Julie Johnston replaces Crystal Dunn on USWNT World Cup qualifying roster
Julie Johnston has replaced injured Crystal Dunn on the United States women's national team roster for the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship, U.S. soccer announced on Tuesday.
Dunn sustained a mild sprain to the medial collateral ligament in her right knee during training on Friday and will be out for two to four weeks.
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Johnston, a defender, has been training with the U.S. since Oct. 6 and was coach Jill Ellis's choice to replace Dunn in the Women's World Cup qualifier.
"It’s an unfortunate situation and we definitely feel for Crystal, but we are confident that Julie can come in and contribute to our qualifying campaign,” said Ellis. “She’s a versatile player, she’s been training well and she’s ready to go."
Johnston is a former captain of both the U.S. under-20 and under-23 women's national teams. The under-20 team won the 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan.
The 22-year-old has four caps as a member of the U.S. women's national team and was the 2014 Rookie of the Year for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League.
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The United States begins CONCACAF play on Wednesday against Trinidad & Tobago in Kansas City, Kansas. They will also face Guatemala in Illinois and Haiti in Washington, D.C. during Group A play.
Both finalists and the winner of the third place match in the CONCACAF championship will earn automatic trips to the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada.
GALLERY: Players to Watch at CONCACAF WWCQs
CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying Players to Watch
F Abby Wambach, USA
F Sydney Leroux, USA
F Alex Morgan, USA
M Carli Lloyd, USA
GK Hope Solo, USA
D Alina Garciamendez, Mexico
M Teresa Noyola, Mexico
GK Cecilia Santiago, Mexico
F Daphne Herrera, Costa Rica
MF Shirley Cruz, Costa Rica
D Alicia Wilson, Jamaica
F Shakira Duncan, Jamaica
D Daniela Andrade, Guatemala
F Maria Monterroso, Guatemala
F Kennya Cordner, Trinidad & Tobago
F Ahkeela Mollon, Trinidad & Tobago
- Molly Geary