Morgan, Rapinoe, Johnston return for USWNT's friendlies vs. Romania
The U.S. women's national team will close the book on 2016 next month with a pair of friendlies against Romania, and manager Jill Ellis has brought back some missing faces from October's two wins over Switzerland, while continuing to mix in novices while looking to create her core for the future.
Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg and Ali Krieger all return to the fold, while five of the 11 uncapped players called in for the Switzerland friendlies return and join two more uncapped players: Portland Thorns goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and Orlando Pride midfielder Kristen Edmonds.
Co-captain Carli Lloyd, who will be getting married in November, is not taking part in this camp, as she has alluded to publicly in stating that the Switzerland games would be her last of the year. Lloyd scored twice in the most recent victory, a 5-1 win on Oct. 23, including a rocket from 30 yards to bring the U.S. out of a 1-0 deficit.
Among the returning newcomers are forwards Kealia Ohai and Lynn Williams, both of whom less than a minute into their respective debuts.
"Our last training camp and games with Switzerland were extremely positive in regards to giving new players a chance to perform, continuing the process of deepening the player pool and fostering competition within the squad," Ellis said in a statement. "With this dynamic mix of players, we are looking forward to the environment and to finishing off the year on a winning note."
The U.S. will play Romania at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California, on Nov. 10, before heading south to wrap the year three days later at StubHub Center in Carson. They will be the first women's soccer matches ever between the two nations on the senior level.
Here is the USA's roster in full:
GOALKEEPERS: Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS: Abby Dahlkemper (Western New York Flash), Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars)
MIDFIELDERS: Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Kristen Edmonds (Orlando Pride), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign), Andi Sullivan (Stanford)
FORWARDS: Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Lynn Williams (Western New York Flash)
This article originally appeared on 
