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By: NWSL Media Staff
22 NWSL players called into USWNT for April friendlies

Boston Breakers defender Megan Oyster receives first call up

National Women’s Soccer League Press Release (March 23, 2017) – Players from the NWSL make up 22 of the 24 women named today to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for a pair of friendlies April 6 and April 9 against Russia in Texas.   Boston Breakers defender Megan Oyster earned her first call up […]

National Women’s Soccer League Press Release(March 23, 2017) – Players from the NWSL make up 22 of the 24 women named today to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for a pair of friendlies April 6 and April 9 against Russia in Texas. Boston Breakers defender Megan Oyster earned her first call up to the senior national team as one of six players from the league with less than 10 international caps named to the squad by USWNT coach Jill Ellis – including Houston Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell who, along with Oyster, will be looking for her first cap. Oyster, a 2013 NCAA champion with UCLA, spent the first two years of her NWSL career with the Washington Spirit after the club selected her with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2015 NWSL College Draft. The Naperville, Ill. native was an integral part of the Spirit backline last season as Washington had the No. 1 home defense in the league that was a cornerstone of the effort which saw the club reach the NWSL Championship for the first time in their history. She was acquired by the Breakers in an offseason trade after logging 3,356 minutes in 38 career appearances (including playoffs) for the Spirit and is just the latest example of a talented young U.S. player afforded the opportunity with the USWNT after showcasing her skill in the NWSL. The matches April 6 and April 9 against Russia will be the final games for the U.S. prior to the start of the 2017 NWSL season – which Ellis said she is eager to utilize in her assessment and appraisal of players ahead of the next international break in June. “Following these matches, my staff and I will begin a heavy investment in attending and evaluating the NWSL games as well as tracking our players overseas before we get back together for our European trip in the summer,” Ellis said in the release from U.S. Soccer. “I’m very much looking forward to our domestic league starting.” In addition to Oyster and Campbell, Chicago Red Stars defender Casey Short, Boston midfielder Rose Lavelle, Houston Dash forward Kealia Ohai and North Carolina Courage forward Lynn Williams are the other players with less than 10 international caps on the roster announced today. Lavelle, the No. 1 overall selection at the 2017 NWSL College Draft, has made two appearances for the USWNT – both at the SheBelieves Cup in March – before making her NWSL debut as she looks to insert herself alongside 2016 NWSL Best XI members Ohai and Williams as part the new generation of U.S. players that hopes to come of age for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan. Nine of the 10 NWSL clubs are represented on the roster for the April friendlies with the Dash and Portland Thorns leading the way with four players each on the squad, followed by the Orlando Pride and Chicago Red Stars with three representatives. The Spirit is the only club from the league without a player on the U.S. roster. See below for the complete roster for the upcoming friendlies against Russia.

USWNT April Friendlies Roster

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