Thorns and Red Stars lead the way with 8 world cup players

FORTY-SIX NWSL PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP CANADA 2015
Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns FC lead the way with eight players each in the WWC

CHICAGO (June 4, 2015) – With the start of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada just two days away, the NWSL is preparing for a 12-day break during the Group Stage matches of the tournament. But fans of the league will still get to watch some of their favorite stars as the NWSL will be represented at the tournament by 46 players from nine countries. (Complete list of Players)

The Chicago Red Stars and Portland Thorns FC lead the way – with each sending eight players to represent their respective countries at the World Cup.

All nine of the NWSL clubs will have at least two players at the tournament and six of the nine clubs will be represented in Canada by five or more players – as the Houston Dash, Sky Blue FC and Washington Spirit have all had six players called up by their international teams, while the defending champions FC Kansas City have had five players selected for the tournament.

Outside of the United States (22 players) and Canada (11 players), Australia and Mexico boast the biggest contingent of players from the league with four each – with FC Kansas City midfielder Katrina Gorry, Portland Thorns FC defender Steph Catley, and Sky Blue FC forward Samantha Kerr and defender Caitlin Foord representing the Matildas.

Meanwhile, Boston Breakers defender Bianca Sierra, Sky Blue FC forward Monica Ocampo, Washington Spirit midfielder Veronica Perez and defender Arianna Romero have all answered the call for the Mexican Football Federation.

Five countries have a lone representative from the NWSL: Western New York Flash forward Ajara Nchout (Cameroon), Portland Thorns FC forward Jodie Taylor (England), Portland Thorns FC goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (Germany), Chicago Red Stars defender Abby Erceg (New Zealand) and Washington Spirit forward Francisca Ordega (Nigeria).

This tournament will be particularly meaningful for Angerer. Already a two-time World Cup champion, this is the fifth time the Germany international has been named to a World Cup roster by her federation.

The NWSL will have a constant presence at the tournament – as a country with at least one player from the league will play each day of the Group Stage.

There will also be five games during the opening round in which an NWSL player will be on teams facing each other. See below:

Date	Group	Match
Monday, June 8	Group D	United States vs. Australia
Thursday, June 11	Group A	Canada vs. New Zealand
Friday, June 12	Group D	Australia vs. Nigeria
Saturday, June 13	Group F	England vs. Mexico
Tuesday, June 16	Group D	Nigeria vs. United States