Pride’s Alex Morgan called up for USWNT; Ashlyn Harris, Ali Krieger left off roster ahead of Tokyo Olympics
Star striker Alex Morgan will head to U.S. women’s national team duty in Texas on a hot streak next month after a strong start to the season with the Orlando Pride.
Morgan earned a spot on the 23-player roster for a trio of June friendlies against Portugal, Jamaica and Nigeria. The matches will serve as the final tune up period for coach Vlatko Andonovski to select his 18-player roster for the postponed Tokyo Olympics, which will take place in July.
Orlando Pride captains Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris were not named the roster. The pair have not been called up to the national team since January, when the Americans played a pair of friendlies against Colombia at Exploria Stadium. Krieger started the second match of that series, while Harris didn’t make the lineup for either match.
Andonovski previously said his decision not to call up Krieger and Harris was not related to the adoption of their daughter, Sloane, in February. The coach said he felt comfortable with his understanding of both players and continued to monitor their play in the NWSL.
Harris and Krieger were both allocated by the United States for the 2021 season, which means the U.S. Soccer federation pays their salary rather than the Pride.
Both players have been mainstays for the U.S. women’s national team for over a decade, winning World Cup trophies in 2015 and 2019. However, neither player has won an Olympic medal with the Americans during their tenure on the national team.
Harris started the 2021 season on a high note, averaging four saves per game and stopping two penalty kicks during the Challenge Cup.
Morgan is poised to return to her starting striker role for the Americans after the birth of her daughter Charlie last summer.
The striker scored in back-to-back games to start the regular season for the Pride, recording two goals and an assist so far this year. Morgan previously scored two goals for the Americans in friendlies this year.
The striker’s return to top form will be important for the Americans as fellow forward Tobin Heath continues to recover from an injury incurred during the FA WSL season.
The Americans will kick off the June series against Portugal on June 10 and Jamaica on June 13 at BBVA Stadium in Houston. Orlando Pride defender Konya Plummer will feature for the Reggae Girlz in the match against Jamaica. The team will then travel to Austin to play Nigeria on June 16 at Q2 stadium.
The Houston matches will be broadcast on FS1, while the Nigeria match will be available on ESPN2.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Julia Poe at jpoe@orlandosentinel.com
