USWNT announces squad for pre-Olympic matches

U.S. women's national team coach Vlatko Andonovski announced his 23-player squad for three pre-Olympic tune-up matches on Tuesday while stating that roster spots for the summer showcase in Tokyo are not yet finalized.

Virtually all of the squad's big-name players will be available to participate in two contests in Houston, against Portugal on June 10 and against Jamaica on June 13, as well as a game in Austin, Texas, against Nigeria on June 16.

The most notable absentees are midfielder Julie Ertz, who is sidelined due to a medial collateral ligament injury, and forward Tobin Heath, who is working her way back from a knee injury. Heath will be with the squad as she rehabs, but she is not part of the 23-woman roster.

READ: Olympics: 'Absurd' to stage Tokyo Games, says professor of public health

The veteran squad features an average age of 28 and an average of 76 national-team appearances per player.

Andonovski said in a statement, "These games and the few training sessions we'll have are just more tests, more challenges and more learning opportunities for the players and coaches. The three matches will certainly be important in the selection of the Olympic Team, but we are also focused on the big picture and the overall body of work the players have put together over the past year or so for the National Team and their clubs.

"During these games we'll also focus on preparing for the Olympic group matches, so we need to balance all of that, as well as manage the overall physical load on the players."

The USWNT is the two-time defending World Cup champion, but it is looking to avenge its worst-ever Olympic showing. The Americans failed to reach the semifinals at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

READ: Olympics: Joe Biden administration stands by Tokyo Games as COVID surges

U.S. women's national team roster for June games:

Goalies: Jane Campbell, Adrianna Franch, Alyssa Naeher

Defenders: Alana Cook, Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Kelley O'Hara, Margaret Purce, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett

Midfielders: Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Catarina Macario, Kristie Mewis, Samantha Mewis, Andi Sullivan

Forwards: Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith, Lynn Williams