH: Colin Bell

CAPTAIN: Kim Hye-ri

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 17

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 4

BEST RESULT: Round of 16 (2003)

FIFA CODE: KOR

Morocco

NICKNAME: Lionesses of Atlas

HEAD COACH: Reynald Pedros

CAPTAIN: Ghizlane Chebbak

CURRENT FIFA RANKING: 72

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST RESULT: TBD

FIFA CODE: MAR

2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

KEYSTONE CONNECTIONS

KATHRYN NESBITT REFEREE

AFTER BECOMING THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO REF AT a World Cup last year in Qatar, Nesbitt will be back on the officiating crew for the Women’s World Cup. Nesbitt, who lives in Philadelphia, has had a lot of firsts in her professional refereeing career, which dates back to her debut in 2013 in the inaugural match of the National Women’s Soccer League. She became the first woman to referee a championship match in professional men’s sports in North America in the MLS Cup final in 2021 and was the first woman to be named MLS Assistant Referee of the Year when she received the award in 2020 among other milestones.

SINEAD FARRELLY REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

FARRELLY IS AN FC DELCO ALUM AND FORMER EASTERN Pennsylvania ODP player and USYS national champion from Havertown who made her international debut with the Republic of Ireland earlier this year in a friendly against the United States. This came shortly after she announced her return to the professional game with NJ/NY Gotham FC.

MARISSA SHEVA REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

SHEVA IS A PENN FUSION ALUM AND FORMER EASTERN Pennsylvania ODP player from Sellersville who currently plays in the NWSL with Washington Spirit. She made her Republic of Ireland debut in February 2023 in a friendly with China that was played in Spain.

ALYSSA NAEHER UNITED STATES

NAEHER, A GOALKEEPER FOR THE UNITED STATES AND FOR the Chicago Stars in NWSL, starred at Penn State from 2006-2009, starting 74 games and earning First-Team All-American honors in 2007 and 2008.

RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ COSTA RICA

RODRIGUEZ IS A NATIVE OF COSTA

Rica who currently plays for Portland Thorns in the NWSL but is even better known in Pennsylvania for her time at Penn State. She led the Nittany Lions to their first NCAA title in 2015 when she scored the game-winning goal to beat Duke in the College Cup final.

ANDI SULLIVAN UNITED STATES

SULLIVAN IS CONNECTED TO EASTERN Pennsylvania through her husband, Drew Skundrich. Drew is a Lancaster, Pa. native who is currently playing in the USL Championship with Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. They met at Stanford, where they both won national championships in 2017. Skundrich, who played at PA Classics, was also a national champion in 2015 and 2016.

JULIE ERTZ

UNITED STATES

THE USWNT VETERAN HAS 118 CAPS to her name and will be part of her third World Cup but off the field she played a role in the bidding process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a member of the committee that succeeded in getting Philadelphia chosen as a host site. Ertz is also married to former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, who was on the Super Bowl-winning team in 2018.

JULIE ERTZ

MATCH SCHEDULE

FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand

Group Matches

AUCKLAND /

TĀMAKI MAKAURAU EDEN PARK

SYDNEY / GADIGAL

SYDNEY FOOTBALL STADIUM

DUNEDIN / ŌTEPOTI

DUNEDIN STADIUM

MELBOURNE / NAARM

MELBOURNE RECTANGULAR STADIUM

WELLINGTON / TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA

WELLINGTON REGIONAL STADIUM

HAMILTON / KIRIKIRIROA

WAIKATO STADIUM

BRISBANE / MEAANJIN

BRISBANE STADIUM

PERTH / BOORLOO

PERTH RECTANGULAR STADIUM

ADELAIDE / TARNTANYA

HINDMARSH STADIUM

SYDNEY /WANGAL

STADIUM AUSTRALIA

* NOTE: Match 1 is the Opening match including the Opening Ceremony

GROUP A

New Zealand (NZL)

Norway (NOR)

Philippines (PHI)

Switzerland (SUI)

GROUP B

Australia (AUS)

Republic of Ireland (IRL)

Nigeria (NGA)

Canada (CAN)

GROUP C

Spain (ESP)

Costa Rica (CRC)

Zambia (ZAM)

Japan (JPN)

GROUP D

England (ENG)

Haiti (HAI)

Denmark (DEN)

China PR (CHN)

GROUP E

USA (USA)

Vietnam (VIE)

Netherlands (NED)

Portugal (POR)

GROUP F

France (FRA)

Jamaica (JAM)

Brazil (BRA)

Panama (PAN)

Semi Finals 3rd Place & Final Quarter Finals Round of Sixteen

GROUP G

Sweden (SWE)

South Africa (RSA)

Italy (ITA)

Argentina (ARG)

GROUP H

Germany (GER)

Morocco (MAR)

Colombia (COL)

Korea Republic (KOR)

LEGENDARY MOMENTS

A LOOK BACK AT THE 8 GREATEST WORLD CUP MOMENTS IN USWNT HISTORY.

AKERS STARS FOR U.S. IN FIRST WOMEN’S WORLD CUP IN 1991: Michelle Akers won the first-ever golden boot after scoring 10 goals in 1991. Akers capped off the tournament scoring both goals in the final to lead the U.S. to a 2-1 win over Norway to capture the first ever Women’s World Cup.

MIA HAMM GOES IN GOAL IN 1995: One of the all-time great goal scorers for the U.S., Hamm had a brief stint in goal late in a game against Denmark after Brianna Scurry was sent off. She became the first non-goalkeeper to play goal in a World Cup and even made a couple saves.

BRANDI CHASTAIN’S WINNING PENALTY KICK IN 1999: Chastain’s goal and her unforgettable celebration that followed gave the U.S. their second World Cup win in a 5-4 shootout victory over China in front of 90,185 at the Rose Bowl.

BRIANA SCURRY’S SAVE IN THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT IN 1999: Everyone remembers the kick that won it but Scurry’s save on Liu Ying set up the dramatic winner that clinched the World Cup victory.

KRISTINE LILLY SAVES A GOAL WITH A HEADER IN 1999: Lilly’s headed goal line clearance was a pivotal moment in keeping the game scoreless and getting the U.S. to the penalty shootout.

ABBY WAMBACH’S LATE EQUALIZER AGAINST BRAZIL IN 2011: Wambach scored an unlikely equalizer in the 121st minute to tie the game against Brazil, which went up in the beginning of extra time on Marta’s second goal of the game. The U.S. went on to win in penalties and advance to the semifinals. They made it to the final but were on the wrong side of the shootout against Japan after conceding a 117th minute equalizer.

CARLI LLOYD’S 16-MINUTE HAT TRICK IN 2015: The Delran, N.J. native made sure there was little doubt in the outcome of the 2015 final at BC Place in Vancouver against Japan. She scored in the 3rd, 5th and 16th minutes to put the U.S. in front 3-0 in a game they won 5-2.

ALYSSA NAEHER SAVES PENALTY KICK IN SEMI-FINAL TO PRESERVE A WIN IN 2019: England had a chance to tie the game up in the 83rd minute when Naeher dove to her right to make the stop and preserve the lead that would eventually send the U.S. into the final, where they beat the Netherlands 2-0.

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP 2023 STADIUMS

As Australia and New Zealand prepare to host the showpiece event, let’s take a look at the venues that will comprise the largest Women’s World Cup to date.

AUSTRALIA

1. BRISBANE STADIUM

Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Aus.

Capacity: 56,851

Opened: 1934

2. HINDMARSH STADIUM

Location: Hindmarsh, Adelaide, Aus.

Capacity: 13,327

Opened: 1960

3. MELBOURNE RECTANGULAR STADIUM

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Aus.

Capacity: 28,870

Opened: 2010

4. PERTH RECTANGULAR STADIUM

Location: Perth, Western Australia, Aus.

Capacity: 13,932

Opened: 1910

5. STADIUM AUSTRALIA

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Aus.

Capacity: 69,314

Opened: 1999

6. SYDNEY FOOTBALL STADIUM

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Aus.

Capacity: 38,841

Opened: 2022

NEW ZEALAND

7. DUNEDIN STADIUM

Location: Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand

Capacity: 24,243

Opened: 2011

8. EDEN PARK

Location: Kingsland, Auckland, New Zealand

Capacity: 40,536

Opened: 1900

9. WAIKATO STADIUM

Location: Hamilton, New Zealand

Capacity: 16,271

Opened: 2002

10. WELLINGTON REGIONAL STADIUM

Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Capacity: 31,089

Opened: 2000

WORLD CUP

WHAT TO LISTEN TO

STARS AND STRIPES FC

AN SB NATION FAN SITE DEDICATED TO ALL things U.S. Soccer, Stars and Stripes is a great place to connect with other fans and follow the USWNT through the World Cup and beyond.

www.starsandstripesfc.com

THE WOMEN’S GAME

THE WOMEN’S GAME IS THE NAME OF A WOMEN’S Sport outlet in Australia and also the name of a newsletter about women’s soccer produced by the Men In Blazers team.

www.thewomensgame.com

www.meninblazers.com

EQUALIZER SOCCER

EQUALIZER HAS THOROUGH COVERAGE OF the USWNT, NWSL and other women’s soccer.

www.equalizersoccer.com

STUFF FOOTBALL NEWS

STUFF IS A POPULAR NEW ZEALAND WEBSITE that has extensive coverage of “football.”

www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football

EASTERN

Teams Qualified for USYS National Championships

13U GIRLS

KEYSTONE FC PREMIER

14U GIRLS PA DOMINION 09

14U GIRLS

KEYSTONE FC PREMIER

14U GIRLS

READING RAGE 09 PUGH

15U BOYS

YARDLEY MAKEFIELD SOCCER 08 CELTIC

15U BOYS

LOWER MERION SC FCE THUNDER

15U GIRLS PENN FC YOUTH 08 BLACK

15U GIRLS

YARDLEY MAKEFIELD SOCCER 08G PREMIER SPIRIT

15U GIRLS

KEYSTONE FC PREMIER

16U GIRLS

LOWER MERION SC FURIA

16U GIRLS

PENN FC YOUTH BLACK

16U BOYS

KEYSTONE FC PREMIER

17U BOYS

HUNTER SC 62 BLUES

17U BOYS

FC EUROPA ELITE 2006

17U GIRLS

KEYSTONE FC PREMIER 06

17U GIRLS

FC REVOLUTION REDS 06

18U GIRLS

PENN FC YOUTH 05 BLACK

18U BOYS

FC BUCKS DOMINION 05

19U GIRLS

IRON VALLEY UNITED THORNS 04

19U GIRLS

PENN FC YOUTH LIGHTNING

19U GIRLS

FC EUROPA 2004 ELITE

19U BOYS

FC BUCKS DOMINION 04

Five Eastern Pennsylvania Teams Crowned USYS Regional Champions

a late half volley winner from center back Lex Radosavljevic off a corner kick.

“It feels great,” Radosavljevic said after the win. “I didn’t even know it went in but then I heard everyone screaming.”

Keystone is one of just three finalists that suffered a loss in the competition. Keystone FC’s 2007 girls and New England Surf Navy 2005 boys were the others.

“These kids are resilient,” Keystone 2007 boys head coach Brent Brockman said. “After the first day I thought that morale would be low but they were confident we’d get through and once we got through it showed we couldn’t be stopped. We’ve been building for this all year and we’re hitting stride at the right time.”

Keystone’s defense was a big part of their success. After losing to Burke Athletic Club 2-0 on Friday, they conceded only twice. On Thursday they had a chance to go up early on a penalty kick but after the miss the defense locked things down to set up the late winner.

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA. – Five teams from Eastern Pennsylvania were crowned regional champions last month on the final day of the US Youth Soccer Eastern Regional Championships.

Three of Keystone FC’s four teams at regionals won their finals and teams from Penn FC Youth and Reading Rage also added to their trophy case.

Four additional teams qualified for the USYS National Championships with wins on Thursday. Keystone FC Premier 06 Girls qualified previously through National League P.R.O. Keystone FC Premier 07 Boys and 2010 Girls, Penn FC Youth 2007 Girls and Reading Rage 09 Pugh also punched tickets.

A total of 20 teams from Eastern Pennsylvania have now qualified for the national championships, which will be played July 17-23 in Orlando. Keystone FC has five teams in and Penn FC Youth added a fourth team with the 2007 team’s 3-0 win over Seacoast United.

“It was a really big breakthrough for us being able to come here,” said Erika Murphy, who guest played for the 2008 team last summer at nationals. “It’s amazing to see both teams get to nationals and all of the teams going from Penn FC. We all really worked hard for it and everyone is going to go down to Florida with the same mentality.”

Penn FC ended up winning all six of their games, scoring 15 goals and conceding only four goals. They beat Seacoast for a second time after a 4-2 win on Saturday.

“The level of play throughout the week was very high,” said head coach Adam Freeman. “Our girls thrived on the competition throughout the week. Every time we stepped up against a more difficult team we seemed to up our level and when we got to the final the level of the team as a whole really showed in the three nil victory.”

Keystone FC 2007 Boys capped a remarkable turnaround with a 1-0 win on

“They’ve been lock down on defense,” Brockman said. “That’s the reason why we’re here; that’s the reason we have the trophy.”

Reading Rage 09 Pugh capped off the week with their sixth win in seven days to capture the club’s first regional championship.

“I’m proud of my team, I’m proud of what we did and I’m proud of how far we got,” said goalkeeper Braelyn Reis, who celebrated her 14th birthday the day of the final.

In addition to the five regional champions, four other Eastern PA teams were finalists: FC Europa Elite 2008 Boys, Keystone FC Premier 2008 Girls, Lower Merion SC FCE 2008 Boys Thunder and Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals Elite 64 2005 Boys.

Eastern Pennsylvania had the most finalists of the 15 Eastern State Associations and tied with Eastern New York for the most champions. Maryland (2), New Jersey (1), Virginia (1), Massachusetts (1), and New York West (1) also had winning teams.