Oyster and Lavelle called up to USWNT before Russia friendlies

Rose Lavelle and Megan Oyster have been called up to the latest USWNT camp ahead of their two friendlies against Russia.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (6): Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Megan Oyster (Boston Breakers), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash/Manchester City), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign)

FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea FC), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride/Olympique Lyonnais, FRA), Kealia Ohai (Houston Dash), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (UCLA), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)

This is Oyster’s first callup to national team. As for Lavelle, she had a stunning debut against England during the SheBelieves tournament and will certainly be looking to prove to Jill Ellis that she can perform consistently.

Oyster is the only other center back listed besides Becky Sauerbrunn, which could bode well for her chances of actually getting playing time. Of course, that depends on whether Ellis continues to insist on playing Allie Long in the middle of a back three with Sauerbrunn pushed right.

As for Lavelle, it would be very nice to see what she does on the field starting centrally and staying there for the majority of a game without Carli Lloyd around. Odds are good she’ll play, but where on the field is a complete tossup based on Ellis shifting her from side to side on the field and even allowing her to go central for a time.

USA’s first game against Russia is on Thursday, April 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Kickoff is at 8:30 PM ET and the game will air live on FS1.