U17 Girl’s World Cup Squad Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>21 names were chosen to represent the USA in Morocco next month and what a squad it is. A mix of professional, collegiate, ECNL and Girl's Academy players will come together to compete against the worlds best. This American squad will go into this tournament as one of the top 3 to 5 favorites to win it all. Here is a little about each player and what they will bring to the table in this tournament. The USA opens up group play against Samoa on October 19th. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alexis Fischer (Eclipse Select SC)- Brings valuable big moment composure and has 3 U17 caps Fischer would be my guess to start the tournament as the #2 goalkeeper. Her shot-stopping and command of the box will be at a premium particularly in the later rounds of this tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kathy Long Capell (XF Premier)- The Woodinville, Washington native is an exceptionally talented goalkeeper who thoroughly deserves to be in this squad. Her distribution is excellent and her commitment to one of the premier programs in the country Santa Clara University is telling of what her future holds. She has great hands and length which enables her to pull of spectacular saves. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avellina Saunders (Utah Royals FC Arizona)- The most experienced international goalkeeper of the 3 with 6 U17 caps to her name. I think she enters the tournament as the #1 goalkeeper. The Stanford commit is the most complete goalkeeper in the country in her age group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meila Brewer- the lone professional on this roster and the anchor this back line will most likely be built around. A physically dominant center back who recently got loaned to Dallas Trinity from the Kansas City Current. Brewer carries 15 caps and will be leaned on to lead, organize and set the tone defensively. When you have a pro directing traffic in the middle of your defense, everything else gets easier. She's the standard-bearer for this group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='111128' first='Venina' last='Moodie'] ([program_tooltip program_id='283641' first='De' last='Anza Force'] SC)- One of the most polished defenders in this pool and would be my guess to start along Brewer at Left Center Back. She has a wand of a left foot and she reads the game at a level well beyond her years. The Oakland native anticipates dangers before it develops and has an amazing athletic profile that enables her to make every play that is needed of her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='147282' first='Kendra' last='Hansen'] ([program_tooltip program_id='283425' first='[program_tooltip program_id='283424' first='Pateadores' last='']' last=''] SC)- a tenacious, versatile outside back who profiles as a genuine lockdown defender and a fierce competitor. She can be trusted to lockdown an opponents most dangerous wide threat as she rarely loses a battle she's committed to. That kind of dependability out wide is worth its weight in gold at a World Cup. Hansen is exactly the type of player coaches love and opposing wingers hate. Hansen would be my pick to start at right back for this group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cassie Travers (Gotham) - pairs outstanding game intelligence and awareness with standout tackling ability. She's reads situations early, positions herself perfectly, and then finishes they play with clean decisive challenges when the moment calls for it. She arrives as one of the younger players on this roster and also eligible for the next U17 World Cup next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='268397' first='Gigi' last='Zuniga'] (Bay FC/MVLA) - One of the most exciting players to watch in this squad blessed with explosive short area quickness and lightning footwork. Her technical quality lets her defend and drive forward with equal comfort, making her a genuine two-way threat down the flank. For a player this young to earn a call-up is a statement about her trajectory. I think she starts at left back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddie Maves (XF Premier)- Another XF product making this squad Maves brings a plethora of experience and a steady presence to this defensive unit. The Seattle native has been a fixture through this cycle and offers Coach Crinion a proven commodity to use on her back line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anaiah Williams (Eclipse Select SC)- arrives in this squad with 10 caps making her one of the more seasoned defenders in this group. The Illinois native has been a mainstay for this team and knows exactly what this level demands. Her experience will be a valuable asset as the USA navigates this tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mia Corona- a technically gifted midfielder who is getting minutes for UCLA already testing herself against collegiate competition at just 16 years of age. With nine caps and a pair of goals, she brings both craft and an eye for the final ball to the middle of the park. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loradanna Paletta (New York [program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC'])- A technical savant and leads this entire roster with 16 caps and five goals, Paletta already possesses a remarkable resume as well as being the youngest player in this pool (born in 2011.) The NYCFC product has been a driving force throughout qualifying and every camp along the way. Her combination of experience and production at such a young age is genuinely special. She will be the heartbeat of this midfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isabella Ortiz (Florida United) - The loan Girl's Academy player in this pool Ortiz has sharp vision and refined technical ability on the ball. She sees passes before they open up and has the quality to execute them under pressure. The Fort Lauderdale native adds a creative dimension to the middle and attacking thirds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112731' first='Jordyn' last='Heathcock'] ([program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas']) - Has been a part of this group since the very first camp of the cycle and brings 8 caps and a goal with her to Morrocco. She has survived every cut across this entire cycle which shows how much the coaching staff trusts her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='112148' first='Grace' last='Murray'] (Beach FC) - Has collected 8 caps and scored a goal in this cycle Murray brings an elite engine and reliability in midfield to this squad. She provides the connective work in the middle third, linking defense to offense, keeps the ball moving and provides tempo control. She is a steadying influence that makes every player around her better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maddie DiMaria (SLSG) - The offensive dynamo and 2-time National Gatorade Player of the Year DiMaria will be tasked with putting the ball in the net and creating chances for her teammates around her. She has 18 caps and scored 12 goals in this cycle the prospect of her and Paletta playing together is a scary thing for any opposition to deal with. She would be my pick to win player of the tournament if the USA come back victorious. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordyn Sullivan (Match Fit Surf) - A dynamic winger who can change a game in an instant with her direct, and fearless dribbling ability. She takes defenders on, drives at the heart of the opposition, and creates havoc every time she gets the ball in space. That kind of one-on-one threat out wide is a nightmare to defend at any level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gianna Hanf (Match Fit Surf) - Hanf is the midfield-to-attack workhorse every team needs. A tireless ball-winner who is dependable and composed in possession. She does the unglamorous work like press and tackle from the front line which leads to a ton of turnovers for the opposition. She brings a motor that doesn't stop and her value won necessarily show up on the stat sheet but her coaches and teammates know exactly how important she is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amari Manning (UNC)- one of three players in this squad who enrolled early in college. Taking her talents to powerhouse North Carolina, and she arrives at this tournament with 12 caps and 6 goals in this cycle. That scoring production paired with a jump to the collegiate games marks her as one of the most advanced attackers in this pool. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deus Stanislaus (UNC) - joins her UNC teammate on this roster with an impressive 12 caps and 9 goals during this cycle. Already competing in one of the toughest environments in college soccer, the Pennsylvania native brings a proven scoring touch to the frontline. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='148139' first='Carolina' last='Reyna'] ([program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'])- carries one of the most recognizable names in American soccer as her brother Gio and father Claudio are some of the most well known players in our countries history. Carolina is trying to carve her own path and will make history as the first brother-sister duo to compete at the U17 World Cup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->