Tarpley, Osborne added to US WCup roster

By foxsports
Published

Midfielders Lindsay Tarpley, Leslie Osborne and Tina DiMartino have been added to the U.S. roster for the Women's World Cup qualifying playoff against Italy.

Backup goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, who trained with the team during regional qualifying in Mexico, also has been added to the 24-woman roster, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Friday.

Eighteen players can dress for each game in the playoff, which will determine the final berth in the 16-team tournament next year in Germany.

The U.S. leaves Sunday for the first leg, which will be Nov. 20 in Padova, Italy. The return leg in the total-goals series is Nov. 27 at Bridgeview, Ill.

The Americans were forced into the playoff when they were upset 2-1 by Mexico in the semifinals. The U.S. then beat Costa Rica in the third-place game and advanced to the playoff against Italy, which finished fifth in European qualifying.

Tarpley is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and trained with the team in Mexico. She has 120 international appearances.

Osborne, part of the 2007 World Cup roster, has not been with the team since July 2009. DiMartino had four goals this season for Philadelphia in WPS.

Goalkeeper Hope Solo is sidelined by a right shoulder injury that requires surgery. She's expected to return in time for the World Cup on June 26 in Germany.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart (Gold Pride), Ashlyn Harris (Washington), Jill Loyden (Chicago)

Defenders: Rachel Buehler (Gold Pride), Stephanie Cox (Boston), Ali Krieger (Frankfurt, Germany), Amy LePeilbet (Boston), Heather Mitts (Philadelphia), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue), Becky Sauerbrunn (Washington)

Midfielders: Yael Averbuch (Sky Blue), Shannon Boxx (Gold Pride), Tina DiMartino (Philadelphia), Kristine Lilly (Boston), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue), Heather O'Reilly (Sky Blue), Leslie Osborne (Boston), Megan Rapinoe (Chicago), Lindsay Tarpley (Boston)

Forwards: Lauren Cheney (Boston), Alex Morgan (California), Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia), Abby Wambach (Washington)