Never in history has a soccer team won a world cup and gold in the Olympics in consecutive years. Everything could change in Rio in just a couple of weeks. The US Women’s National Team has set their minds on making history. With the Olympic team announced on July 12, 2016, Coach Jill Ellis is confident we will bring home the gold.

I am so excited to see some of my favorite players head to the Rio Olympics for 2016.

1.       Crystal Dunn, Forward. Dunn plays on the Washington Spirit, the NWSL team based out of Maryland. In 2015, she was the last one cut from the USWNT for the World Cup games. To prove how much of an asset she is, she became NWSL Player of the Year, with 15 goals scored in the season. In 2016, she has played in several International Friendly games, and has scored 9 goals for the USWNT. 

2.       Tobin Heath, Midfielder. Heath plays on the NWSL team, Portland Thorns. In 2008 she joined the USWNT as the youngest player in history (she was 20 then. Forward, Mallory Pugh, 18, now golds that record.) Already a two time gold medalist and one time silver medalist, Heath is a key player for the USWNT.

3.       Lindsay Horan, Midfielder. Horan is on the NWSL team, Portland Thorns. She joined the USWNT in 2016, and has been a rock star since day one. She has scored 3 goals this year. The skills that she picked up while playing in France have been essential to her success.

4.       Christen Press, Forward. Press plays for the Chicago Red Stars. She impressed the world with her 8 goals throughout the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada. She continues to shine with 4 goals since 2016 with the USWNT.

5.       Ali Krieger, Defender. She plays on the NWSL team Washington Spirit. This will be Krieger’s first time playing in an Olympic tournament. Krieger has been on the USWNT since 2008. Due to injuries, she was unable to compete in the Olympics, and spent time recovering in Germany. Today, she is in full health and ready to represent the US.

6.       Carli Lloyd, Midfielder. Lloyd is the winner of several awards, including FIFA World Player of the year in 2015. Despite injury, she is back and ready to win her third Olympic gold medal with the USWNT in Rio!

I can’t wait to cheer on the USWNT in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics! Which players are you most excited to see in Rio?