Kyah Simon named to Australia Olympic squad

Football Federation Australia has released its 18-player women’s roster for the Olympics. Among those named is Boston Breakers forward Kyah Simon.

“I remember sitting in front of the television watching the Sydney 2000 Olympics as Cathy Freeman won gold and that inspired me to do everything I could to reach my aspirations in football,” Simon said in the press release.

Simon was expected to join the Australian Olympic squad this summer and will be joining the Matildas for camp in Brazil, culminating in a warm-up match against the host nation on July 24.

This of course means that Simon will be out for Boston until after the Olympics.

Simon will miss games for Boston against Orlando and Sky Blue FC and possibly FC Kansas City, depending on when she returns from Brazil.

The full list of players picked for the Olympic squad is below, with NWSL player names in bold:

Goalkeepers: Lydia Williams (Houston Dash/Canberra United), Mackenzie Arnold (Perth Glory)

Defenders: Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane Roar), Laura Alleway (Orlando Pride/Melbourne City), Alanna Kennedy (WNY Flash/Sydney FC), Stephanie Catley (Orlando Pride/Melbourne City), Ellie Carpenter (Western Sydney Wanderers)

Midfielders: Elise Kellond-Knight (Potsdam Turbine), Emily van Egmond (FFC Frankfurt), Katrina Gorry (Brisbane Roar), Tameka Butt (Brisbane Roar), Caitlin Foord (Perth Glory), Chloe Logarzo (Eskilstuna United/Newcastle Jets)

Forwards: Lisa De Vanna (Melbourne City), Michelle Heyman (Canberra United), Kyah Simon (Boston Breakers/Sydney FC), Samantha Kerr (Sky Blue FC/Perth Glory), Larissa Crummer (Melbourne City)