<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US Women's National Team qualified for the 2023 World Cup during the CONCACAF W Championship.</li><li>Ten days later, the US beat Canada to win the tournament and punched its ticket to the 2024 Olympics.</li></ul><p>The US Women's National Team is officially headed to the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.</p><p>And players are partying accordingly.</p><p>After the Stars and Stripes won the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship on Monday with a vengeful 1-0 victory against Canada, players celebrated the undefeated run — which locked in their spot at next year's Australia and New Zealand World Cup as well as the 2024 Paris Olympics — with pyrotechnics, confetti, loud music, and plenty of booze.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style="margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgLrPGnMQoB" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank"></a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by U.S. Soccer WNT (@uswnt)<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime=""></time></p></div></blockquote><p>Inspired by British Open winner <a href="https://www.insider.com/cam-smith-beer-open-championship-claret-jug-2022-7">Cam Smith's quest to determine how much beer fits in the Claret Jug</a>, <keyword id="11931671" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="uswnt" source="Orion">USWNT</keyword> superstar <keyword id="11976918" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="alex-morgan" source="Orion">Alex Morgan</keyword> set out on an adventure of her own with the silver CONCACAF W Championship cup. At 2:12 a.m. local time, the tournament's Golden Ball winner tweeted that her team's trophy holds an "estimated 20 margaritas."</p><p>She added a photo of herself drinking from the cup for good measure:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Alex Morgan (@alexmorgan13) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1549290996105707521">July 19, 2022</a></blockquote><p>Back in the locker room, players had access to a seemingly unlimited supply of champagne. And with plastic coating protecting the walls, the USWNT was free to pop some bottles and go wild.</p><p>Of course, <keyword id="12095219" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="megan-rapinoe" source="Orion">Megan Rapinoe</keyword> was among the first to take full advantage. The pink-haired striker caught some of her teammates — including <keyword id="14500754" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="midge-purce" source="Orion">Midge Purce</keyword> — by surprise when she started spraying champagne all around the room without any warning.</p><p>In a clip posted to her Instagram, Purce jumps in shock as Rapinoe hits her in the back with the stream of alcohol. The 2019 World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner barely took notice as her teammate shouts "Megan!" at the top of her lungs.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style="margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgLrJABF4ZS" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank"></a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Midge Purce ✞ (@100purcent)<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime=""></time></p></div></blockquote><p>With Anheuser-Busch deemed the "official malt beverage" of US Soccer, it's little surprise that Budweiser featured prominently in the USWNT's postgame revelry. <keyword id="12940541" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rose-lavelle" source="Orion">Rose Lavelle</keyword> enjoyed some Bud Light straight from the signature blue can, while fellow midfielder <keyword id="12683723" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="kristie-mewis" source="Orion">Kristie Mewis</keyword> appeared to pour her drink into a classic red solo cup.</p><div type="image" title="Midfielders Kristie Mewis (left) and Rose Lavelle (right) celebrate in the locker room." height="1194" width="1866" msid="92989905" hostid="261" sizebytes="121782"></div><p>Mewis also caught Lavelle sneaking off behind the plastic wall covering with her <keyword id="12110924" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="beer" source="Orion">beer</keyword> in tow:</p><div type="image" title="Rose Lavelle goes into hiding with her beer." height="1244" width="2130" msid="92989908" hostid="261" sizebytes="132012"></div><p>The USWNT is next scheduled to take the field in September for a pair of friendlies against Nigeria. But if <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2019/07/uswnt-world-cup-celebration-videos-ashlyn-harris-instagram.html">Ashlyn Harris' historic documentation of the 2019 World Cup celebrations</a> has taught us anything, more postgame content is bound to emerge over the coming days for fans to enjoy.</p>

US Women's National Team stars held an epic, booze-filled party after qualifying for the Olympics and World Cup

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="10332612" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="midge-purce">Midge Purce</keyword> met with President Joe Biden alongside <keyword id="9096091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="uswnt">USWNT</keyword> teammate Megan Rapinoe on <keyword id="3319775" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Equal-Pay-Day">Equal Pay Day</keyword>.</li><li>At the <keyword id="6356037" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="white-house">White House</keyword>, the star defender brilliantly explained women's uphill battle for <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> equity.</li><li>Purce - a Harvard graduate - likened the growth of <keyword id="1739459" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Womens-Sports">women's sports</keyword> to cultivating a garden.</li></ul><p>Midge Purce made the most of her time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.</p><div type="image" title="Midge Purce Megan Rapinoe.JPG" height="1666" width="2222" msid="81692878" hostid="261"></div><p>The budding US Women's National Team star <a href="https://www.insider.com/megan-rapinoe-uswnt-visit-white-house-equal-pay-day-2021-3">met with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden</a> alongside teammate <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/megan-rapinoe">Megan Rapinoe</a> Wednesday afternoon <a href="https://twitter.com/josh_wingrove/status/1374534893934415879">to "mark Equal Pay Day."</a> During their White House visit, the duo spoke about gender inequity in sport and their team's <a href="https://www.insider.com/uswnt-equal-pay-lawsuit-loss-explained-2020-5">continued fight for fair compensation</a> in front of the first family and fellow USWNT stars who attended virtually.</p><p>Purce - a 2017 Harvard graduate and an elected member of the university's esteemed "Board of Overseers" - has proven to be as skilled an orator as she is a soccer player. So when she stepped to the podium in the South Court Auditorium of the White House's Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the 25-year-old delivered a stunning speech about the importance of <keyword id="1656926" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="equal-pay">equal pay</keyword> for women across society.</p><div type="image" title="midge purce" height="1666" width="2222" msid="81692881" hostid="261"></div><p>She also came up with a brilliant metaphor to underscore the importance of proper investment in women's sports and their athletes, likening the growth of women's sports leagues to cultivating a garden.</p><p>"You would never expect a flower to bloom without water," Purce said. "But women in sport who have been denied water, sunlight, and soil are somehow expected to blossom."</p><p>"Invest in women, then let's talk again when you see the return."</p><p>Check out Purce's full comments - as well as those from Rapinoe, <keyword id="10247921" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="president-biden">President Biden</keyword>, and the First Lady - below:</p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UIX1vg1iAYs" frameborder="0"></iframe>

A budding USWNT star explained women's uphill battle for equality in sports with a brilliantly simple metaphor

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="2890306" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Megan-Rapinoe">Megan Rapinoe</keyword> finally went "to the f------ <keyword id="6356037" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="white-house">White House</keyword>" on Wednesday.</li><li>The <keyword id="9096091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="uswnt">USWNT</keyword> star and teammate <keyword id="10332612" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="midge-purce">Midge Purce</keyword> met with President <keyword id="99719" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Joe-Biden">Joe Biden</keyword> <a href="https://twitter.com/josh_wingrove/status/1374534893934415879">to "mark Equal Pay Day."</a></li><li>The USWNT's <keyword id="9153880" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="equal-pay-lawsuit">equal pay lawsuit</keyword> has served as a rallying cry for women across the United States.</li></ul><p>Nearly two years after Megan Rapinoe rocked the world by declaring <a href="https://twitter.com/8by8mag/status/1143595809910530048?lang=en">"I'm not going to the f------ White House,"</a> the pink-haired US Women's National Team superstar has finally made her way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.</p><p>Rapinoe and USWNT defender Midge Purce met with President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in Washington on Wednesday <a href="https://twitter.com/josh_wingrove/status/1374534893934415879">to "mark Equal Pay Day."</a> Along with their USWNT teammates who joined the summit virtually, Rapinoe and Purce were invited to the White House to discuss their own team's <keyword id="1656926" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="equal-pay">equal pay</keyword> lawsuit that has served as a rallying cry for women across the United States.</p><div type="image" title="uswnt equal pay" height="2256" width="2104" msid="81678842" hostid="261"></div><p>Back in March of 2019, Rapinoe was among the 28 USWNT players who sued the US Soccer Federation. The players alleged that the soccer governing body engaged in "institutionalized gender discrimination" by providing favorable compensation and resources to the men's national team.</p><p>And even though the <a href="https://www.insider.com/uswnt-lawsuit-players-us-soccer-settle-working-conditions-travel-fields-2020-12">two parties agreed to a settlement</a> in December that required the federation to provide the USWNT with access to flights, hotels, resources, and venues on par with those granted to the men's national team, the equal pay component of the litigation wages on. The players plan to appeal the presiding <a href="https://www.insider.com/uswnt-equal-pay-lawsuit-loss-explained-2020-5">judge's dismissal of their claims of unequal compensation</a>, thereby stretching the lawsuit into its third year.</p><div type="image" title="megan rapinoe joe biden" height="1660" width="2214" msid="81679164" hostid="261"></div><p>Upon speaking in front of the president and first lady on Wednesday, Rapinoe spoke about her team's continued fight for equal pay despite their resounding success on the field.</p><p>"I've helped, along with my teammates ... here today, win four World Cup championships and four Olympic gold medals for the United States," she said. "And despite those wins, I've been devalued, I've been disrespected, and dismissed because I am a woman."</p><p>"And I've been told that I don't deserve any more than less because I am a woman," she added.</p><div type="image" title="Midge Purce Megan Rapinoe.JPG" height="1666" width="2222" msid="81679167" hostid="261"></div><p>For her part, Purce explained the importance of sufficient investment in women's <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> and its athletes, likening the growth of women's sports to cultivating a garden.</p><p>"You would never expect a flower to bloom without water," she said. "But women in sport who have been denied water, sunlight, and soil are somehow expected to blossom."</p><p>"Invest in women, then let's talk again when you see the return."</p><p>You can view the event in its entireity here:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-The White House  (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1374827531736473601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2021</a></blockquote><p>Before Rapinoe and Purce met with <keyword id="313519" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Potus">POTUS</keyword> and FLOTUS, they took a tour of the White House. Photos and videos of the pair's visit to the White House Press Briefing Room began circulating on social media Wednesday afternoon.</p><p>"I'm smiling under here," Rapinoe quipped while posing behind the podium.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-CSPAN  (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1374804149850800137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2021</a></blockquote><p>And earlier in the day, Rapinoe testified in the House Committee on Oversight and Reform's "Equal Pay Day" hearing. The striker joined the proceedings virtually and spoke to the economic harm of longstanding and continued gender inequity, which disproportionately impacts women of color.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Carolyn B. Maloney  (@RepMaloney) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1374731947470098436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2021</a></blockquote>

Trump foe Megan Rapinoe finally went 'to the f---ing White House' to discuss the USWNT's equal pay fight

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="10332613" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="charlie-carrasco">Charlie Carrasco</keyword>, <keyword id="480510" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Alex-Morgan">Alex Morgan</keyword>'s 6-month-old daughter, met her 22 new aunts at the <keyword id="9096091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="uswnt">USWNT</keyword>'s camp in the Netherlands.</li><li>National team stars have competed for the esteemed role of "Charlie's bestie," and according to Instagram, <keyword id="7841238" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Rose-Lavelle">Rose Lavelle</keyword>, <keyword id="10332612" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="midge-purce">Midge Purce</keyword>, and <keyword id="2928090" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kelley-OHara">Kelley O'Hara</keyword> lead the charge.</li><li>The happy baby has taken over social media as the USWNT prepares for its highly-anticipated rematch of the 2019 World Cup final.</li></ul><p>The 23 players on the latest US Women's National Team roster ahead of the team's first game in 261 days and their unofficial 24th member have caused quite a stir on social media.</p><p>Charlie Carrasco, the 6-month-old daughter of superstar striker Alex Morgan, met her mom's teammates for the first time at the USWNT's camp this week. And as Vlatko Andonovski's squad has been gearing up for a 2019 World Cup final rematch against the Netherlands on Friday, an unofficial competition to become "Charlie's bestie" has broken out among her 22 new aunts.</p><div type="image" title="Alex Morgan" height="732" width="976" msid="79412593" hostid="261"></div><p>According to Morgan's Instagram stories posted Tuesday, midfielders Rose Lavelle and defenders Midge Purce and Kelley O'Hara are currently edging out the rest of the competition for Charlie's affection. Beyond mastering the art of slicing up defenders, Lavelle has become a high-profile peek-a-boo player, eliciting plenty of giggles from the 2040 USWNT prospect.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Kathleen McNamee  (@kathleen_mcn) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1331185082183331840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote><p>Then, Charlie got up to some mischief with Purce, one of the USWNT's newer additions. While Morgan and other players enjoyed a meal, Purce held Charlie as she investigated some plants hanging in what appeared to be a hotel lobby. When the baby reached out and pulled off a leaf, Purce attempted to hide the evidence before realizing they'd been caught on camera.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Best Of Alex Morgan  (@BestAlexMorgan) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1331249198369558529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote><p>O'Hara nearly blew her big chance to impress Charlie. The two-time World Cup champion jumped out from behind a couch to surprise the 6-month-old while sitting in her stroller. Charlie was startled at first before bursting into laughter.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Isa ミ☆  (@SnixxHeath) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1330482198844219392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2020</a></blockquote><p>The USWNT kicks off against the reigning European champions Friday at 12:45 p.m. EST. Should Morgan see the field, it'll constitute her first appearance for the national team since her Silver Boot performance at the 2019 World Cup. It'll also be her first in Charlie's lifetime.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/uswnt-roster-new-players-vs-netherlands-2020-2020-11">Get to know the newest additions to the USWNT ahead of the team's 2019 World Cup final rematch against the Netherlands</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/uswnt-star-lindsey-horan-out-netherlands-game-covid-19-positive-2020-11">The USWNT will return to action without one of its most dominant stars after she tests positive for COVID-19</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/uswnt-roster-megan-rapinoe-carli-lloyd-off-netherlands-squad-2020-11">Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd, and 7 other 2019 World Cup stars were left off of the USWNT's roster just 8 months ahead of the Olympics</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/megan-rapinoe-sue-bird-net-worth-make-spend-money-2020-11">Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird are one of the biggest power couples in sports. Here's how they make and spend their millions.</a></li></ul>

Alex Morgan's 6-month-old daughter has been the star of USWNT camp, and her 22 new aunts are competing to be her bestie

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="9096091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="uswnt">USWNT</keyword> head coach Vlatko Andonovski has selected his 18-player roster for the <keyword id="6360967" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="olympics">Olympics</keyword>.</li><li>Veteran stars <keyword id="2890306" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Megan-Rapinoe">Megan Rapinoe</keyword>, <keyword id="480510" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Alex-Morgan">Alex Morgan</keyword>, and <keyword id="243090" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Carli-Lloyd">Carli Lloyd</keyword> will all make the trip to Tokyo.</li><li>Some younger players were left off the roster, as Andonovski seemingly prioritized experience.</li></ul><p>The US Women's National Team roster is here.</p><p>Head coach Vlatko Andonovski is bringing some of the best women's soccer players on the planet with him to represent Team USA at this summer's Olympics. And unlike the 2019 World Cup, where former head coach Jill Ellis had 23 athletes at her disposal, Andonovski has room for just 18 players on his roster.</p><div type="image" title="uswnt" height="1530" width="2040" msid="83780936" hostid="261"></div><p>Here's the group of players heading to Tokyo for the USWNT:</p><blockquote><p><strong>Goalkeepers:</strong> Alyssa Naeher, Adrianna Franch</p><p><strong>Defenders:</strong> Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper, Kelley O'Hara, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn</p><p><strong>Midfielders:</strong> Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Sam Mewis, Kristie Mewis, Rose Lavelle</p><p><strong>Forwards:</strong> Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Tobin Heath</p></blockquote><p>Andonovski appears to have prioritized experience over potential for this squad. His group of forwards - headlined by Carli Lloyd, who will turn 39 during the Olympics - does not feature a single player younger than 30 years old. Meanwhile, up-and-coming stars like defender Midge Purce, midfielder Catarina Macario, and striker Sophia Smith were all left off of the team this time around.</p><div type="image" title="midge purce" height="1666" width="2222" msid="83780939" hostid="261"></div><p>Notably, USWNT mainstays Tobin Heath and Julie Ertz were both named to the roster despite lingering injuries that looked to be threatening their chances of making the trip to Tokyo. Longtime fan-favorite Kristie Mewis will finally make her debut at a major international tournament after years of trying to break through. She'll join her younger sister, superstar Sam Mewis, in the midfield for the USWNT.</p><p>Aside from the younger stars mentioned above, a number of former regulars were cut from the final squad for this summer's Olympics. Goalkeepers Jane Campbell and Ashlyn Harris, defenders Ali Krieger, Casey Krueger, and Alana Cook, forwards Lynn Williams and Mallory Pugh, and midfielder Andi Sullivan all narrowly missed the roster after recent stints with the USWNT.</p><div type="image" title="Lynn Williams waits for a USWNT substitution." height="1666" width="2222" msid="83780945" hostid="261"></div><p>Campbell, Krueger, Macario, and Williams will serve as alternates in Tokyo. Should one of the 18 players on the main roster need a replacement, one of the four will fill their vacant position.</p><p>The USWNT embarks on its journey to becoming the first team to earn gold directly after winning the World Cup with a grudge match against Sweden July 21. The Swedish national team instantly became one of the USWNT's biggest rivals after booting the stars and stripes from contention early in the 2016 Olympics.</p><p>The US will round out the group stage with games against New Zealand on July 24 and Australia on July 27.</p>

Here are the 18 players on the US women's soccer roster headed to Tokyo for the Olympics

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="7841238" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Rose-Lavelle">Rose Lavelle</keyword> has blossomed into one of the most lethal offensive weapons on a stacked <keyword id="9096091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="uswnt">USWNT</keyword>.</li><li>But on the club level, the 25-year-old is struggling to find playing time with <keyword id="39498" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Manchester-City">Manchester City</keyword>.</li><li>Keeping Lavelle on the bench is a missed opportunity for the WSL side and its manager, Gareth Taylor.</li></ul><p>Rose Lavelle has blossomed into a bona fide star for the perennially stacked US Women's National Team.</p><p>Even the most casual women's <keyword id="3071" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Soccer">soccer</keyword> fans will remember Lavelle's megawatt breakout during the 2019 World Cup final when the then-24-year-old fired a left-footed bullet off the dribble to deliver the nail in the Netherlands' coffin and secure the USWNT's fourth star. Lavelle has been one of the national team's most lethal weapons ever since, <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-rose-lavelle-goal-vs-netherlands-left-footed-rocket-2020-11">scoring a handful of goals</a> from her post as an attacking midfielder and earning starts in most of her appearances for Vlatko Andonovski's squad.</p><div type="image" title="rose lavelle.JPG" height="1874" width="2500" msid="81132062" hostid="261"></div><p>All of this is to say Lavelle is one of the top players on <em>the </em>top team on the planet. So why isn't she getting substantive playing time with her club?</p><h2>Lavelle's tenure with Manchester City has been lackluster</h2><p>This summer, Lavelle <a href="https://www.insider.com/european-soccer-clubs-poaching-american-stars-covid-19-pandemic-2020-9">followed the lead of her USWNT teammate</a> Sam Mewis and signed a one-year contract with Manchester City. From the beginning, expectations were high that Lavelle would facilitate out of the midfield or create opportunities for herself in space to provide an instant jumpstart to the FA Women's Super League club's attack.</p><p>But instead, Lavelle has largely taken in the team's matches from the sidelines.</p><div type="image" title="manchester city" height="1827" width="2436" msid="81132063" hostid="261"></div><p>Thanks to an ankle injury, her debut for the club came six games after her arrival overseas. In that 28-minute stint off the bench versus Tottenham, Lavelle showed promise in that No. 10 spot that's given her so much success with the USWNT.</p><p>After that, though, the young star mostly found herself riding the bench or playing out of position for Gareth Taylor's squad. Taylor has insisted that Lavelle can "affect the game wherever she plays," but, unsurprisingly, her production has suffered as a result.</p><p>And just as she appeared to be finding her footing within Taylor's scheme, Lavelle sustained an injury. In an early December match against Everton - her second start for Manchester City in roughly three months with the club -she fell awkwardly, tweaking her knee severely enough to require multiple weeks of recovery.</p><div type="image" title="rose lavelle" height="1406" width="1875" msid="81132064" hostid="261"></div><p>Since returning, Lavelle has seen herself fall further out of Taylor's midfield rotation. She earned just 26 minutes off the bench in Manchester City's victory against West Ham on January 31. And even after scoring a goal in the lopsided affair, Lavelle was granted four and six minutes, respectively, off the bench in the Blues' following two matches.</p><h2>All the while, Lavelle's output for the USWNT has been characteristically stellar</h2><p>Since Lavelle joined ranks with Manchester City in the summer of 2020, the USWNT has played four matches. In the squad's first match since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic - a grudge match against the Netherlands to end a 261-day hiatus for Andonovski's side - Lavelle got the starting nod. She delivered<a href="https://www.insider.com/video-rose-lavelle-goal-vs-netherlands-left-footed-rocket-2020-11"> an absolute rocket</a> in the 41st minute to put the US on the board.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—U.S. Soccer WNT  (@USWNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1332389859114233856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote><p>In a pair of friendlies against Colombia two months later, Lavelle subbed-in 64 minutes into the first match and earned the start in the next. Although her efforts on the pitch didn't translate to the stats sheet, her extended time in the game was a stark contrast from her recent experience at the club level.</p><p>Then, in Thursday night's SheBelieves Cup match against archrival Canada, she once again broke through. After the US struggled to make headway in the attacking third, Lavelle came in off the bench in the 64th minute and, 15 minutes later, one-touched a loose ball into the back of the net to give the USWNT the 1-0 win.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—U.S. Soccer WNT  (@USWNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1362580900945485826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote><p>The strike even prompted outside back Midge Purce - who enjoyed a stellar performance in her own right - to call Lavelle the game changer of the rivalry match.</p><p>"Rose was remarkable," Purce said. "Her goal was beautiful."</p><p>"Rose, in particular, brings this creativity that is just so special," she added later. "You get lost watching it, and I have to remind myself, 'Get up, go with the team!' because you can just get lost watching her."</p><h2>Lavelle's success with the USWNT renews calls to give her more time in Manchester City</h2><p>Following each of Lavelle's breakthroughs for the USWNT, fans and analysts alike are typically quick to point out how lethal she is on the attack when employed appropriately. Many - admittedly, myself included - have questioned her use overseas and called on the powers that be at Manchester City to review the tape and reconsider their stance on the American star.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Grant Wahl  (@GrantWahl) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1327622747170672642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Molly Hensley-Clancy  (@mollyhc) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1332389205679411200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Elisabeth Schendel  (@lis_ashlee) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1332389117540274176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Emma N  (@enchi165) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1362583621002027009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Men in Blazers  (@MenInBlazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1362579139136524288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—BLUE BALLS NYCFC  (@BlueBallsPod) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1362580243895250944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—ashna  (@ashnaguliani) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1352789636775432192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2021</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Meredith Cash  (@mercash22) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1362579152684081152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Claire Watkins  (@ScoutRipley) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1360305857188093952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2021</a></blockquote><p>There is little doubt that Lavelle is at her best when she is empowered to attack from the center of the field, but she hasn't been afforded that luxury since her early days in Britain. To this point, Taylor has largely appeared unwilling to compromise on his typical formation (4-3-3) which boasts three true forwards and usually holds midfielders back from pushing up to attack with regularity.</p><div type="image" title="rose lavelle" height="1753" width="2345" msid="81132066" hostid="261"></div><p>In other words, Lavelle's natural 10 positioning doesn't fit the scheme Manchester City has in place. And, to be fair, it is tough to argue with Taylor's logic when his team has won each of its last five <keyword id="10056419" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fa-wsl">FA WSL</keyword> matches and sits in second on the league table.</p><p>Even still, Lavelle is a bright enough star to warrant a system molded to her strengths. And every time she shines for the world's greatest team in its most crucial moments, Lavelle raises more eyebrows in Taylor's direction.</p>

Rose Lavelle has been sensational for the USWNT, so her lack of playing time for Manchester City is puzzling

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="10036818" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="rocky-rodriguez">Rocky Rodriguez</keyword> scored a stunner for her first <keyword id="1934" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Goal">goal</keyword> with the <keyword id="9476667" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="portland-thorns">Portland Thorns</keyword>.</li><li>The Costa Rican superstar hit a one-touch volley into the back of the net to extend Portland's lead to 3-0 in their grudge match against rival Seattle Reign.</li><li>The newly-minted Thorns midfielder turned around and threw her arms out wide in celebration before her impressive strike had soared into the goal, channeling NBA sharpshooter Steph Curry.</li></ul><p>Rocky Rodriguez's first goal for the Portland Thorns was nothing short of stunning, and the Costa Rican superstar knew it before the ball hit the back of the net.</p><p>In the 57th minute of the Thorns rivalry match against the Seattle Reign at Providence Park Wednesday night, Portland striker Simone Charley beat her defender and delivered a cross from just outside the box. Rodriguez connected on the other end, launching a left-footed one-touch volley from the penalty spot past the outstretched hands of Reign goalkeeper Michelle Betos to extend the Thorns' lead to 3-0.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Portland Thorns FC  (@ThornsFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1311507615239659520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2020</a></blockquote><p>Rodriguez's suave celebration was arguably just as impressive as the <keyword id="5086581" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Golazo">golazo</keyword> itself; she did her best impression of NBA sharpshooter Steph Curry, who regularly runs up the court before his signature three-pointers fall through the net. The newly-minted Portland midfielder turned around and threw her arms out wide before her impressive strike had soared into the goal.</p><p>"I'm gonna try to describe it in words because I think that the best description is my reaction," Rodriguez said, reflecting the goal to the media after the game. "That's a dream goal that you would want to score, not only in Providence Park but your first goal with the Thorns. What a special night for me and, of course, for the team as well."</p><p>"When you score like that, you just have to celebrate that with your teammates," she added.</p><div type="image" title="rocky rodriguez" height="1665" width="2221" msid="78433117" hostid="261"></div><p>Rodriguez spent four seasons with New Jersey-based <keyword id="4451139" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="nwsl">NWSL</keyword> club Sky Blue FC before getting traded to Portland in January of 2020. A bona fide star in her own right, Rodriguez has since been instrumental in leading a 2020 Thorns squad that traded away Midge Purce and lost USWNT standout Tobin Heath to Manchester United in the fall.</p><p>Alongside Canadian icon Christine Sinclair and USWNT star Lindsey Horan, Rodriguez has helped Portland to the top of the standings in the NWSL's Fall Series — including an eventual 4-1 victory Wednesday night. And even though the club has played its entire 2020 slate without its infamous "Rose City Riveters" fanbase present at games, Rodriguez told the press that scoring a goal on her new home turf at Providence Park was one of her objectives for the year.</p><div type="image" title="rocky rodriguez.JPG" height="1666" width="2222" msid="78433119" hostid="261"></div><p>"I set myself a personal goal to hopefully be able to score in my new home field this year, and I only had like two chances," Rodriguez said. "It meant a lot to me to be able to contribute for the team, and that goal is just so much fun. That's the kind of goal that you enjoy double."</p><p>Rodriguez and the Thorns will play two more matches before completing their Fall Series schedule. They'll take on the Utah Royals at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, on Saturday before traveling to Washington for a rematch against Seattle the following week.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/womens-world-cup-champion-yuki-nagasato-joins-mens-soccer-club-2020-9">A women's World Cup champion is set to make history as the first female soccer star to play professionally with a men's club</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/european-soccer-clubs-poaching-american-stars-covid-19-pandemic-2020-9">European clubs are poaching US Women's Soccer stars thanks to the coronavirus pandemic</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/utah-royals-sexism-sexy-photoshoots-players-too-ugly-for-ads-2020-9">An executive for a club in the women's top soccer league is accused of pushing for 'sexy' photoshoots and preventing players deemed 'too ugly' from being featured in ads</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/portland-thorns-eckerstrom-save-nc-courage-nwsl-challenge-cup-2020-7">A remarkable save from a third-string keeper helped the bottom-seeded Portland Thorns pull off the upset of the Challenge Cup</a></li></ul>

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US Women's National Team stars held an epic, booze-filled party after qualifying for the Olympics and World Cup

Meredith Cash

A budding USWNT star explained women's uphill battle for equality in sports with a brilliantly simple metaphor

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Trump foe Megan Rapinoe finally went 'to the f---ing White House' to discuss the USWNT's equal pay fight

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Alex Morgan's 6-month-old daughter has been the star of USWNT camp, and her 22 new aunts are competing to be her bestie

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Here are the 18 players on the US women's soccer roster headed to Tokyo for the Olympics

Meredith Cash

Rose Lavelle has been sensational for the USWNT, so her lack of playing time for Manchester City is puzzling

Meredith Cash

An NWSL superstar pulled a Steph Curry after scoring a stunning first goal with her new club

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