​Not nine months ago 23 of the greatest players in the world lifted women’s soccer’s most valuable trophy. Led by hat-trick hero Carli Lloyd the United States women’s national team dismantled Japan, 5-2, and captured their third World Cup title. Next up for the World Champions? Another Olympic title. First our USWNT will have to navigate CONCACAF qualifying in Texas before Brazil. Given the Lady Nats’ global reign qualification shouldn’t be difficult. We captured gold in London over Japan; revenge for their WWC win in 2011. Since women’s soccer first appeared in the Olympics (fitting in the United States in 1996) our WNT has taken golden four out of the five summer games; the only “blemish” was silver in 2000. The Olympic roster for Brazil is only comprised of 18 players meaning a few faces from last summer won’t feature in qualifying or in Brazil like Megan Rapinoe (ACL injury), Christine Rampone (injury), Sydney Leroux (pregnancy), Amy Rodriguez (pregnancy), Whitney Engen (omission) and Heather O’Reilly (omission) are all off the roster. Since that warm and sunny afternoon in Vancouver Abby Wambach, Lori Chalupny, Lauren Holiday, and Shannon Boxx have hung up their cleats. But, make no mistake, this roster is prepared to dominate Thirteen players from the WWC winning side are included on this qualifying roster including fresh faces Lindsay Horan, Stephanie McCaffrey, Jaelene Hinkle, Emily Sonnett, Samantha Mewis, 2015 NWSL leading goal scorer Crystal Dunn, and 17-year old Mallory Pugh (#PughPughPugh) Unlike the men’s version of the Olympic tournament (which is restricted to players under 23, with three exceptions) the women’s bracket in Brazil is open to full national sides and is considered a major trophy for any national team. We’ve been there four times and we want it, again. The WNT is looking to become the first Women’s World Cup champion to follow their triumph with gold the next year. We’re better positioned than ever to become the first back-to-back World Cup and Olympic gold medalists. Because #WNTRunTheWorld.

Qualifying Schedule

Wednesday, February 10 - 7:30pm CT (NBC Live Extra - Free Streaming) WNT vs. Costa Rica (FINAL: 5-0) Toyota Stadium - Frisco, TX (AO TICKETS) Saturday, February 13 - 3pm CT (NBC Live Extra, NBC Universo) WNT vs. Mexico (FINAL: 1-0) Toyota Stadium - Frisco, TX (AO TICKETS) Monday, February 15 - 7:30pm CT (NBCSN, NBC Live Extra, NBC Universo) WNT vs. Puerto Rico (FINAL: 10-0) Toyota Stadium - Frisco, TX (AO TICKETS) Friday, February 19 - 7:30pm CT (NBCSN) Semifinal vs. Trinidad & Tobago (FINAL: 5-0) BBVA Compass Arena - Houston, TX (AO TICKETS) Sunday, February 21 - 4pm CT (NBC Live Extra, NBC Universo) Final vs. Canada BBVA Compass Area - Houston, TX (AO TICKETS)

Full USWNT Roster

Goalkeepers (3): Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC) Defenders (7): Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC) Midfielders (5): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash) Forwards (5): Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Stephanie McCaffrey (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado)