Kelley O’Hara Named to U.S. Women’s National Team Roster For Pair of June Friendlies

U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has named Sky Blue FC’s Kelley O’Hara and 20 other players to the USA roster for a pair of June friendlies in Europe. The team is set to travel to Scandinavia for matches against Sweden on June 8 at Gamla Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg (1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and UDN) and against Norway on June 11 at Komplett Arena in Sandefjord (1 p.m. ET on FOX). Ellis will name 18 players to the game day roster for each of the contests.

These will be the first friendly matches in Europe for the USWNT since February of 2015 when the team faced France in Lorient (a 2-0 loss) and England in Milton Keynes (a 1-0 win). The U.S. Women went on a similar trip to this one in the summer of 2008, but played in Norway first for a 4-0 win in Fredrikstad before heading to Skelleftea and earning a 1-0 victory against Sweden.

The match against Sweden will mark the first meeting between these teams since the quarterfinal of the 2016 Olympics, where the Swedes advanced in a penalty kick shootout after a 1-1 tie through regulation and overtime. The USA has played Sweden 37 times dating back to 1987 and holds a 20-6-11 all-time record. In the last 12 matches between these squads, the USA is 4-3-5, making for one of the most competitive rivalries among the top teams in recent years.

The Norway match-up will be the 50th meeting between these historic teams who combined to win the first five FIFA world championships for women. The USA has played Norway 49 times, which is the most games against any opponent besides Canada and China PR. The USWNT is 28-19-2 all-time against Norway. The 19 wins for Norway are the most for any country against the USA. However, the Americans are riding a five-game winning streak against Norway. The most recent win for the Norwegians came in the opening match of the 2008 Olympics, a 2-0 victory in Qinhuangdao, China.

It’s important to note that players will compete in their National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) games the weekend of June 3 before traveling to Sweden for the start of camp. For Sky Blue FC, that means Kelley O’Hara should be available for the home match against Portland Thorns FC at Yurcak Field on June 3.

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position – Scandinavia Tour 2017

GOALKEEPERS (2): Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Abby Smith (Boston Breakers)

DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Jaelene Hinkle (NC Courage), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash/Manchester City), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)

FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC), Sydney Leroux (FC Kansas City), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride/Olympique Lyonnais), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit)