The U.S. Women’s National Team is the last of four to submit its official SheBelieves Cup 23-player roster as Mallory Pugh and Tierna Davidson make a return.

Vlatko Andonovski and the No. 1 USWNT are tasked to defend their homeland and claim back the SheBelieves Cup. To accomplish this goal, the Stars and Stripes will have to face top-ranked opponents in No. 6 England, No. 10 Japan and No. 13 Spain.

First, the Americans will face current title holders England on March 5, followed by a match against Spain on March 8 and will wind up tournament play with Japan on March 11. 

Andonovski concluded the ever so difficult task of slashing players off the USWNT roster given the talent the American player pool possesses with hopes to extend the team’s one-year undefeated streak. With that in mind, there is no room for mistake as the group looks to avenge the failure in 2019 and claim the title for the third time.

Forward Mallory Pugh and defender Tierna Davidson missed out on the Concacaf Olympic Qualifiers after featuring in the 2019 Women's World Cup roster. Now, the two have been admitted back in the squad while goalkeeper Jane Campbell, defender Margaret Purce and midfielder Jordan DiBiasi did not make the cut.

USWNT SheBelieves Cup Roster:

Goalkeepers (3): Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC, 3), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride, 25), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars, 61)

Defenders (8): Abby Dahlkemper (North Carolina Courage, 58), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars, 25), Crystal Dunn (North Carolina Courage, 101), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride, 107), Kelley O’Hara (Utah Royals FC, 129), Becky Sauerbrunn (Utah Royals FC, 174), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars, 31), Emily Sonnett (Orlando Pride, 44)

Midfielders (5): Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars, 99), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC, 83), Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit, 42), Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage, 64), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit, 16)

Forwards (7): Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC, 165), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue FC, 291), Jessica McDonald (North Carolina Courage, 17), Christen Press (Utah Royals FC; 134), Mallory Pugh (Sky Blue FC, 62), Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC, 165), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage, 25)

All about that momentum

Winning the Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament was step one for Andonovski’s plan to claim gold in Tokyo 2020. And the fashion in which the USWNT did so – scoring 25 without conceding over five matches – was exactly what the ex-Reign FC manager was looking for.

The foundation for this new chapter under Vlatko has been built and now, it is just a matter of concentration and doing what the USWNT does best, perform under pressure.

The manager’s goal is to get the team to consistently play attractive, attacking and aggressive football, and of course, win everything there is to win.

This fifth edition of the SheBelieves Cup is the perfect opportunity for Andonovski and the Stars and Stripes to further develop the newly implemented style. They will be facing some top-class sides including an equally competitive England Squad managed by Phil Neville.

Once step two, the SheBelieves Cup, is done, step three will begin. The USWNT will play approximately six Olympic warmup matches but only two have been announced. The Americans will host Australia and Brazil in April in home soil.

If everything goes to plan, the U.S. will enter the Olympic Tournament as favorites and in good form.