Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the NWSL confirms 56 players from the league will represent … [+]
Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the NWSL has confirmed that 56 players from the league will represent their respective countries for the tournament, which is more than any other league in the world.
27 NWSL players are making their Olympic debut
The top two countries with NWSL players include 19 players representing the US Women’s National Team and the Canadian Women’s National Team, who are the reigning Olympians with 10 players on their roster.
With 56 players participating in the tournament, 27 players (including three substitutes) will make their Olympic debuts.
Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse will represent England as the goalkeeper currently has seven clean sheet titles so far and leads the race among all NWSL goalkeepers. Last season, the goalkeeper broke the club record with seven clean sheets, the Pride are currently No. 1 in the NWSL standings as they have yet to lose a game.
Orlando Pride and Lionesses goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse at England training in St Georges … [+]
Although Moorhouse shared with the media that she initially missed the phone call from coach Sarina Wiegman, she spoke to the media before practice about how her team’s performance affected her as a player.
“Going to France and then America really helped me adjust and get out of my comfort zone,” Moorhouse said. “There’s a lot of new environments and different styles of play and different styles of people, which helped me come out of my shell a little bit. “Certainly in Orlando, the team just fits together and we have a lot of fun and let people be themselves, it’s been really good.”
As for the USWNT, their elimination games include two games, one against Mexico and their final game against Costa Rica before they leave for Paris. In their 1-0 win over Mexico, Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith scored the winning goal for the USA in the 64th minute.
Last summer, Smith took part in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she scored a brace in the opening match against Vietnam and will also make her Olympic debut at the age of 23.
“I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get there [Paris]Smith said. “Obviously we’ve got one more game here, but I think it’s just about focusing on the next game we’ve got,” Smith said. “When we get there, it’s just one game at a time and we put our heads down and do what we have to do, which is just be ourselves and make the most of every day, every little thing that we do is a game of inches and we have to earn every centimeter we have.”
Olympic milestones for players
At the league level, Gotham FC and Orlando Pride lead the way with seven players represented in the tournament, followed by the Portland Thorns and Washington Spirit with six players each.
For Pride forward Marta, the Brazilian will compete in her sixth and final Olympic tournament. After competing in her last World Cup last summer, the 38-year-old has competed in every Olympic Games since 2004.
Marta #10 of Brazil scores against China during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at Miyagi Stadium in … [+]
Behind Marta in her Olympic appearances is Angel City FC defender Ali Riley, who will represent New Zealand in her fifth Olympic tournament. Last summer, New Zealand co-hosted with Australia and for the opening game, New Zealand recorded their first FIFA Women’s World Cup victory.
“Helping the game continue to grow is important to me,” Riley said. “Either these are the shows I can put on [in] on the field or pushing the players. For fans, these young people need role models, they need to see her so they can be her. I want to be that person. I also want to use my platform in the Olympics and the World Cup here when I have this amazing support. Now I have this last chance on the world stage where people will see and hear me and I want to make everyone proud.”
The Paris 2024 Olympics will feature 26 events as 12 countries compete for the gold medal in France. The first leg kicks off on Thursday 25th July as France and Colombia meet at the Stade de Lyon.