ATLANTA — Two Georgians have been selected to represent the U.S. in soccer for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, according to a release from the U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes.
Emily Sonnett and Jane Campbell were named on the 18-player roster, along with four alternates.
Sonnett, a seasoned NJ/NY Gotham FC defender, will make her second Olympic appearance. Campbell, a goalkeeper from the Houston Dash, has been named an alternate and will travel with the team to France.
“Making an Olympic roster is a huge privilege and an honor, and there is no denying that it was an extremely competitive process among the players and that there were difficult choices, especially considering how hard everyone has worked over the past ten months,” Hayes said.
Both athletes have their roots in Georgia, adding a local pride element to their selection. Sonnett, who grew up in Marietta, attended the University of Virginia, where she was a standout player before starting her professional career. Originally from Kennesaw, Campbell played at Stanford University and has been a crucial player for the Dash since joining the NWSL.
“Choosing an 18-player roster plus alternates involved many considerations, but I am excited for the group we have selected, and I’m looking forward to building on the work from last camp as we head into the Send-Off matches and then onto France," Hayes said. "These are great opportunities for us to continue to show the progress we are making.”
The U.S. team will begin their final preparations on July 8 in New Jersey, with two crucial matches against Mexico and Costa Rica before heading to France. These matches, set for July 13 and 16, will serve as a final test for the team.
The Olympic tournament kicks off on July 25, with the U.S. set to face Zambia, Germany, and Australia in the group stage. This year’s roster boasts a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, with an average age of 26.8 years, making it one of the youngest teams the U.S. has sent to the Olympics.
Georgia will cheer them on as they aim to bring the gold home. For more Peach State Olympians, head here.
