As part of preparations for August’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan, the Junior Football Ferns will meet two-time U-20 world champions USA in Los Angeles on May 19, preceded by matches against semi-professional club sides LA Strikers and Pali Blues on May 15 and 17 respectively.
Talismanic striker Rosie White, who captained the squad through a successful qualifying campaign last month, is out of action for at least six weeks due to a stress fracture in her foot that is disrupting her preparations for the London Olympics.
But a bright spot for New Zealand is the inclusion of Melbourne Victory defender and former Australian U-20 international Rebekah Stott, who last night received clearance from FIFA to represent the country of her birth.
The Papamoa-born player moved to Australia as an 11-year-old and is seen as a strong contender to force her way into Olympic contention with the full New Zealand side later this year.
Despite White’s absence, the Junior Football Ferns squad still boasts five players with senior international experience and coach Aaron McFarland is excited about the opportunity to get a near full-strength side together as they build towards Japan.
“Given the crossover in players between our team and the full Football Ferns side, opportunities like this to have the squad together and build cohesion and combinations are relatively rare but extremely important,” McFarland says.
“The USA are consistently among the leaders in women’s football and their U-20s are no exception. They will be among the favourites to lift the title in Japan and they will be a great test for us, as will the two senior club sides.”
Junior Football Ferns squad for USA tour
Goalkeepers
Corina BROWN (Three Kings United)
Erin NAYLER (Eastern Suburbs)
Defenders
Tessa BERGER (Fencibles United)
Katie BOWEN (Captain / Glenfield Rovers)
Rachel HEAD (Lynn Avon United)
Holly PATTERSON (Claudelands Rovers)
Caitlin SMALLFIELD (Glenfield Rovers)
Rebekah STOTT (Melbourne Victory, Australia)
Ashleigh WARD (Glenfield Rovers)
Midfielders
Emily COOPER (Valdosta State University, USA)
Kate LOYE (Claudelands Rovers)
Tayla O’BRIEN (Lynn Avon United)
Nadia PEARL (Fresno University, USA)
Strikers
Olivia CHANCE (Claudelands Rovers)
Mary FRASER (Three Kings United)
Evie MILLYNN (Eastern Suburbs)
Katie ROOD (Lincoln Ladies, England)
Stephanie SKILTON (Glenfield Rovers)
Hannah WILKINSON (Glenfield Rovers)
Management
Coach: Aaron MCFARLAND
Goalkeeping coach: Gene GRANGER
Physio: Catherine PORTEOUS
Sports Scientist: Harriet STEELE
Manager: Rob PICKSTOCK
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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