USWNT Prepares for European Friendlies Without 3 Starters

When the United States women's national team takes on France today, it will do so without three starters in midfielder Megan Rapinoe, defender Christie Rampone and goalkeeper Hope Solo.

Rampone and Rapinoe each picked up minor injuries during January’s training camp, per U.S. Soccer. Solo is serving a 30-day suspension that was handed down Jan. 21 by the United States Soccer Federation.

Those absences mean that players will have to step up, especially those who are on the fringe of making head coach Jill Ellis’ World Cup roster.

The most uncertain spot on the field for Ellis’ side is between the pipes. The U.S. women have relied on Hope Solo for nearly a decade but will be without her until the end of February at the earliest. She missed a significant chunk of time during the build-up to the 2011 World Cup as she battled back from shoulder surgery, so Team USA has been put into this situation before.

Nicole Barnhart stepped in then and looked to have secured her spot as a backup on the roster. But Barnhart has been left out of camp rosters of late, largely due to Injury.

Alyssa Naeher came off a breakout season in the National Women’s Soccer League where she earned 2014 Goalkeeper of the Year honors despite the Boston Breakers' finishing near the bottom of the table. She has earned just a single cap, coming in December against Argentina.

Ashlyn Harris also had an impressive 2014 NWSL season for the Washington Spirit. She finished the year with a 1.632 goals-against average in 19 appearances. After Harris failed to make a number of game rosters, Nicole Barnhart's absence and Jillian Loyden’s retirement saw Harris leap into the No. 2 slot for Team USA.

It will be intriguing to see whom Ellis goes to for the matches against France and England (Feb. 13). Much has been said about the goalkeeping corps' lack of experience in Solo’s absence. Naeher and Harris have a combined five caps, while Barnhart brings 54 appearances to the table. Should Solo not be brought back into the U.S. squad, Ellis will need a solid, reliable option between the pipes.

The remainder of the roster held few surprises. Alex Morgan is expected back at full strength following an ankle injury suffered during World Cup qualifying in October.

Chicago Red Stars defender Julie Johnston, who has struggled to break into the lineup, has a chance to make her case for a World Cup spot. Johnston, who was drafted fourth in the 2014 NWSL draft, can play centrally on the back line or as a defensive midfielder.

Washington Spirit midfielder/defender Tori Huster has the opportunity to earn her first cap with the senior women’s national team. She has spent time with the U.S. youth teams, including the Under-23 Women’s national team. Like Johnston, Huster has the versatility to play as a centrally on the back line or in the midfield.

Take a look at the complete roster:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City), Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers)
DEFENDERS (9): Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Tori Huster (Washington Spirit), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City)
FORWARDS (5): Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Abby Wambach (Western NY Flash)