The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer Texas-Ex Abby Smith called up to U.S. Women’s National Team
05.30.2018 | Soccer
Team USA is scheduled to face China PR on June 7 (Sandy, Utah) and June 12 (Cleveland, Ohio)
AUSTIN, Texas – Former Texas soccer standout and current Utah Royals FC goalkeeper Abby Smith is one of 24 players named to the preliminary U.S. Women's Senior National Team roster by head coach Jill Ellis for the squad's upcoming friendlies against China PR (June 7 in Sandy, Utah & June 12 in Cleveland, Ohio).
A long-time participant with the U.S. Soccer program, this marks the third time Smith has received a call-up to the U.S. Women's Senior National Team. She was previously tabbed as the second keeper for friendlies against Sweden (June 8) and Norway (June 11), during the squad's 2017 Scandinavian trip, and spent time on the roster for the 2017 Tournament of Nations. The Plano, Texas native has also been 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 first season with the expansion Utah Royals FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She has helped her squad to a 2-2-5 overall record with four solo shutouts, including recent blankings of the Houston Dash (1-0, May 19) and Washington Spirit (2-0, May 6).
Ellis will eventually name 18 players to the active game-day roster for each of the team's matches against China PR. Smith joins Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Casey Murphy (Montpelier HSC) and Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars) as one of four keepers on the preliminary roster. These matches will also be the last before a 23-player roster is selected for the 2018 Tournament of Nations (featuring the U.S., Australia, Brazil and Japan) that will run from July 26-Aug. 2.
The U.S. and China have met 56 times, second behind Canada on the list of most common opponents for the U.S. WNT, but the two historic women's soccer nations have not played since the final game of 2015, a 1-0 loss in New Orleans in what was legendary striker Abby Wambach's final game.
U.S. Women's National Team Roster by Position – China PR Friendlies – (Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (4): Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride; 15/0), Casey Murphy (Montpellier HSC, FRA; 0/0), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars; 28/0), ABBY SMITH (Utah Royals FC; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (6): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage; 18/0), Tierna Davidson (Stanford; 6/0), Sofia Huerta (Chicago Red Stars; 5/0), Merritt Mathias (NC Courage; 0/0), Margaret Purce (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC; 137/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Morgan Brian (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 74/6), Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars; 59/15), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC; 49/5), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC; 252/100), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage; 34/7), Allie Long (Seattle Reign FC; 37/6), McCall Zerboni (NC Courage; 1/0)
FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (NC Courage; 62/23), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC; 132/18), Savannah McCaskill (Sky Blue FC; 5/0), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride; 140/85), Christen Press (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC, SWE; 98/44), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC; 135/36), Amy Rodriguez (Utah Royals FC; 130/30)
