Racing Louisville FC star Emily Fox has been called up by the U.S. Women’s National Team for September friendlies, it was announced Monday.
The defender Fox is one of 23 players available for selection in a pair of matches against Nigeria as the Stars & Stripes continue to prepare for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Friendlies are set for 1:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 in Kansas City and 6 p.m. ET on Sept. 6 in Washington, D.C. FOX and ESPN2 will broadcast those games, respectively.
Last time the red, white and blue were together, the USWNT won the Concacaf W Championship in July, qualifying for the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympic games in Paris after defeating reigning Olympic gold medalist Canada in the final. The Americans finished the tournament scoring 13 goals and conceding none.
“All the players on the roster performed well in Mexico at qualifying and have carried that form for their clubs, so we’ll continue the process of growing as a team with this group in what will be two challenging games against Nigeria,” said USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski. “Preparing for the World Cup is a long process, and I’ve been very happy with how our team understands that process, is willing to do the work and is making positive strides every camp to get us to where we want to be next summer.”
Fox appeared and started in three of the five matches in the Concacaf Championship, including a full 90 minutes in the final. The 24-year-old outside back continues to establish herself in the national team with 17 senior team caps so far.
Fox, who missed some league games while on international duty, continues to rank among Racing’s leaders in most defensive stats. She also scored her first professional goal in Racing’s April 30 opener against the Chicago Red Starts.
USWNT September friendlies roster by position (club)
Goalkeepers (3): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders (6): Alana Cook (OL Reign), Emily Fox (Racing Louisville FC), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Sofia Huerta (OL Reign), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns FC)
Midfielders (7): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0); Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Taylor Kornieck (San Diego Wave FC), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Ashley Sanchez (Washington Spirit), Andi Sullivan (Washington Spirit)
Forwards (7): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Mallory Pugh (Chicago Red Stars), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC)