UTAH ROYALS FC TRIO OF BECKY SAUERBRUNN, KELLEY O’HARA AND CHRISTEN PRESS NAMED TO U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM WORLD CUP ROSTER
Head Coach Jill Ellis Names URFC Trio to Roster Ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France
SANDY, Utah – (Thursday, May 2, 2019) – United States Women’s National Team Head Coach Jill Ellis has called the Utah Royals FC trio of DFs Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O’Hara and FW Christen Press to its squad for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in France.
All three team members are scheduled to return to Utah Royals FC prior to the end of the National Women’s Soccer League regular season.
The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup will be the eighth consecutive World Cup appearance for the USA, which has appeared in each of the previous seven tournaments that have been contested and won in 1991, 1999 and 2015. The USA is one of six countries to qualify for all eight Women's World Cups along with Brazil, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden and Nigeria. The World Cup will be held from June 7-July 7 in nine cities in France. The USA drew into Group F of the tournament, with its opening game against Thailand taking place in Reims on June 11, followed by Chile in Paris on June 16 and then Sweden in Le Havre on June 20.
“Utah Royals FC are proud when any of our players get called for international duty, but a chance to represent the Stars and Stripes during the World Cup is always a special honor,” Utah Royals FC General Manager Stephanie Lee said. “Congratulations on the honor and reward for their hard work.”
A prominent centerback for both club and country, Sauerbrunn receives the call-up for her third consecutive World Cup as part of the defending 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions. Helping the Stars and Stripes to its record third Women’s World Cup title in 2015, the URFC captain will look to lead the USWNT to the first ever back-to-back title in history. A veteran for the USWNT, Sauerbrunn currently holds 155 total appearances for the United States. Sauerbrunn has started and played the full 90 minutes in Utah Royals FC’s two matches thus far in 2019. Additionally, with her start against France on Jan. 19, she became the 20th player, and just the third player who has played exclusively defender, to play 150 times for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
“I’m so incredibly honored to be representing the United States this summer,” Sauerbrunn said. “I was fortunate to be on the team that won four years ago and now I hope to bring the World Cup trophy back to the states and add a fourth star to our jersey.”
O’Hara has 115 appearances for the USWNT over an illustrious 15 year international career. She has featured for the U.S. U-16s through the senior team since 2004, totaling 152 international appearances for the Stars and Stripes having scored 37 total goals. O’Hara has two substitute appearances for Utah Royals FC in 2019, totaling 62 minutes in the two victories.
“It’s an honor to be named to the World Cup roster and to have another chance to represent the United States to try and bring home a fourth star,” O’Hara said.
Press enters her second consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup having too been a member of the 2015 championship team. Press currently carries 113 caps and 47 career goals. She is tied for 11th place on the all-time USWNT goals list. Press departs Utah Royals FC having played every minute for the club in its two matches thus far in 2019, notching a goal and an assist.
“Thank you to my village for pushing me along and giving me the opportunity to fight for another dream,” Press said. “I am filled with gratitude and motivation. France bound!”
Utah Royals FC hosts the Chicago Red Stars on Friday at Rio Tinto Stadium. URFC currently sits second in the NWSL having won its first two matches of 2019. Tickets to Friday’s match can be purchased at UtahRoyalsFC.com or by calling 844.REAL.TIX.
