Powell picks party for final friendlies
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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England manager Hope Powell has included six American-based players in the 30-strong squad for their pre-UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ friendlies against Iceland and Denmark in Colchester and Swindon next month.
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England manager Hope Powell has included six American-based players in the 30-strong squad for their pre-UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ friendlies against Iceland and Denmark next month.
Bardsley call
Along with the five players that moved to the new Women's Professional Soccer league in the winter – defenders Alex Scott and Anita Asante, playmaker Kelly Smith and forwards Karen Carney and Eniola Aluko – American-born goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, who went to the 2003 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship, has been included in a senior squad for the first time in four years.
Unbeaten run
Otherwise the squad is familiar, including uncapped defenders Michelle Hickmott and Dunia Susi, midfielder Rachel Williams and forwards Natasha Dowie and Gemma Davison, all of who were involved in a training camp last month. Unbeaten in 14 games since February 2008, England play Iceland in Colchester on 16 July and Denmark in Swindon six days later; they begin their Group C finals campaign against Italy on 25 August before taking on Russia and Sweden.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Rachel Brown (Everton LFC), Siobhan Chamberlain (Chelsea LFC), Carly Telford (Leeds Carnegie LFC), Karen Bardsley (Sky Blue FC).
Defenders: Alex Scott (Boston Breakers), Casey Stoney (Chelsea LFC), Faye White (Arsenal LFC), Corinne Yorston (Bristol Academy WFC), Rachel Unitt (Everton LFC), Lindsay Johnson (Everton LFC), Anita Asante (Sky Blue FC), Laura Bassett (Arsenal LFC), Michelle Hickmott (Birmingham City LFC), Dunia Susi (Chelsea LFC).
Midfielders: Jill Scott (Everton LFC), Fara Williams (Everton LFC), Kelly Smith (Boston Breakers), Emily Westwood (Everton LFC), Katie Chapman (Arsenal LFC), Danielle Buet (Chelsea LFC), Rachel Williams (Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC).
Forwards: Gemma Davison (Arsenal LFC), Rachel Yankey (Arsenal LFC), Sue Smith (Leeds Carnegie LFC), Karen Carney (Chicago Red Stars), Lianne Sanderson (Chelsea LFC), Eniola Aluko (Saint Louis Athletica), Jessica Clarke (Leeds Carnegie LFC), Jody Handley (Everton LFC), Natasha Dowie (Everton LFC).