As our July 2023 Cover Star Issa Rae once reminded us, 'we're rooting for everyone Black.' And, when it comes to the world of soccer, the motto hasn't changed. The 2023 US Women's World Cup Team is Blacker than ever before, and they have the potential to make soccer history in Australia.
The team is aiming for an unprecedented three-peat, having won the last two World Cups in 2019 and 2015. If they manage to clinch another championship next month, the United States will forever be remembered in soccer lore. On their quest for history, Team USA will be fielding their most diverse group of women ever. Out of the roster of eight minority women, which is the most ever for Team USA, six of them are black—again the most ever for the team.
EBONY is always a proponent of giving flowers, so here are the amazing Black women that will be representing for the 2023 US Women's World Cup Team in Australia.
Trinity Rodman
Trinity Rodman might just be the best striker in the world today. Despite not playing a match in college because of the pandemic, she still went on to be the No. 2 pick in her draft. She broke headlines earlier this year as she became the highest-paid player in the entire National Women's Soccer League after winning Rookie of The Year and US Soccer’s Young Player of the Year in 2021. If the last name didn't ring a bell, she is also the daughter of one of the greatest NBA players of all time, Dennis Rodman, and it’s easy to see the athletic apple did not fall far from the tree.
Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith dominates everywhere she goes and the same will happen at the World Cup. She led Stanford to a National Championship in 2019, before becoming the first overall pick in 2020. In the NWSL, she quickly proved worthy of the hype by scoring two goals in her first game. By 2022, she was a league MVP, a NWSL champion and championship MVP, rounding up a resume in three seasons that any player would die for. Now she’s at her first World Cup, ready to dominate and win her biggest prize yet.
Crystal Dunn
Crystal Dunn is undeniably one of the greatest U.S. players of all time. She showcased her dominance as a college player at the University of North Carolina, and was subsequently selected as the No. 1 pick in the National Women's Soccer League in 2014. The following year, she won the MVP award. A key part of Team USA's 2019 World Cup Championship, Dunn is back again, leading the defense with her exceptional abilities.
Naomi Girma
Naomi Girma has already secured her place in American soccer history as the first Ethiopian American to play for Team USA, making her debut in April 2022. Last year, she made waves as the No. 1 pick in the NWSL draft, joining the San Diego Wave FC and instantly becoming a star. Her outstanding performance earned her both the Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year awards, a remarkable feat that no player had achieved before. As she gears up for her first World Cup appearance, she will team up with Crystal Dunn in the backfield to anchor the defense.
Alana Cook
Alana Cook's journey to success took a different path compared to many American women in soccer. Though she excelled as a college star at Stanford, she decided to take the road less traveled by heading overseas to play for the legendary club Paris Saint-Germain. After her stint abroad, she eventually joined the NWSL and began playing for the OL Reign in Seattle. At only 26 years old, Alana Cook is recognized as one of the country's best defenders, and her talent ensures she will remain a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
Lynn Williams
Lynn Williams brings veteran leadership to the group at the age of 30, having achieved significant milestones in the National Women's Soccer League. Her illustrious career includes winning a championship, earning an MVP title, and topping the league's scoring charts. She briefly showcased her skills in Australia before returning to play in the NWSL, where she will now suit up for Gotham FC. Despite her impressive resume, the one thing missing for Williams is a World Cup victory, and she is determined to add that accomplishment by the end of the tournament.
Join us in wishing these ladies—and the entire team—the best of luck as they compete.
