Coach Jill Ellis has called 26 players into the first training camp of 2019 as the U.S. national team steps up its preparations for this summer’s Women’s World Cup.
The tournament will be held in France, so the U.S. will stage this month’s camp in Europe, gathering first in Portugal, then playing exhibitions against France in Le Havre and Spain in Alicante.
“Finding ways to be successful against European teams in Europe is something every team in the World Cup will have to do to advance deep into the tournament,” Ellis said in a statement. “So this is an essential trip in our prep for this summer.