SheBelieves 2017 is here. As much as it was a cash grab from US Soccer, it was also a pretty good idea. A regular domestic mini-tournament with high-caliber opponents is a great way to give the women’s national team good competition without having to travel much, and in off years it gives the team a bump without the benefit of a World Cup or Olympics.
The United States will first face Germany this Wednesday, a Germany that is in the midst of Euro 2017 preparations. Here’s the Germany roster by position:
Goalkeepers (3): Laura Benkarth (SC Freiburg), Almuth Schult (VfL Wolfsburg), Lisa Weiß (SGS Essen)
Defenders (9): Anna Blässe (VfL Wolfsburg), Pauline Bremer (Olympique Lyonnais), Kristin DeMann (1899 Hoffenheim), Verena Faiβt (Bayern München), Kathrin Hendrich (FFC Frankfurt), Josephine Henning (Olympique Lyonnais), Isabel Kerschowski (VfL Wolfsburg), Babett Peter (VfL Wolfsburg), Felicitas Rauch (FFC Turbine Potsdam)
Midfielders (6): Sarah Däbritz (Bayern München), Linda Dallman (SGS Essen), Sara Doorsoun (SGS Essen), Leonie Maier (Bayern München), Dzsenifer Marozsan (Olympique Lyonnais), Alexandra Popp (VfL Wolfsburg)
Forwards (5): Mandy Islacker (FFC Frankfurt), Hasret Kayikci (SC Freiburg), Lina Magull (SC Freiburg), Anja Mittag (VfL Wolfsburg), Lena Petermann (SC Freiburg)
Germany has just as many players to watch for as the United States, but keep an eye on Anja Mittag, as she’ll be one of the key players testing the American defense, particularly if Jill Ellis sticks with a three-back.