We are just days away from the 2023 Women’s World Cup kicking off in the host countries Australia and New Zealand. Women’s soccer has been on an upward trajectory since the last world cup in 2019. Teams have been adding depth, the US isn’t by far the favorite like in years past, and some are saying this is going to be the most competitive and best women’s World Cup yet!
The US Women’s national team takes a different form this year with injuries plaguing the roster. Notable names sidelines include: Mallory Pugh/Swanson, Becky Sauerbrunn, Catarina Macario, Tobin Heath, Christen Press, and Sam Mewis. This makes for an interesting time both for the team and fans, as we will get to see many new faces take the field in their first World Cup.
I’m here to give fans a guide to collecting the new stars and veterans that will be suiting up for the US. Though there still isn’t much variety in women’s soccer product, companies like Panini and Parkside have added some new cards into the miz in recent years to hopefully allow everyone to collect the player/s that they like.
Goalkeepers
Alyssa Naeher: A name USWNT fans will recognize! Naeher was the goalie in net for the 2019 Women’s World Cup and has become a staple in the lineup. Naeher plays in the NWSL for the Chicago Red Stars where she recently became the all time saves leader in the league surpassing USWNT alumni, Ashlynn Harris.
Caps: 91
College: Penn State
Fun Fact: Naeher is one of the 4 twins on the roster.
Best Card: 2016 Panini USA Soccer Prime Silhouettes Patch Auto w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2015 Panini USA Soccer Patch Card /299 or Auto /199
Casey Murphy: It seems that Murphy is next in line to take over the goalkeeper position for the USWNT. Since being a part of the package in the deal that sent Crystal Dunn to OL Reign and Murphy to NC Courage, she has been making a name for herself as being one of the most consistent goalies in the league.
Caps: 14
College: Rutgers
Fun Fact: Her fiancé Chris was a four-time All-American for javelin at Rutgers
Best Card: 2021 Parkside Premier Edition Signature Series On-Card Autograph
Budget Card: 2022 Panini Instant *Rookie card in the USWNT kit
Aubrey Kingsbury: A force in the NWSL, Kingsbury played her way onto the roster while helping her club (Washington Spirit) to a 6-5-2 record. Kingsbury is the oldest goalkeeper to earn her first cap, at the age of 30 last spring.
Caps: 1
College: Wake Forest
Fun Fact: Is one of four twins on the USWNT roster, and plays piano
Best Card: 2022 Parkside NWSL Signature Series Autograph w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2022 Parkside Paramount Keepers Insert *SP (No cards in the USWNT kit)
Defenders
Alana Cook: Leading the USWNT in minutes played during the 2022 season with 1,286, Cook has quickly become one of the faces of the USWNT backline. Though starting her professional career internationally with Paris Saint-Germain, Cook now plays for OL Reign where she was NWSL Best IX and a finalist for defender of the year.
Caps: 25
College: Stanford
Fun Fact: Earned a degree in symbolic systems while at Stanford
Best Card: 2023 Panini Immaculate Base Card w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2022 Parkside Paramount Auto w/ Parallels
Emily Fox: The #1 pick of the 2021 NWSL draft, Fox has delivered on expectations. Fox has become known for her 1 on 1 defensive skills and continues to refine her skills in the offseason with USWNT teammates.
Caps: 29
College: University of North Carolina *Chapel Hill
Fun Fact: Played for one of my rival high school teams
Best Card: 2022 Parkside Paramount NWSL Auto w/ parallels
Budget Card: 2021 Parkside Premier Edition Promising Prospects *Rookie Card
Crystal Dunn: One of the most capped players on the roster, Dunn brings speed and versatility to the pitch. Dunn both for club (Portland Thorns) and internationally plays multiple positions creating a multi-dimensional skillset.
Caps: 132
College: University of North Carolina *Chapel Hill
Fun Fact: She is the best dancer on the roster
Best Card: 2016 Panini USA Soccer Prime Silhouettes Patch Auto w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2016 Panini USA Soccer Holofoil *Rookie card in USWNT kit
Naomi Girma: The #1 pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, San Diego Wave decided to build their franchise with Girma. So far that pick has paid off. Girma in her first season won Rookie of the Year along with Defender of the Year, beating out USWNT teammates Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Carson Pickett, and Becky Sauerbrunn.
Caps: 16
College: Stanford
Fun Fact: Dressed up as all the different Power Rangers for Halloween as a kid
Best Card: 2022-23 Panini Immaculate Collection Soccer Base Card w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2022-23 Panini Donruss Optic w/ Parallels
Sofia Huerta: A journeywoman who has pursued her dreams of the USWNT endlessly. Initially earning caps with the Mexican national team, Huerta switched to the team USA to follow in the footsteps of the greats she looked up to. Though a “bubble player” she has become known for her crosses into the box.
Caps: 30
College: Santa Clara
Fun Fact: She is the first player from Idaho to earn a cap with the USWNT
Best Card: 2018 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Inscribed Auto /50
Budget Card: 2018 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Relic
Kelley O’Hara: Another USWNT legend, O’Hara suits up for her 4th straight World Cup. Potentially her last World Cup, O’Hara will be looking to lead a less experienced group by example and her fierceness on the pitch that is unmatched.
Caps: 157
College: Stanford
Fun Fact: Hosts a podcast on “Just Women’s Sports” that has been nominated for awards
Best Card: 2018 Panini Immaculate Soccer Collection Patch Auto w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2012 Panini Americana Heroes and Legends *Rookie card in USWNT kit
Emily Sonnet:
Caps: 75
College: University of Virginia
Fun Fact: One of four twins on the roster, and is known as the funniest player on the team *Both club and internationally
Best Card: 2018-19 Panini Donruss Road to France Auto w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2016 Panini USA Soccer Holofoil *Rookie card in USWNT kit
Midfield
Savannah DeMelo: Tearing up the NWSL season created an opportunity of a lifetime for DeMelo. She hadn’t previously had any caps before the WC send off game. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski said the play in the league impacts the way he builds his rosters and DeMelo is proof of that statement. Demelo is a pure scorer, and viewers of the NWSL have seen her take charge.
Caps: 1
College: University of Southern California
Fun Fact: Majored in health and human sciences
Best Card: 2022 Parkside Paramount Auto w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2022 Parkside Paramount Base Rookie /749
Julie Ertz: Coming back from pregnancy, Ertz brings a consistency and veteran presence to the USWNT. Her presence will be needed as this younger group lacks major tournament experience.
Caps:118
College: Santa Clara
Fun Fact: Her iconic blue pre wrap goes back to her time on the youth national teams
Best Card: 2015 Panini USA Soccer Prime Silhouettes Patch Auto w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2015 Panini USA Soccer Base Card *Rookie card in USWNT kit
Lindsey Horan: A former player of the year and current captain, Horan is a consistent presence that USWNT will recognize. This will mark an important moment in Horan’s career as she will be captaining in her first world cup. Horan doesn’t take this honor lightly and has picked the brain of Becky Sauerbrunn throughout her journey.
Caps: 129
College: N/A *Went pro
Fun Fact: Didn’t play high school soccer, instead played for a club
Best Card: 2016 Panini USA Soccer Prime Silhouettes Patch Auto w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2016 Panini USA Soccer First Caps Insert *Rookie card in USWNT kit
Rose Lavelle: Putting the world on notice in the last World Cup, Lavelle comes into this tournament as one of the more experienced players. Coming off of injury the team is going to need a healthy Lavelle to help propel them to another victory.
Caps: 88
College: University of Wisconsin
Fun Fact: Started the USWNT Kindle trend and has an iconic bulldog named Wilma
Best Card: 2020-21 Panini Obsidian Soccer Rookie Base w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2019 Panini World Cup Sticker *Rookie card in USWNT kit
Kristie Mewis: Though previously earning caps with the USWNT in 2012-14, Mewis has re-established herself on the USWNT. Perseverance has gotten Mewis here, and I expect to see this carry over in her first World Cup.
Caps: 52
College: Boston College
Fun Fact: Was the US Soccer Youth Player of the Year in 2008
Best Card: 2023 Parkside Vol. 1 Signature Series Auto w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2023 Parkside She Believes Cup
Ashley Sanchez: A young star, Sanchez brings a craftiness to the field. Sanchez weaves through defenders and is great at finding teammates which has been on display this NWSL season with the Washington Spirit.
Caps: 25
College: UCLA
Fun Fact: Celebrity crush is Regé-Jean Page
Best Card: 2020 Parkside NWSL Challenge Cup Signature Series Auto
Budget Card: 2022 Panini Instant *Rookie card in the USWNT kit
Andi Sullivan: A gritty player leaves it all out there on the field, Sullivan is a teammate you’d want to have. Sullivan captains the Washington Spirit and has led them through challenging seasons, to a championship in 2021. Sullivan has been getting consistent minutes with the USWNT since the 2021 Olympics, and it seems she’s making the most of the opportunity.
Caps: 45
College: Stanford
Fun Fact: Wants Trinity Rodman’s wardrobe
Best Card: 2020-21 Panini Obsidian Soccer Rookie Base w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2021-22 Panini Score “Score Signatures” /199
Alex Morgan: Legend. Icon. Stud. Need to go on?
Caps: 207
College: UCLA
Fun Fact: She has a cat named Brooklyn with six toes
Best Card: 2020 Upper Deck Exquisite Patch Auto /99
Budget Card: 2022-23 Panini Donruss Optic w/ Parallels
Megan Rapinoe: This legend announced this will be her last world cup and will retire at the end of this NWSL season. She said “She wants to go out on a win” so here’s to hoping she brings that energy to the rest of the team.
Caps: 199
College: University of Portland
Fun Fact: Is one of 4 twins on the USWNT roster and is engaged to WNBA legend Sue Bird
Best Card: 2020 Upper Deck Exquisite Patch Auto /99
Budget Card: 2022 -23 Panini Donruss Optic w/ Parallels
Trinity Rodman: Though only being 21, Rodman is one of the faces of the NWSL and a fan favorite. Her creative playing style helps create opportunities for her and teammates to score and is quick on the break.
Caps: 18
College: N/A *Went pro
Fun Fact: Was recently featured in the Coi Leray music video “Get Loud”
Best Card: 2021 Parkside NWSL Signature Series Auto
Budget Card: 2022-23 Panini Donruss Optic w/ Parallels
Sophia Smith: Slowly becoming one of the faces of the USWNT, Smith is a player to watch. Coming off of a mvp and championship season with the Portland Thorns, this is Smith’s first World Cup roster and fans can’t wait to see her take the big stage.
Caps: 30
College: Stanford
Fun Fact: If she wasn’t a soccer player she would want to have a HGTV show
Best Card: 2020 Parkside NWSL Promising Prospects
Budget Card: 2022-23 Panini Donruss Optic w/ Parallels
Alyssa Thompson: The youngest player on the roster at just 18, Thompson marks the next wave of talent for the USWNT. Currently the favorite to win Rookie of the Year in the NWSL with her club Angel City. Her quickness and crafty playing style makes her a fun one to watch.
Caps: 4
College: N/A *Was committed to Stanford before getting drafted #1 overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft
Fun Fact: Is only 14 months older than her sister Gisele, who is currently on the US U-20 team
Best Card: 2023 Parkside Vol.1 NWSL Promising Prospects w/ Parallels
Budget Card: 2023 Parkside Vol.1 NWSL Base Rookie
Lynn Williams: Known for her speed, Williams has been taking the NWSL by storm this season. One of the all time leading goal scorers in the NWSL, Williams has been on a tear and played her way onto her first World Cup Roster.
Caps: 53
College: Pepperdine
Fun Fact: Hosts a soccer themed podcasts “Snacks” with USWNT teammate Sam Mewis
Best Card: 2020 Parkside NWSL Challenge Cup Signature Series Auto
Budget Card: 2023 Parkside She Believes Cup *Rookie card in the USWNT kit
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