Happy Olympic season! Rosters have been announced, training has begun, and people are already making predictions. For the USA, it’s hard not to compare past teams to the new kids in town. Let’s take a look at the USWNT roster from the last Olympics and where they are now.
Retired
Since the last Olympic games and even in the last year, we’ve seen many retirements. Megan Rapinoe made it all the way to the NWSL final before retiring after last season. She is now focused full-time on activism and creative projects.
Julie Ertz called it to focus on family and health. After a long and tumultuous battle with injury, Sam Mewis decided on an early retirement after a stellar career and began hosting her own podcast, The Women’s Game. Carli Lloyd retired in 2021 but still makes plenty of game-time appearances as a broadcast pundit. Though still playing domestically for Gotham and Portland, respectively, Kelley O’Hara and Becky Sauerbrunn, absolute legends for this squad’s back and midline, have retired from international play.
Still going strong
Plenty of the stars from the USWNT are still lacing up for their respective teams but didn’t make the Olympic roster this time around. Alex Morgan, despite showing up for the team in her typical way in those last few international friendlies, was very notably left off this—probably her last—shot at an Olympic spot. Though she is still riding high with the San Diego Wave, she is, of course, disappointed to be missing out on Paris.
Tobin Heath is a bit of a question mark. Though technically still an active player and eligible for the roster, she has been a free agent since 2022 and isn’t currently attached to any team. She and Christen Press host the podcast The RE–CAP Show, which is all about women’s soccer. Speaking of Press, after a long road of recovery, the forward is back at training and has ambition to rejoin Angel City next season.
In the goal for KC Current, Adrianna Franch will be sitting this series out because Naeher will be our Olympic keeper. Abby Dahlkemper underwent back surgery in 2022 and returned to San Diego Wave in 2023. Kristie Mewis made her World Cup debut at the last World Cup but won’t be joining for the Olympics; she and superstar fiancé Sam Kerr will be cheering from the sidelines for their respective nations throughout the games.
On the squad
Emma Hayes’ squad had some sure things, a few surprises, and some wishes come true. For one, Crystal Dunn is finally back at forward, and as one of the most reliable scorers in the NWSL, it’s a move that makes sense. It’s getting to that point for Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Horan, where it’s hard to imagine a major tournament without them, so of course they’ll be playing. Another sure thing is our super keeper, Alyssa Naeher. Rounding out the returners for the backline are Emily Sonnett and Tierna Davidson, which leaves our defense in great hands.
Featured image via Getty Images
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