The 18 players who'll shoot for USWNT's fourth straight Olympic gold in Rio

The United States women’s national team will go for a fourth straight Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro next month – and a fifth in six editions of the Summer Games’ women’s soccer tournament. On Tuesday, head coach Jill Ellis named her 18-player roster, most of which was drawn from the team that won the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.

The team contained no major surprises, although it necessitated some difficult cuts like veteran Heather O’Reilly, since Olympic rosters allow five fewer players than the World Cup.

“The last few camps capped a nine-month evaluation process and the players certainly made it a real challenge to narrow the roster down to 18,” Ellis said in a statement. “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. As a coach in the Olympic Games, you want to put together a group capable of reaching the top of the podium while also being mindful of getting players prepared for the next World Cup, and I think we’ve done that.”

Her team reflects the significant turnover in the once ossified women’s team hierarchy, which has seen several mainstays like Abby Wambach, Christie Rampone, Lauren Holiday and Shannon Boxx retire in the last year. Fourteen of the 18 players were also on the World Cup squad, but room was finally made for forward Crystal Dunn, who was famously cut in 2015 and then became the most dominant player in the National Women’s Soccer League and its most valuable player.

Midfielder and co-captain Carli Lloyd, winger Tobin Heath and goalkeeper Hope Solo will be on their third Olympic team. Playmaker Megan Rapinoe, striker Alex Morgan, outside defender Kelley O’Hara and central defender Becky Sauerbrunn will be going for a second time. The other 11 players will be making their Olympic debut.

Lloyd and Rapinoe both recovered from significant injuries in time to rejoin the team for Rio.

The Americans kick off group play against New Zealand on Aug. 3, followed by games against France on Aug. 6 and Colombia on Aug. 9.

Below is the full roster. Portland Thorns FC lead the way with four players, followed by the Chicago Red Stars with three and Seattle Reign FC, Houston Dash and Washington Spirit with two each. Sky Blue FC, FC Kansas City, the Orlando Pride and the Boston Breakers have one each.

U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM FOR 2016 SUMMER OLYMPICS

GOALKEEPERS – Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC). Alternate: Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride).

DEFENDERS – Whitney Engen (Boston Breakers), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Portland Thorns FC), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City). Alternate: Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC).

MIDFIELDERS – Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC). Alternates: Samantha Mewis (Western New York Flash), Heather O’Reilly (FC Kansas City)

FORWARDS – Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (Real Colorado). Alternates: None.