46 star players you do NOT want to miss at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015

46 star players you do NOT want to miss at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015

As the next FIFA Women’s World Cup is fast approaching, I decided to create a special post to my blog by choosing two rosters, one composed with 23 young players (born in the nineties) and the other with 23 veterans star players, which fans should not miss at Canada 2015!

I also chose my eleven start lining up for both squads and their coaches. I believe these lists will not please everyone and may even shock some fans with the abstention of some players, but remember, this is my list, which is my opinion, and it is just entertainment! I hope you enjoy, share and start with me the countdown to the next World Cup!

The 90’s: 23 young players you do not want to miss at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015!

The 90’s roster:

Goalkeepers: Almuth Schult – Wang Fei – Mackenzie Arnold
Defenders: Andressa Alves da Silva – Kadeisha Buchanan – Bianca Schmidt – Wendie Renard – Saki Kumagai – Julie Johnston – Lucy Bronze
Midfielders: Morgan Brian – Alexia Putellas – Lieke Martens – Ji So Yun – Ramona Bachmann – Dzsenifer Marozsán
Forwards: Asisat Oshoala – Sofia Jakobsson – Vivianne Miedema – Mana Iwabuchi – Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg – Fran Kirby – Alexandra Popp
Coach: Vanessa Aráuz

The Starting Lineup: Almuth Schult – Julie Johnston – Bianca Schmidt – Wendie Renard – Alexia Putellas – Ji So Yun – Ramona Bachmann – Dzsenifer Marozsán – Sofia Jakobsson – Vivianne Miedema – Alexandra Popp

Almuth Schult

Born: February 1991
Current club: Vfl Wolsburg
Nationality: German
The German goalkeeper Almuth Schult is for sure one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Despite her young age she already has an impressive curriculum. The VfL Wolfsburg’s goalkeeper was awarded the title of World’s Best Goalkeeper in 2014 by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), she is two times winner of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) with her current club and has also won the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2010.

 

Wang Fei

Born: March 1990
Current club: Turbine Potsdam
Nationality: Chinese
Wang Fei is the first Chinese player in the Frauen Bundesliga and the unique player of the current Chinese squad that plays abroad. She became keeper at Turbine Potsdam in December, 2014. The 25 year-old player is currently one of the most promising goalkeepers in the world!

 

Mackenzie Arnold

Born: February 1994
Current club: Perth Glory
Nationality: Australian
The Westfield Matildas team is currently well provided with goalkeepers. The Australians have already a strong portfolio of good goalkeepers such as Lydia Williams and Melissa Barbieri, the team can now also count on Mackenzie Arnold who received a few days ago the Westfield W-League Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

 

Kadeisha Buchanan

Born: November 1995
Current club: West Virginia University
Nationality: Canadian
The 19-year-old defender is one of the most young new faces on the Canadian squad. Buchanan is also considered the Canadians newest star.

 

Andressa Alves

Born: November 1992
Current club: Brazilian permanent residency program
Nationality: Brazilian
Andressa Alves is a very versatile and skilled player of the Brazilian women’s national team. She can play in almost all positions: wingback, midfielder and forward. After Debinha missing out on the World Cup due to injury, Andressa has become the most promising young Brazilian player for this next Women’s World Cup.

 

Bianca Schmidt

Born: January 1990
Current club: FFC Frankfurt
Nationality: German
The 25-year-old can be considered a veteran despite her young age. She plays as a wing back for FFC Frankfurt and for the German national team. She has a long history with the German national team and has just won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with her current team.

 

Wendie Renard

Born: July 1990
Current club: Olympique Lyonnais
Nationality: French
Another player who can be considered a veteran despite her young age. The 24-year-old is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world. She helped her team Olympique Lyonnais to win many titles, including two UEFA Women’s Champions League (2010/2011 and 2011/2012).

 

Saki Kumagai

Born: October 1990
Current club: Olympique Lyonnais
Nationality: Japanese
The 24-year-old defender currently plays for French club Olympique Lyonnais in the Division 1 Féminine. The Japanese centre-back was part of Japan’s World Cup-winning team in 2011 and she scored the winning penalty in the final against the USA.

 

Julie Johnston

Born: April 1992
Current club: Chicago Red Stars
Nationality: American
Julie Johnston was the captain of the United States under-20 women’s national team that won the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2012. The defender has already scored 3 international goals with the senior USWNT, all of them assisted by Lauren Holiday. Johnston is one of the most promising players of United States.

 

Lucy Bronze

Born: October 1991
Current club: Manchester City
Nationality: English
The 23-year-old won the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year award on 27 April 2014 after helping Liverpool to win the FA Women’s Super League title in the previous year. The English defender was the only player from Liverpool’s championship-winning side to be selected in the Women’s Super League Team of the Year on 26 April 2015. Currently she is playing for Manchester City. She joined the club in the close season, after winning the FA Women’s Super League title with Liverpool.

 

Morgan Brian

Born: February 1993
Current club: Houston Dash
Nationality: American
Morgan Brian was selected as the first overall pick in the College Draft for the 2015 season of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The 22-year-old is another promising player of the USWNT.

 

Alexia Putellas

Born: February 1994
Current club: FC Barcelona
Nationality: Spanish
Spanish footballer, currently playing in Spain’s Primera División for FC Barcelona, with which she has played the Champions League and won one championship and one national cup. The attacking midfielder was a member of Spain’s 23-player squad for the Euro 2013 finals in Sweden.

 

Ji So Yun

Born: February 1991
Current club: Chelsea Ladies
Nationality: South Korean
The Chelsea Ladies midfielder Ji So Yun, called Ji Messi by her fans, was named the PFA Women’s Player of the Year in last month. The South Korean is now the first Asian player to secure the award. The 24-year-old made an impressive debut season after joining Chelsea Ladies in February last year scoring nine goals in 19 appearances.

 

Lieke Martens

Born: December 1992
Current club: Göteborg FC
Nationality: Dutch
The 22-year-old is one of the most promising Dutch player. Martens was the top scorer of the UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship 2010. She made her debut for the Dutch senior national team in 2011.

 

Ramona Bachmann

Born: December 1990
Current club: FC Rosengard
Nationality: Swiss
The 24-year-old Swiss is for sure one of the most electrifying players in the World. She joined the Swedish club Umeå IK in Damallsvenskan at the age of 16 in 2007, where she followed the steps of the best player in the world, Marta. Now Bachmann is the number ten of another Swedish club, Rosengard FC, where she composes a brilliant attacking trio with Mittag and Marta.

 

Dzsenifer Marozsán

Born: April 1992
Current club: FFC Frankfurt
Nationality: German
The 23-year-old is daughter of a former Hungary international footballer, János Marozsán. She made her debut with 14 years in Frauen Bundesliga and for this reason she was considered the youngest player to play in the Frauen Bundesliga, in 2007, and at the age of just 15 she became the Frauen Bundesliga’s youngest goal scorer. The German midfielder also helped her country to triumph at the 2008 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship, the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and at the 2013 UEFA Women’s Championship. Recently she won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with her current club, FFC Frankfurt.

 

Vivianne Miedema

Born: July 1996
Current club: FC Bayern Munich
Nationality: Dutch
In September 2013, the Dutch forward made her debut for the senior Netherlands women’s national team. The 18-year-old played a key role in the Netherlands’ qualification play-off victory over Scotland, in last October. Miedema is the main face of this young Dutch squad for the next Women’s World Cup. After the 2013/14 season with SC Heerenveen in the BeNe League, where she won the top-scorer award, Miedema signed a contract with Bayern Munich in June 2014. Also in 2014, she won the top-scorer award UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship.

 

Sofia Jakobsson

Born: April 1990
Current club: Montpellier
Nationality: Swedish
The 25-year-old despite her young age has a long history in Swedish women’s national team making her debut for the senior team in 2011. Jakobsson has played the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2012 London Olympics and the UEFA Women’s Euro 2013.The Swedish forward was the top scorer of the 2015 Algarve Cup and, recently, she ran for player of the year award, promoted by Eurosport France.

 

Mana Iwabuchi

Born: March 1993
Current club: FC Bayern Munich
Nationality: Japanese
The 22-year-old began her international career in 2008 when she was selected onto Japan’s Under-17 national team at the age of 15, and participated in the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. Japan was defeated in the quarterfinals but Iwabuchi was awarded the tournament’s MVP (adidas Golden Ball). The young player also made part of the of Nadeshiko Japan squad that won 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

 

Fran Kirby

Born: June 1993
Current club: Reading FC
Nationality: English
Kirby joined her hometown club Reading at the age of seven and made her debut for the Reading senior team at the age of sixteen but quit football the following year after an onset of depression. She returned to the club in 2012 and went on to become the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division’s top scorer for the 2012-13 season, with 32 goals in twenty-one appearances. The 21-year-old became the first player from the Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2) to be named in an England World Cup squad,  and has been included in Mark Sampson’s list of 23 players who are going to Canada 2015.

 

Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg

Born: July 1995
Current club: Olympique Lyonnais
Nationality: Norwegian
The 19-year-old made her debut for the Norwegian senior team in 2011. She currently play as a forward for Olympique Lyonnais in the Division 1 Féminine in France. She has previously played for Kolbotn and Stabæk in Toppserien and Turbine Potsdam in Frauen Bundesliga. Hegerberg was a part of the team that won silver at the 2013 UEFA Women’s Championship.

 

Alexandra Popp

Born: April 1991
Current club: VfL Wolfsburg
Nationality: German
The 24-year-old is another young player who has an enviable curriculum. Popp was honoured as the best player and top goal scorer of 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and in 2014 she was named the Footballer of the Year in Germany. She also won the UEFA Women’s Champions League on two occasions (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) with her current club.

 

Asisat Oshoala

Born: October, 1994
Current club: Liverpool Ladies
Nationality: Nigerian
The Liverpool forward was the best player and highest goal scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The Nigerian was also the best player and second top goal scorer with the Super Falcons team who won the 2014 African Women’s Championship. The 20-year-old was nominated recently among the five shortlisted footballers for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

 

Vanessa Aráuz

Born: February 1989
Nationality: Ecuadorian
Well, She hasn’t born in nineties, but the 26-year-old is the youngest coach in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and in her leadership Ecuador classified for the first time in history to play a Women’s World Cup!

 

 

The Veterans: 23 top star players you do not want to miss at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015!

The Veterans roster:

Goalkeepers: Hope Solo – Nadine Angerer – Hedvig Lindahl
Defenders: Ali Riley – Nilla Fischer – Casey Stoney – Laura Georges – Babett Peter – Becky Sauerbrunn – Ali Krieger
Midfielders: Formiga – Caroline Seger – Shirley Cruz – Vero Boquete – Lena Goessling – Louisa Necib – Lara Dickenmann
Forwards: Marta – Lotta Schelin – Eugénie Le Sommer – Celia Sasic – Christen Press – Christine Sinclair
Coach: Silvia Neid

Starting Lineup: Hope Solo – Nilla Fischer – Becky Sauerbrunn – Ali Krieger – Caroline Seger – Vero Boquete – Lena Goessling – Louisa Necib – Marta – Eugénie Le Sommer – Celia Sasic

Hope Solo

Born: July 1981
Current club: Seattle Reign FC
Nationality: American
The two-time Olympic medalist is the goalkeeper that has more shutouts in United States history. She also won the 2011 FIFA World Cup Golden Glove award. The 33-year-old is considered for many as the best goalkeeper in the world.

 

Nadine Angerer

Born: November 1987
Current club: Portland Thorns FC
Nationality: German
We can say that this German goalkeeper had an illustrious career because no other goalkeeper has won so many titles as her: three Olympic bronze medals (2000, 2004 and 2008), FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2003 and 2007, Best Goalkeeper at the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2013 FIFA World Player of the Year (becoming the first goalkeeper, male or female, to win the award) and many others. The next Women’s World Cup will be the last big tournament she will play with Germany women’s national team since she said recently that she’ll retire after the Women’s World Cup in Canada. We will miss you Angerer!

Hedvig Lindahl

Born: April 1983
Current club: Chelsea Ladies
Nationality: Swedish
Since the goalkeeper made her international debut in 2002, she has accrued over 100 caps for the Sweden women’s national team. Currently, she is playing for Chelsea Ladies and according to Blues coach Emma Hayes, Lindahl is the best goalkeeper in the Women’s Super League.

 

Ali Riley

Born: October 1987
Current club: FC Rosengard
Nationality: American / New Zealander
Ali Riley has born in California, USA, but has dual citizenship due to her father being New Zealander. She made her Football Ferns debut in 2007. Riley was nominated Rookie of the year in 2010 for the extinct WPS. Besides being a great player she also has the coolest videoblog called “The A&A Show” with Anita Asante, another fantastic player.

 

Ali Krieger

Born: July 1984
Current club: Washington Spirit
Nationality: American
Alexandra Krieger, more well known as Ali Krieger is one of best defenders in the world. She played every minute of all six United States matches at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but she missed the Olympic Games a year after due to a serious knee injury. Krieger defended for five years the German club FFC Frankfurt and won a UEFA Women’s Champions League with them. She also had a short stay in the Damallsvenskan playing for Tyreso FF in 2013. Krieger is one of the most popular players having many fans around the world. She also has a very cool brother who is a Hairdresser and has a channel on youtube.

Casey Stoney

Born: May 1982
Current club: Arsenal Ladies
Nationality: English
Casey Stoney, more recently known as Teddy and Tilly’s mom, made her senior team debut in August 2000, aged just 18. The versatile defender has been capped more than 100 times for the England women’s national team. Recently she was among players which made part of The PFA team of the year for the Women’s Super League (WSL).

 

Laura Georges

Born: August 1984
Current club: Paris Saint-Germain
Nationality: French
We can say with certainty that Georges is one of the best defenders in the world. The 30-year-old made her international debut for France in 2001 at the age of 17. She defended for many years the top French club Olympique Lyonnais but in 2013 Georges returned for her hometown’s club, Paris Saint-Germain, where she began her football career playing at the age of 12. Les Bleues are very well served by defenders with players like Georges and Renard.

Babett Peter

Born: May 1988
Current club: VfL Wolfsburg
Nationality: German
The 27-year-old is one of the most reliable and solid defenders. The full-back made her debut in the German national team in 2006. She is an important piece for the national team and for her current club, VfL Wolfsburg.

 

Becky Sauerbrunn

Born: June 1985
Current club: FC Kansas City
Nationality: American
Sauerbrunn made her first US national team appearance in 2008. She currently is playing a key role for Jill Ellis team. The 29-year-old centre-back recently became the first NWSL player to win back-to-back “Defender of the Year” honours for the 2014 and 2013 seasons.

 

Nilla Fischer

Born: August 1984
Current club: VfL Wolfsburg
Nationality: Swedish
Fischer is an absolute rock in defense and she’s only getting better with age. The 30-year-old was for two times one of ten players nominated for the FIFA Ballon d’Or (2013 and 2014).The Wolfsburg’s player is for sure one of the best players in the world!

 

Vero Boquete

Born: April 1987
Current club: FFC Frankfurt
Nationality: Spanish
Vero Boquete, or the princess of the king sport, made history recently becoming the first Spanish woman to win the Champions League when her team, FFC Frankfurt, beat PSG 2-1 in the ladies’ final held in Berlin. Vero also helped Spain to make history by qualifying for the first time for a senior Women’s World Cup. The 28-year-old was a candidate for FIFA Women’s World Player 2014.

Louisa Necib

Born: January 1987
Current club: Olympique Lyonnais
Nationality: French
The 28-year-old is one of the current stars of women’s football in France. Necib has been labeled by the French media as “the female Zidane”, since she has in common with Zidane, an Algerian ancestry, a childhood in Marseille and an immense skill. I am suspect to write about Necib, as the number 10 of France is one of my favourite players.

 

Shirley Cruz

Born: August 1985
Current club: Paris Saint-Germain
Nationality: Costa Rican
The 29-year-old footballer plays as a skillful and creative midfielder for French club Paris Saint-Germain in the Division 1 Féminine and for the Costa Rica women’s national team. Her first appearance with the senior team occurred in 2002. Cruz played a key role for Paris Saint-Germain to reach the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League this year.

 

Lena Goessling

Born: March 1986
Current club: VfL Wolfsburg
Nationality: German
Goessling plays a significant role in her club and for the Germany national team. The 28-year-old was named player of the match in Wolfsburg’s Champions League final victory over Olympique Lyon, in 2013 and she was also a crucial member of the Germany team at the EUROS when she was duly nominated for European Women’s Player of the Year in 2013. The midfielder was a regular as her current team retained the UEFA Women’s Champions League and Frauen-Bundesliga in 2014, also helping Germany claim the top seat in FIFA’s Women’s World Rankings this year for the first time in seven years.

Caroline Seger

Born: March 1985
Current club: Paris Saint-Germain
Nationality: Swedish
The 30-year-old made her debut for the Swedish women’s national team in 2005 and, since then, the midfielder has won over a century of caps. As a true leader she is responsible to command the midfield of the Swedish national team. Seger was appointed captain of Sweden in 2009 and later shared the role with Schelin.

 

Formiga

Born: March 1978
Current club: Brazilian permanent residency program
Nationality: Brazilian
Miraildes Maciel Mota, known as Formiga (Ant), holds many international records, being the only player present in all Olympic Games tournaments of women’s football since the first edition at the 1996 Summer Olympics, and sharing with Birgit Prinz a record five appearances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The 37-year-old midfielder completed recently twenty years defending the Brazilian women’s senior team. It is important to add that she completes 20 years playing at high level, with the same vitality of the beginning. Few players had a long career like her and I hope she play for many and many years more!

Lara Dickenmann

Born: November 1985
Current club: VfL Wolfsburg
Nationality: Swiss
Dickenmann made her senior debut for the Swiss women’s national team in 2002 at the age of 16. After many years the versatile footballer is leaving Olympique Lyonnais, which she joined in 2008. Recently she and her club mate Élise Bussaglia signed a contract to the German club VfL Wolfsburg. The German fans will be delighted with her presence in Frauen Bundesliga!

Marta

Born: February 1986
Current club: FC Rosengard
Nationality: Brazilian
She doesn’t need introductions. Simply the BEST player of ALL time.

 

Lotta Schelin

Born: February 1984
Current club: Olympique Lyonnais
Nationality: Swedish
Schelin made her debut in the Swedish national team in 2004. The 31-year-old striker is a strong and skillful playmaker for her national team and current club Olympique Lyonnais. Lotta, has won many titles and awards in her career and is considered one of the best and complete players in the world.

 

Eugénie Le Sommer

Born: May 1989
Current club: Olympique Lyonnais
Nationality: French
The petite footballer was only 19 when she made her debut for Les Bleues, in 2009 and a few years later Le Sommer has already reached the century mark in caps. Currently, the 26-year-old is the principal power of french attack.

 

Celia Sasic

Born: June 1988
Current club: FFC Frankfurt
Nationality: German
Sasic made her debut for Germany’s senior national team in 2005. Recently, the 26-year-old was nominated the top scorer of the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2014/2015, scoring 14 goals. I confess it took me a while to assimilate in the beginning that Okoyino da Mbabi and Sasic (married name) were the same person. Nevermind, I thought both were fantastic players!

Christen Press

Born: December 1988
Current club: Chicago Red Stars
Nationality: American
Press won many titles in her youth, the Hermann Trophy in 2010, the all-time scoring record at Stanford University and the WPS Rookie of the Year, in 2011. But she had to play one season abroad to gain confidence and show all her potential as a player. In 2013, she was the top scorer in the Damallsvenskan with 23 goals and became the first American to receive the Golden Boot award in the history of the league. After a winning season in Sweden, Press returned to the US to be a key forward of USWNT.

Christine Sinclair

Born: June 1983
Current club: Portland Thorns FC
Nationality: Canadian
Canada is hosting the next Women’s World Cup and their star forward, Christine Sinclair, is expected to lead the Canadian team to a title. At the age of 31, she is the all-time leader in goals scored for the Canadian national team and one of the most prolific scorers of all-time. The Olympic bronze medalist is definitely one of the best female players of history.

Silvia Neid

Born: May 1964
Nationality: German
What to say about Silvia Neid? She doesn’t require presentation, her name says it all: Best coach in history of women’s football and, for our sadness, she will retire after Rio 2016.

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed and did not hate me after finishing reading! I would like to know your opinion of which players you would add or remove from the lists. Thanks for reading!