PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Thorns FC defender Rachel Buehler, midfielder Tobin Heath and forward Alex Morgan were all named to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for upcoming matches against Australia and New Zealand, it was announced today.
The U.S. Women’s National Team plays three friendly matches during October, facing Australia on Oct. 20 in San Antonio (10:30 a.m. Pacific on NBC) and New Zealand on Oct. 27 in San Francisco (3:30 p.m. Pacific) and Oct. 30 in Columbus, Ohio (4:30 p.m. Pacific).
Nineteen of the 25 players named to the national team roster played for clubs during the inaugural 2013 National Women’s Soccer League season which ended on Aug. 31 as Thorns FC defeated the Western New York Flash in the championship match at Sahlen’s Stadium in Rochester, N.Y.
Buehler most recently suited up for the U.S. Women’s National Team on Sept. 3 in a 7-0 win over CONCACAF rival Mexico at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The Thorns FC defender notched a goal three minutes after entering the match as a substitute, giving the United States a 6-0 lead in the 55th minute.
Heath, who is currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain in France, was named the Most Valuable Player of the NWSL championship game after scoring the go-ahead goal for Thorns FC on a long-distance free kick in the 40th minute.
Morgan, who missed the last two regular-season matches and the NWSL semifinal playoff win over FC Kansas City with a sprained MCL in her left knee, came on as a late substitute in the championship match against Western New York. The Thorns FC forward provided an assist on Christine Sinclair’s insurance goal in second-half stoppage time in the win. Morgan was named to the U.S. Women’s National Team game-day roster against Mexico on Sept. 3, but was an unused substitute in the match.
