Ronan names squad for American clash with World Champions

Ireland manager Sue Ronan has named her 21 player squad that will travel to California next week for a friendly against FIFA Women’s World Cup holders the United States.

The girls in green will be playing two games stateside; one against the US Women’s National Team and one against an American U23 selection. The first match is against the senior selection on Saturday 23 January in Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

That game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 in the United States and will have a kick off at 22:00 Irish time. The team will then play an under 23 selection behind closed doors in Carson near Los Angeles on Monday 25 January.

Ronan’s squad will be going into the game as underdogs on the card, as they face a side that is ranked 31 places higher in the FIFA rankings and recently had their manager Jill Ellis honoured with the accolade of FIFA Women’s World Coach of the Year for 2014 and vice-captain Carli Lloyd awarded the FIFA Player of the Year award (see more here).

However, the United States team is in a transitioning period after the FIFA Women’s World Cup with a number of players retiring in late 2015. Among those retirees is Abby Wambach, who holds the title as all-time leading International goal scorer in both the male and female game with 184 goals.

The match will be a building block for the near future for both sides as Ireland prepare to resume their EURO 2017 campaign and the United States prepare for Olympic Qualifiers in February.

Speaking to the FAI about her teams next couple of games, Ronan explained the reason for their change of approach from previous years.

“Normally we go to La Manga at this time of the year for a Winter Training Camp,” said Ronan, “but it is great to get the opportunity to play against the world champions and also have time to take advantage of the mild climate and get some good work done on the training pitch.”

There are two key players within Ronan’s side that will not go unnoticed when suiting up against the stars and stripes. They are Megan Campbell and Megan Connolly who are both taking America by storm whilst playing collegiate soccer for Florida State University (FSU). Campbell who helped FSU win the prestigious National College Athletics Association (NCAA) title in 2014 has fans in awe of her mighty throw-ins.

Whilst, Connolly who recently joined Campbell stateside has been named in the 2015 Team of the Year by the NCAA after recording 9 goals and 10 assists in 22 games.

Speaking about Connolly’s selection, Ronan said: “Megan Connolly is no stranger to the squad having been with us at the Istria Cup last year and is coming in on the back of an outstanding debut season with Florida State University. She is one of several young players that have forced their way into the squad over the past 12 months.

"I am looking forward to seeing them stake their claims for first team places over the six games we will play between now and the resumption of the EURO 2017 campaign in April.”

There are some notable changes to the squad since their last game versus Spain in the EURO 2017 Qualifiers in November. Goalkeeper Grace Moloney, defender Niamh Fahey and Grace Murray are missing due to injury.

Meanwhile Carol Breen is preparing to emigrate and has been replaced by Fiona O’Sullivan who returns to the squad after an absence due to work commitments.

Ronan is expected to name one more player to the list ahead of travelling to the United States to bring the number up to 22 players and 18 of those 22 will have the opportunity to line out to play against the World Champions. You can follow all the build-up and live action on match day with Extratime.ie.

Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team Squad versus United States Women’s National Team

Goalkeepers: Emma Byrne (Arsenal), Niamh Reid Burke (Shelbourne). 

Defenders: Meabh De Burca (Galway), Megan Campbell (Unattached), Jessica Gleeson (Wexford Youths), Savannah McCarthy (Galway), Aine O’Gorman (UCD Waves), Sophie Perry (Brighton & Hove Albion), Louise Quinn (Eskilstuna United), Ciara Rossiter (Wexford Youths).

Midfielders: Diane Caldwell (Unattached), Karen Duggan (UCD Waves), Siobhan Killeen (Shelbourne), Ruesha Littlejohn (Glasgow City), Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (Glasgow City), Julie Ann Russell (UCD Waves).

Forwards: Megan Connolly (Florida State University), Fiona O’Sullivan (Unattached), Stephanie Roche (Sunderland), Clare Shine (Glasgow City).