CHICAGO (Oct. 30, 2024) – U.S. Women’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team head coach Tricia Taliaferro has named her final 10-player roster for the 2024 IFCPF Women’s CP World Cup to be held Nov. 11-19 in Salou, Spain.
The round-robin tournament will see the No. 5-ranked CP WNT open against No. 6 Republic of Ireland on Friday, Nov. 15 (8:30 a.m. ET), face No. 1 Australia in a rematch of the 2022 World Cup Final on Saturday, Nov. 16 (8:30 a.m. ET), take on No. 7 Denmark on Sunday, Nov. 17 (5:30 a.m. ET), and close out the group-stage against No. 2 Japan on Monday, Nov. 18 (5:30 a.m. ET). The top-two finishers in the five team group will advance to the 2024 IFCPF Women’s CP World Cup Final on Tuesday, Nov. 19. All matches will be broadcast live via the IFCPF YouTube Channel.
"Competing in the World Cup is an incredible honor and opportunity for our team,” Taliaferro said. “We’re thrilled to represent our country on this stage and showcase the hard work, resilience, and talent of our players. Every member of this team has dedicated themselves to reaching this moment, and we are ready to give our all in Spain. This journey is about pushing our limits, competing fiercely, and showing the world what we’re made of. We’re prepared and excited to make our mark."
Taliaferro, who will guide the CP WNT in its second World Cup, has selected eight players who were part of the 2022 World Cup championship side. The returnees include Rebecca Ostrander (Carson City, Nev.), who switched to goalkeeper this cycle, defenders Michelle Cross (Mission Viejo, Calif.), Joey Martin (Kennett Square, Pa.) and Annie Wickett (Frederick, Md.), midfielders Catarina Guimaraes (Cranford, N.J. and Cassidy Leake (Murrieta, Calif.), and forwards Leah Glaser (Montclair, N.J.) and Jesslyn Kuhnel (Panama City, Fla.).
Meanwhile, midfielders Kaia Spencer (Seattle, Wash.) and Isabella Stankunas (Trappe, Pa.) bolster the squad as they both head to their first World Cup this November.
U.S. WOMEN’S CP NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER (Hometown; Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPER (1): Rebecca Ostrander* (Carson City, Nev.; 7/6)
DEFENDERS (3): Michelle Cross* (Mission Viejo, Calif.; 7/4), Joey Martin* (Smyrna, Ga.; 3/3), Annie Wickett* (Frederick, Md.; 6/7)
MIDFIELDERS (4): Catarina Guimaraes* (Cranford, NJ; 5/10), Cassidy Leake* (Murrieta, Calif.; 4/5), Kaia Spencer (Seattle, Wash.; 2/2), Isabella Stankunas (Trappe, Pa.; 2/3),
FORWARDS (2): Leah Glaser* (Montclair, N.J.; 6/3), Jesslyn Kuhnel* (Panama City, Fla.; 7/8),
*Part of 2022 IFCPF World Cup Roster
HISTORY VS. WORLD CUP OPPONENTS
The U.S. Women’s CP National Team has a 6W-0L-1D record since first beginning play in 2022 and the team has faced each of its four group opponents at least once already.
Last month, the USA defeated Republic of Ireland 6-2 during the CP International Series Friendlies, with Isabella Stankunas and Cassidy Leake each recording a brace on Sept. 28 in Dublin.
The CP WNT has twice faced Australia, both during the 2022 IFCPF World Cup. The USA utilized a hat trick from Annie Wickett to earn a comprehensive 4-0 win during the group stage on May 15, 2022. The teams faced off again in the World Cup Final two days later, and after playing to a 2-2 draw in regular time, the USA used extra time goals from Jesslyn Kuhnel and Joey Martin to earn a 4-2 win and claim its first World Cup title.
The USA faced Denmark for the first time during the CP International Series Friendlies last month, earning a 16-4 win on Sept. 29 in Dublin. Cassidy Leake and Annie Wickett both scored hat tricks in the match, while Michelle Cross and Kaia Spencer tallied braces.
The only match in which the CP WNT did not claim victory was the 1-1 draw with Japan during the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, with Catarina Guimaraes scoring the lone U.S. goal.
About the U.S. Women’s CP National Team
The U.S. Women’s CP National Team is for eligible qualifying players with Cerebral Palsy, stroke or traumatic brain injury. If you or someone you know qualifies for the Women’s CP National Team and plays at a high level, you can contact us via email at ExtendedNT@ussoccer.org for more information on potential playing opportunities.
About the U.S. Soccer Federation
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer has been the official governing body of the sport in the United States for more than 100 years. As U.S. Soccer looks toward the future amid an unprecedented moment of opportunity, we’ve aligned our efforts around five strategic pillars: Grow the game by increasing youth and adult participation and accessibility to the sport; Foster the best playing environments through quality of referees and coaches, increase DEIB and participant safety; Develop winning teams through solidified pathways and success of professional leagues; Grow the soccer economy to fuel reinvestment by increasing membership, fandom and commercial success; and Create a world-class organization through revitalized structure and culture, best-in-class talent, progress in DEIB, and more. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.
