Metuchen, NJ — Eighteen UWS players, past and present, have been called up to represent their respective countries during the June/July international break. Four current UWS players will head out on international duty, while fourteen UWS alumni, playing professionally across the world, will also report for duty.
Ireland (1)
Roma McLaughlin (Connecticut Fusion), who has tallied two goals in UWS play so far this season, has been given the nod to represent the Republic of Ireland. The squad, who just equaled their highest position in the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking at No. 27, traveled to Georgia for a 2023 World Cup Qualifier on June 28 and secured three points with a 9-0 victory.
Jamaica (6)
Olufolasade Adamolekun (Santa Clarita Blue Heat), Kalyssa “Kiki” Van Zanten (Chicago Mustangs, 2021), Satara Murray (FC Austin Elite, 2021), who has recently joined Racing Louisville after a spell with Bristol City, Allyson Swaby (New England Mutiny), currently playing for NWSL expansion team Angel City FC, and younger sister, Chantelle Swaby (New England Mutiny) who plays for Rangers FC, and Chinyelu Asher (Lancaster Inferno, 2020), who plays for Swedish side, AIK, have all been named to the Jamaican Women’s National Team roster. The Reggae Girlz will travel to Monterrey, Mexico for the 2022 Concacaf W Championship looking to qualify for their second-straight World Cup.
Canada (2)
Zoe Burns (Santa Clarita Blue Heat) has been selected to the Canadian Women’s National Team’s 28-player squad. The defending Olympic champions played a 0-0 draw with the Korea Republic in Toronto on Saturday, June 26, as their final preparation game before the 2022 Concacaf W Championship in Mexico. Additionally, Anna Karpenko (Chicago Mustangs, 2021), currently playing at NCAA Division I school, Harvard University, has been a regular feature for the Canadian U-20 Women’s National Team. At the 2022 Concacaf U-20 W Championship in March, Karpenko was awarded Best Goalkeeper for her stellar performances across the tournament.
USYNT (4)
Alyssa Thompson (Santa Clarita Blue Heat), Savannah DeMelo (Santa Clarita Blue Heat, 2021) Emily Madril (Pensacola, 2021 and Santa Clarita Blue Heat, 2018), and Jenna Nighswonger (Los Angeles Galaxy Orange County, 2019) were all selected to represent the United States U-23 Women’s Youth National Team in the Women’s U-23 Three-Nations Tournament hosted by Sweden. The team defeated India by a score of 4-1 in its first game since the fall of 2019. Midfielder Nighswonger scored the game-winning goal, netting her first at the international U-23 level, as well as contributing an assist for the side’s third goal.
USWNT (2)
Taylor Kornieck (LA Galaxy Orange County, 2019), currently playing for NWSL expansion team San Diego Wave FC, and Ashley Sanchez (Santa Clarita Blue Heat, 2019), currently playing with the reigning NWSL Champions, Washington Spirit, were both called up to Vlatko Andonoski’s 23-player squad for two June friendlies before traveling to Mexico for the upcoming 2022 Concacaf W Championship. Kornieck, the former UWS Champion (2019), made her international debut in the squad’s first friendly and scored the team’s third goal of the evening, to defeat Colombia 3-0. The 2019 UWS National Champion’s header made her the 22nd player in USWNT history to score in her first appearance. Sanchez was also a key player for the USWNT entering the game for her eighth appearance and was the difference maker in the midfield allowing her side to gain control of the match.
Latvia (1)
Anna Gornell (Side FC 92, 2021), currently playing Sundsvalls DFF in Sweden, has once again been called up to represent the Latvian Women’s National Team. Gornell featured in the starting eleven on Friday, June 24, as Latvia battled Luxembourg to a 1-0 win in a FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifying game.
Colombia (1)
Catalina Perez (New England Mutiny, 2019), currently playing for Real Betis in the Primera División, has been selected to represent the Colombian Women’s National Team. Perez was the starting goalkeeper for the squad’s recent match-ups against the United States, finishing the first friendly game with an impressive five saves, two of which denied Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle from the penalty spot.
Costa Rica (1)
Carol Sánchez (Lancaster Inferno, 2016), currently playing for Sporting FC, has been named to the Costa Rican Women’s National Team. As part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming 2022 Concacaf W Championship, the squad defeated Haiti 2-1 with Sánchez entering the game as a second-half substitute.
Panama (1)
Carina Baltrip-Reyes (FC Austin Elite 2018) has been named to the Panama Women’s National Team roster who will be participating in the upcoming 2022 Concacaf W Championship. The squad will begin tournament play on July 5 against Costa Rica.
