USWNT Coach Jill Ellis spoke to the media this morning ahead of tomorrow’s friendly at Chicago’s Soldier Field versus South Africa. The exhibition will be the USWNT’s penultimate match before the United States Women’s National Team heads off to the Rio Summer Olympics, and it marks the first meeting between the two nations.
U.S. co-captain Carli Lloyd is back on the roster after missing the Japan matches with a knee injury and should be available for selection. Whether or not the 2015 World Cup Golden Ball and FIFA Ballon d’Or winner plays or not tomorrow is still up in the air.
Also on the roster for the first time since last December is midfielder Megan Rapinoe, who is continuing her recovery from ACL surgery. Rapinoe is in camp for training and evaluation and likely will not play in the match. Ellis did add that both players are now in full contact status during training.
Another major takeaway is the high number of debutantes that we should expect to see on the USWNT in this Olympics. Ellis pointed out that USA might have more new players than any other team in the Summer Olympiad.
#USWNT training @soldierfield #SheBelieves #usa #rio2016 #rioolympics ????????? pic.twitter.com/e8CWNjh5g8
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) July 8, 2016
Jill Ellis adds that both Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe are in full contact in training already. #USWNT
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) July 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/751432575126609920
Below you’ll find audio of both the exclusive that we had with Jill Ellis this week at training, and the entire press conference this morning; which has more on Carli Lloyd.
https://soundcloud.com/p-m-banks/jill-ellis-talks-uswnt-olympic-prep
https://soundcloud.com/p-m-banks/jill-ellis-gives-health-updates-on-carli-lloyd-megan-rapinoe
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram