USA announce World Cup squad

Barely two days after completing their tour of the UK, the United States have finalised their squad for next month's World Cup.

Published by John Birch, July 8th, 2014

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USA announce World Cup squad

As well as the twenty-six players in the main squad, the United States have also released the names of four reserves who will also travel to France and a further eight who will be on-call while remaining at home.

For the United States - who were fifth in 2010 - the target of that squad remains a place in the final. The teammotto is “Final in ‘14”.

Its a feat that has not been accomplished since 1994, and in recent years results have seen them slip behind not only New Zealand and England but also neighbours Canada.However their management team remain nothing if not optimistic.

“It has taken three years to get to this point and I am very excited about the squad,” said head coach Pete Steinberg about his selections. “A lot of work has been put in to get us to where we are now.With only 26 players and five games in just over two weeks, the ability to play multiple positions was a factor in the selections.”

With New Zealand targeting the title, andIreland aiming for a place in at least the last four, someone in the USA's pool will be going home disappointed. But Pete sees being part of arguably the most competitive pool as a huge positive.

“We have an extremely tough pool, We have Ireland and New Zealand, who could both claim to be a top team along with ourselves. However, we are excited for the challenge.”

“We have worked hard to create an environment that players want to be around and are comfortable in. Our player identification processes means that we can properly evaluate players and know what we are getting on the field.”

With less than a month remaining until the World Cup begins, players are excited to be making the trip, as well.

“Everyone is coming together as teammates and we left the U.K. Tour with a lot of confident energy,” said Deven Owsiany, who rounds out the roster at scrumhalf. “I can’t wait to build on that energy and that emotion now.”

All players who attended the U.K. Tour have included in the World Cup party.Ten of them (Sharon Blaney, Stacey Bridges (reserve), Jamie Burke, Emilie Bydwell, Lynelle Kugler, Nathalie Marchino, Vanesha McGee, Naima Reddick, Hannah Stolba, and Kittery Wagner)played in the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup, meaning that this is hugely experienced squad unlikely to be overawed by the occasion.Jamie Burke (who also played in the 2006 World Cup)will look to extend her cap total as the most-capped Eagle.

Another key name in the line-up will be Vanesha McGee, who was also one of the USA's leading sevens stars, and scored all of the Eagles’ tries during the U.K. Tour.

Other players to watch include Lynelle Kugler in the back-row, where she will be joined by Kate Daley and Shaina Turley. Each brings a great deal of experience and leadership to the World Cup party despite not being named to any previous World Cups. Both captained the Eagles during the U.K. Tour.

“It is really exciting to go back to Paris,” said the number eight, Daley. “Especially because it will be for the World Cup.”

Women’s Eagles | IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014

Sadie Anderson(Fort Collins, Colo.)Kathryn Augustyn(Antigo, Wis.)Akalaini “Bui” Baravilala(Honolulu, Hawaii)Meya Bizer(Woodlands, Texas)Sharon Blaney(Braintree, Mass.)Sylvia Braaten(Waterford, Wis.)Jamie Burke(Chesapeake, Va.)Emilie Bydwell(Montreal, Quebec)Sarah Chobot(Mendon, Mich.)Kate Daley(Mishawaka, Ind.)Lauren Daly(Boulder, Colo.)Carmen Farmer(Richmond, Va.)Lynelle Kugler(New Raymer, Colo.)Nathalie Marchino(Geneva, Switzerland)Vanesha McGee(Ewing, N.J.)Deven Owsiany(Royersford, Pa.)Jillion Potter(Denver, Colo.)Naima Reddick(El Cerrito, Calif.)Hope Rogers(Chambersburg, Pa.)Kimberly Rozier(Raleigh, N.C.)Hannah Stolba(Missoula, Mont.)Jocelyn Tseng(Palo Alto, Calif.)Shaina Turley(Fox Lake, Ill.)Kittery Wagner(Fort Collins, Colo.)Sarah Walsh(Baltimore, Md.)Sarah Wilson(Westerville, Ohio)

Women’s Eagles | ReservesStacey Bridges(Robinson, Texas)Erica Cavanaugh(Ashland, Va.)Samantha Pankey(Buckingham, Va.)Caroline White(San Jose, Calif.)

Women’s Eagles | Non-Traveling ReservesJessica Davis(Rescue, Calif.)Katie Dowty(Boston, Mass.)Amanda Kingzett(Ellendale, N.D.)Tess Kohanski(East Lyme, Conn.)Jennifer Lui(Ridgway, Pa.)Amy Naber (Tucson, Ariz.)Anne Peterson(Arusha, Tanzania)Amanda Street(Princeton, W. Va.)

Catch up with all of World Cup squads that have been announced so far

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