The marks the first National Team call-up for the WNY forward.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Jill Ellis has made two changes to the roster for the November training camp in California. Western New York Flash forward Jessica McDonald and Portland Thorns defender Emily Menges will replace defenders Jaelene Hinkle and Meghan Klingenberg on the 24-player squad set to face Romania in two friendlies later this month.
Hinkle, a Flash defender, was ruled out of WNT camp due to a lingering ankle injury, while Portland’s Klingenberg was ruled out due to a back injury.
McDonald has Youth National Team experience, playing with the U-17s, U-20s and U-23s. In 2007, Ellis coached her on the U-20 WNT during the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil where the USA claimed the silver medal after falling to Brazil’s senior squad in the final. McDonald scored against Paraguay and Argentina in that tournament.
The senior team call-up is the first for both McDonald and Menges.
McDonald is coming off a fantastic season with the 2016 NWSL Champion Western New York Flash. She started 19 games and scored 10 goals, second-most on the team behind NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner Lynn Williams, as well as second-most in the league. She finished in the top three in league standings for most assists (7), most shots (70) and most shots on goal (34). In the NWSL Championship game, McDonald provided the crucial assist to Williams that allowed the Flash to tie the match in the 124th minute. The forward was also named the 2016 WNY Flash team Most Valuable Players.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will play two matches against Romania, Nov. 10 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. (7 p.m. PT on ESPN2) and Nov. 13 at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. (6:30 p.m. PT on FS1). Ellis will name 18 players to suit up for each match.