Bethany Balcer called into October USWNT camp

After an extended hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the United States Women’s National Team will hold its first camp in seven months this October. OL Reign forward Bethany Balcer was among 27 players called into the camp by US head coach Vlatko Andonovski. The camp will run October 18-28, leaving Balcer available for both of OL Reign’s remaining Fall Series matches.

This will be Balcer’s second full national team camp and third US camp roster overall, after having been called into the US U-23 team for last August’s Nordic Tournament and participating in December’s Talent Identification camp.

“Getting the National Team back together brings us relief and excitement, and I’m thankful for all the work done behind the scenes to make this happen, and make it happen safely for all the players and staff,” said Andonovski in a federation release. “We’re going to be smart and efficient in how we conduct this camp, but we know that the Olympics will be coming fast once the calendar turns to 2021, so we have to make as much progress as we can during the time we have in Denver.”

Megan Rapinoe has opted out of the camp due to injury concerns; Carli Lloyd, Mallory Pugh and Adrianna Franch are out as they continue recovering from injury, and Julie Ertz opted out due to a family commitment.

The team will train in Commerce City, Colorado, following strict safety protocols and testing similar to how the NWSL Challenge Cup operated. Only players currently based in the United States will participate in this camp, and no matches are scheduled against opposing teams. Plans are in progress to hold another USWNT camp in November, which could involve European-based players and take place overseas.

USWNT October Camp Roster

Goalkeeper (4): Aubrey Bledsoe (Washington Spirit), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

Defense (10): Abby Dahlkemper (NC Courage), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (NC Courage), Naomi Garcia (Stanford), Sarah Gorden (Chicago Red Stars), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Utah Royals FC), Midge Purce (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars)

Midfield (7): Shea Groom (Houston Dash), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns), Morgan Gautrat (Chicago Red Stars), Jaelin Howell (Florida St.), Catarina Macario (Stanford), Kristie Mewis (Houston Dash), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit)

Forward (6): Bethany Balcer (OL Reign), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Mia Fishel (UCLA), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Kealia Watt (Chicago Red Stars), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)