Kelley O'Hara Named to U.S. WNT Roster for Upcoming Friendlies Against Canada

Sky Blue FC's Kelley O'Hara is one of 23 players named to the U.S. Women’s National Team training camp roster for the final two matches of 2017 as the USA faces Canada on Nov. 9 at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada (7 p.m. PT on ESPN2, Univision app and UDN delayed at 1 a.m. ET) and on Nov. 12 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (6 p.m. PT on FS1). U.S. WNT head coach Jill Ellis will name 18 players to suit up for each of the two friendlies.

Canada is ranked fifth in the world after a bronze medal finish at the 2016 Olympics, but the two squads haven’t faced each other since the title game of the 2016 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship. The USA won 2-0 to take the regional title after both teams had already qualified for Brazil by winning semifinal matches. Historically, the USA is 47-3-6 all-time against Canada.

Of the 23 players named to the roster, 18 helped the U.S. WNT earn two wins against Korea Republic in October. Tobin Heath returns from an ankle knock suffered in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) title game, while defender Taylor Smith has recovered from a shoulder injury suffered in that same game. Adrianna Franch, the 2017 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, returns to the U.S WNT roster after an excellent club season in which she helped the Portland Thorns record 12 regular season shutouts, as well as win the league title. She most recently participated in a WNT training camp in January of this year.

Ellis has recalled Portland Thorns defender Emily Sonnett, who is playing in Australia’s W-League during the NWSL off-season with Sydney FC. Sonnett has 12 caps for the USA.

Chioma Ubogagu of the Orlando Pride earned her first WNT call-up and will train as an outside back after playing that position at times with her club this season. Ubogagu was a key member of the USA's 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup championship team along with current WNT players Samantha Mewis, Julie Ertz, Crystal Dunn and Morgan Brian.

Forward Mallory Pugh (hamstring), midfielder Rose Lavelle (hamstring) and midfielder Morgan Brian (hamstring) were unavailable for selection for this event due to injuries. Forward Crystal Dunn was not released by her club Chelsea FC, which is playing Champions League Round of 16 matches against FC Rosengård of Sweden.

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Caps/Goals):

GOALKEEPERS (4): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 2/0), Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 14/0), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 21/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage; 11/0), Sofia Huerta (Chicago Red Stars; 3/0), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC; 102/2), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City; 133/0), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars; 17/0), Taylor Smith (NC Courage; 5/0), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC; 12/0), Chioma Ubogagu (Orlando Pride; 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 55/13), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 41/4), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash; 244/97), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC; 32/6), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage; 32/7), Andi Sullivan (Stanford; 5/0)

FORWARDS (5): Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC; 132/18), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride; 132/78), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars; 94/44), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC; 127/34), Lynn Williams (NC Courage; 13/4)