The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer Texas-Ex Smith called up to U.S. Women’s National Team for exhibitions
05.26.2017 | Soccer
Team USA is scheduled to face Sweden (June 8) and Norway (June 11) during its Scandinavian trip
AUSTIN, Texas – Former Texas soccer standout and current Boston Breakers professional goalkeeper Abby Smith is one of 21 players called up to the U.S. Women's Senior National Team by head coach Jill Ellis for the squad's upcoming exhibition trip through Scandinavia to face Sweden (June 8 in Gothenburg, Sweden) and Norway (June 11 in Sandefjord, Norway).
Ellis will name 18 players to the active game-day roster for each of the team's matches. Smith and Chicago Red Stars net minder Alyssa Naeher are the only two goalkeepers included among the 21 available players.
The contest against Sweden will mark the first meeting between the two teams since the Red, White & Blue lost a penalty kick shootout following a 1-1 tie in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The U.S. and Norway, longtime rivals who combined to win the first five FIFA women's world championships, will meet for the 50th time.
A long-time participant with the U.S. Soccer program, this marks the first time Smith has received a call-up to the U.S. Women's Senior National Team. The Plano, Texas native has previously spent time as part of the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team roster, helping the Americans to titles at the 2015 La Manga and Four National Tournaments. She was also on the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team roster that claimed the crown at the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan and participated in the 2012 CONCACAF Football Qualifying Tournament in Panama City, Panama.
Most recently, Smith has been playing professionally in her second season with the Boston Breakers of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), helping her squad to a 2-2-2 overall record. She has drawn time in net during all six of the Breakers' 2017 matches, registering a pair of shutouts during victories over Sky Blue FC (four saves in a 1-0 win on April 23) and the Seattle Reign (career-high six saves in a 3-0 win on April 29).
U.S. Women's National Team Roster by Position – Scandinavia Tour 2017
GOALKEEPERS (2): Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), ABBY SMITH (Boston Breakers)
DEFENDERS (7): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Jaelene Hinkle (NC Courage), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash/Manchester City), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC)
FORWARDS (5): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC), Sydney Leroux (FC Kansas City), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride/Olympique Lyonnais), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Washington Spirit)
