LOCALIZE IT: America’s star-studded women’s World Cup team has community ties from coast to coast

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: The 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand kicks off July 20 and runs through August 20. The United States, led by holdovers Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan and rising stars Sophia Smith and Alyssa Thompson, is heavily favored to win a record third consecutive title. The Americans are the only four-time World Cup winners, claiming titles in 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019. The U.S. begins group stage play against Vietnam on July 22. Portugal and the Netherlands are the other teams in Group E. The star-laden U.S. World Cup roster is comprised of 23 players. In addition, there are numerous players with U.S. ties competing in the tournament for other countries. ___ READ AP ‘S WORLD CUP GUIDE AND PLANNED COVERAGE Women’s World Cup Guide: How to watch, schedule and betting favorites AP Women’s World Cup coverage advisory World Cup coverage page on AP Newsroom ___ PLAYERS WITH US TIES Here’s a state by state breakdown of players you may want to follow. This list includes the 23 on the U.S. team roster and players with U.S. ties playing for Haiti, Panama and the Philippines . In addition, various World Cup watch parties and soccer celebrations are planned across the country. Contact local soccer clubs to find out if there’s anything going on in your area. The US Youth Soccer website is a good place to start: Click the menu in the upper left corner and go to ‘State Sites.’ – – – ALABAMA Riley Tanner, who played in college at Alabama, and plays for the NWSL’s Washington Spirit and Panama’s national team Hilary Jaen, former South Alabama player who plays for Panama’s national team – – – ARIZONA Julie Ertz, hometown Mesa, who plays for NWSL’s Angel City FC – – – CALIFORNIA Naomi Girma, hometown San Jose, who plays for NWSL’s San Diego Wave FC Savannah DeMelo, hometown Bellflower, who plays for Louisville FC Julie Ertz, who plays for Angel City FC Ashley Sanchez, hometown Monrovia, who plays for Washington Spirit Alex Morgan, hometown Diamond Bar, who plays for San Diego Wave FC Megan Rapinoe, hometown Redding, who plays for OL Reign Trinity Rodman, hometown Laguna Niguel, who plays for Washington Spirit Alyssa Thompson, hometown Studio City, who plays for Angel City FC Lynn Williams, hometown Fresno, who plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC Kaiya Jota, hometown Baldwin Park, has committed to Stanford University and plays for the Philippines national team Maya Alcantara, hometown Rancho Cucamonga, plays for Georgetown University and the Philippines national team – – – COLORADO Lindsey Horan, hometown Golden, who plays for Olympique Lyonnais (France) Sophia Smith, hometown Windsor, who plays for Portland Thorns FC Kaya Hawkinson, who plays for Cal State Fullerton and the Philippines national team – – – CONNECTICUT Alyssa Naeher, hometown Stratford, who plays for NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars – – – DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Aubrey Kingsbury, who plays for the Washington Spirit Ashley Sanchez, who plays for the Washington Spirit Andi Sullivan, who plays for the Washington Spirit Trinity Rodman, who plays for Washington Spirit Lara Larco, who plays for Georgetown University and Haitian national team Riley Tanner, who plays for Washington Spirit and Panama’s national team – – – FLORIDA Kerly Theus, who plays for USL W League’s FC Miami City and Haitian national team Lara Larco, hometown Boca Raton, who plays for Georgetown University and Haitian national team Nahomie Ambroise, who plays for Little Haiti FC and Haitian national team Noa Olivia Ganthier, hometown Boca Raton, who plays for Lipscomb University and Haitian national team – – – GEORGIA Kelley O’Hara, hometown Fayetteville, who plays for NWSL’s NJ-NY Gotham FC Emily Sonnett, hometown Marietta, who plays for OL Reign – – – IDAHO Sofia Huerta, hometown Boise, who plays for NWSL’s OL Reign – – – ILLINOIS Alyssa Naeher, who plays for NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars Alicia Barker, who played in college at Illinois, and plays for Pacific Northwest SC and Philippines national team – – – KENTUCKY Savannah DeMelo, who plays for Louisville FC – – – MASSACHUSETTS Kristie Mewis, hometown Hanson, who plays for NWSL’s NJ/NY Gotham FC – – – MISSISSIPPI Ruthny Mathurin, who plays for Mississippi State and Haitian national team Hilary Jaen, who plays for Jones College and Panama’s national team – – – NEW JERSEY Casey Murphy, hometown Bridgewater, who plays for NWSL’s North Carolina Courage Alana Cook, hometown Far Hills, who plays for OL Reign Kelley O’Hara, who plays for NJ-NY Gotham FC Kristie Mewis, who plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC Lynn Williams, who plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC – – – NEW YORK Crystal Dunn, hometown Rockville Centre, who plays for NWSL’s Portland Thorns FC Kelley O’Hara, who plays for NJ-NY Gotham FC Kristie Mewis, who plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC Lynn Williams, who plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC – – – NORTH CAROLINA Casey Murphy, who plays for NWSL’s North Carolina Courage Emily Fox,who plays for NWSL’s North Carolina Courage – – – OHIO Aubrey Kingsbury, hometown Cincinnati, who plays for NWSL’s Washington Spirit Rose Lavelle, hometown Cincinnati, who plays for OL Reign – – – OREGON Crystal Dunn, who plays for NWSL’s Portland Thorns FC Sophia Smith, who plays for Portland Thorns FC – – – SOUTH CAROLINA Carleigh Frilles, who transferred from Coast Carolina to VCU and plays for the Philippines national team – – – TENNESSEE Noa Olivia Ganthier, who plays for Lipscomb University and Haitian national team – – – TEXAS Isabella Pasion, who plays for Lebanon Trail High School and Philippines national team – – – VIRGINIA Emily Fox, hometown Ashburn, who plays for NWSL’s North Carolina Courage Andi Sullivan, hometown Lorton, Va., who plays for the Washington Spirit Milan Pierre-Jerome, who plays for George Mason University and Haitian national team Danielle Etienne, hometown Richmond, who plays for Fordham University and Haitian national team Carleigh Frilles, hometown Haymarket, who transferred to VCU from Coastal Carolina and plays for the Philippines national team – – – WASHINGTON Alana Cook, who plays for NWSL’s OL Reign Sofia Huerta, who plays for OL Reign Rose Lavelle, who plays for OL Reign Megan Rapinoe, who plays for OL Reign Emily Sonnett, who plays for OL Reign Alicia Barker, who plays for Pacific Northwest SC and Philippines national team – – – WEST VIRGINIA Isabella Flanigan, hometown Fairmont, who plays for Philippines national team ___ Localize It is an occasional feature produced by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to Katie Oyan at koyan@ap.org.