Despite doubts about knee, Megan Rapinoe named to U.S. team

Megan Rapinoe, who is coming off December knee surgery, has been named to the national team roster for the Rio Games along with Carli Lloyd, who has scored in the gold-medal-winning final for the United States in the past two Olympics.

Lloyd, who also scored three goals in 16 minutes to lead the United States to victory over Japan in the final at last summer’s Women’s World Cup, joins fellow three-time Olympians Tobin Heath, a midfielder, and goalkeeper Hope Solo on the roster announced Tuesday.

Former Cal forward Alex Morgan and Stanford alum Kelley O’Hara, a defender, will make their second Olympic appearances, as will defender Becky Sauerbrunn.

Rapinoe, a Redding native, injured her knee during practice when the team was in Hawaii for a World Cup victory-tour match, which was later canceled because of the poor condition of the turf at Aloha Stadium.

[...] making their Olympic debuts will be goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, defenders Whitney Engen, Meghan Klingenberg and Ali Krieger; midfielders Morgan Brian, Lindsey Horan and Allie Long, and forwards Crystal Dunn and Mallory Pugh.

Pugh, at 18, is the youngest player on the roster.

“We’ve got a great blend of players with experience at the Olympic Games and in major events along with the youthful energy of some players who did not play in the Women’s World Cup last summer,” Ellis said in a statement.

U.S. soccer roster