Football Ferns coach Jitka Klimková has named a largely inexperienced squad of 26 for the two friendlies against world champions the USA in New Zealand later this month.
Jitka Klimkovā and Betsy Hassett Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Captain Ali Riley is the most capped player with 147 caps.
Midfielder Betsy Hassett, who has 137 caps, is joined by five other Phoenix players, Lily Alfeld, Mackenzie Barry, Emma Rolston, Paige Satchell and Grace Wisnewski.
There are just four players with more than 50 caps.
"This series takes place outside of an official FIFA window, meaning some squad members were not released by their clubs, some members will join later and others will need to depart the team early. It opens an opportunity to revisit players who are not with us regularly, look at a few new players as well as continue to make progress towards peaking in July," said Klimkova.
"We are grateful to the clubs for collaboration with us and allowing many of our players to be involved. The games will be a great opportunity for the football community to see their Football Ferns and the current world champions just six months before the women's world cup," she said.
It is the first time the Football Ferns will have played the USA in New Zealand.
Amongst the first time Ferns call ups are inaugural National League Championship winning duo Tayla O'Brien and Deven Jackson from Eastern Suburbs, Canterbury United Pride stalwart Rebecca Lake. Grace Neville, who has previously been a Ford Football Ferns training player, and goalkeeper Murphy Sheaff, who played all three group games in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2022 becomes the latest Junior Football Fern to make the step up to the senior side.
Football Ferns squad for USA series (Name; Club or College/Country; Caps/Goals)
Lily Alfeld; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (0/0)
Elizabeth Anton; Perth Glory, Australia (15/0)
Mackenzie Barry; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (3/0)
Hannah Blake; University of Michigan, USA (6/0)
Olivia Chance; Celtic FC, Scotland (37/2)
Daisy Cleverley; HB Køge, Denmark (24/2)
Ava Collins; St John's University, USA (7/0)
Anna Green; Sydney FC, Australia (80/8)
Ally Green; Vålerenga, Norway (2/0)
Jacqui Hand; Åland United, Finland (10/1)
Betsy Hassett; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (137/14)^
Deven Jackson; Eastern Suburbs AFC, NZ (0/0)*
Grace Jale; Canberra United, Australia (10/2)
Aniela Jensen; University of the Pacific, USA (0/0)
Rebecca Lake; Canterbury United Pride, NZ (0/0)*
Erin Nayler; IFK Norrköping, Sweden (78/0)
Grace Neville; London City Lionesses, England (0/0)*^
Tayla O'Brien; Eastern Suburbs AFC, NZ (0/0)*
Jana Radosavljevic; DSC Arminia Bielefeld, Germany (3/0)
Gabi Rennie; Arizona State University, USA (18/2)
Ali Riley; Angel City FC, USA (147/2)
Emma Rolston; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (14/6)
Paige Satchell; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (35/2)
Murphy Sheaff; Jacksonville University, USA (0/0)*
Ashleigh Ward; Southampton FC, England (2/0)
Grace Wisnewski; Wellington Phoenix FC, NZ (0/0)
* Debut squad
^ Available only for the 18 January game
Football Ferns vs USA
Wednesday 18 January, Wellington, 4:05pm.
Saturday 21 January, Eden Park, 4:05pm.
