Changing of the guard for U.S. women's national team

Just 13 of the 23 members of the USA's 2015 Women's World Cup championship team were named to the roster for Olympic qualifying, signaling big changes on the national team. Retirements, injuries and pregnancies account for eight of the world champions who are missing, but Coach Jill Ellis also did not select veteransWhitney Engen and Heather O'Reilly. Included in the squad was 17-year-old Mallory Pugh, a high school senior.

Other selections include Emily Sonnett, the No. 1 pick in the NWSL College Draft out of Virginia, second-year pros Jaelene Hinkle, Sam Mewis and Stephanie McCaffrey, the 2015 NWSL MVP Crystal Dunnand 21-year-old Lindsey Horan, who returned home after four seasons at French club Paris St. Germain.

More cuts will follow. If the USA qualifies for Rio 2016, it will only be able to take 18 players.

The average age of the team is 25.7, down from 29.4 for the Women's World Cup.

U.S. Women's Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign).
DEFENDERS (7): *Jaelene Hinkle (Western New York Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), *Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns).
MIDFIELDERS (5): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns), *Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), *Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash).
FORWARDS (5): *Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), *Stephanie McCaffrey (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), *Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado).
*Not on 2015 Women's World Cup team.