National Coach Hope Powell has named her England side to take on USA in Saturday’s prestigious friendly at the Matchroom Stadium, home of Leyton Orient FC.
With a line-up that includes the 20 players who finished fifth in the Cyprus Cup at the beginning of the month, Powell has also named Rachel Brown and Karen Carney who both missed the trip to Cyprus through injury. The squad is completed by the inclusion of Katie Chapman and Claire Rafferty.
Powell has admitted that the game will be challenging, but that it will provide perfect preparation ahead of the World Cup. “It’s a privilege to be playing a nation as strong as the USA on home soil,” she said.
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“With the World Cup looming large, this game will provide us with a great opportunity to test ourselves against former world champions and one of the best nations in women’s football.
“We expect it to be a very challenging game, which is exactly what we need at this stage of our preparations for Germany.”
The clash against USA will be England’s penultimate game before they begin their World Cup campaign against Mexico in Wolfsburg on June 27. There is an international fixture date set for May 17, but England’s opponents have yet to be confirmed.
England and Mexico will be joined in World Cup Group B by Japan and New Zealand.
England squad in full:
Goalkeepers
Karen Bardsley (Sky Blue), Rachel Brown (Everton Ladies), Siobhan Chamberlain (Bristol Academy Ladies).
Defenders
Sophie Bradley (Lincoln Ladies), Lindsay Johnson (Everton Ladies), Claire Rafferty (Chelsea Ladies), Alex Scott (Boston Breakers), Casey Stoney (Lincoln Ladies), Dunia Susi (Birmingham City Ladies), Rachel Unitt (Everton Ladies), Faye White (Arsenal Ladies).
Midfielders
Anita Asante (Sky Blue), Laura Bassett (Birmingham City Ladies), Katie Chapman (Arsenal Ladies), Steph Houghton (Arsenal Ladies), Jill Scott (Everton Ladies), Fara Williams (Everton Ladies).
Forwards
Eniola Aluko (Sky Blue), Karen Carney (Birmingham City Ladies), Jess Clarke (Lincoln Ladies), Kelly Smith (Boston Breakers), Sue Smith (Lincoln Ladies), Ellen White (Arsenal Ladies), Rachel Yankey (Arsenal Ladies).
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Image credit: istockphoto.com
