Whitney Engen called up for Japan friendlies

USA head coach Jill Ellis has named her 25-player roster for the United States' upcoming friendlies against Japan on June 2 and June 5.

Among her callups is center back Whitney Engen, who will miss the Breakers' away game against the Western New York Flash in order to attend camp starting May 27.

Engen has been good for the Breakers defense, helping keep them organized even in the face of their current five-game losing streak. With her gone, head coach Matt Beard may pull Julie King back in from the right wing to pair with Kassey Kallman, or may even call upon Rachel Wood to fill in.

Engen shouldn't have to miss any other games than that, since the USA vs Japan friendlies were scheduled in an open window to avoid clashes with the NWSL schedule. It is rather disgruntling that Ellis would choose to interrupt the NWSL schedule anyway by scheduling the start of camp before an entire weekend of NWSL games, but perhaps she felt the time was necessary to prepare for Japan.

The first of two friendlies against Japan kicks off on Thursday, June 2 at 9 PM ET at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and will air live on Fox Sports 1.

GOALKEEPERS (4): Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC)

DEFENDERS (10): Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Gina Lewandowski (FC Bayern Munich), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Wisconsin), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City)

FORWARDS (4): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado)