In-Depth
Women's World Cup: Players to watch
Some have been there before while others are World Cup first-timers, but all of these women have the potential to capture the spotlight for their team.
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LINDSEY HORAN
National team: U.S.
Club team: NWSL Portland Thorns
Age: 25
World Cup Experience: 2019 is her debut
Since returning from Paris to play for the Thorns in 2016, Horan has been the best player in the NWSL, winning the league’s MVP award in 2018. Quickly becoming a linchpin of the national team — her recent absence due to injury had a noticeable effect — Horan is poised to be the face of the next generation of exceptional U.S. women’s national teams.
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JULIE ERTZ
National team: U.S.
Club team: NWSLChicago Red Stars
Age: 27
World Cup Experience: 2015
Ertz, née Johnston, broke out at the 2015 World Cup, playing every minute of every game for the U.S. team en route to being named to the tournament’s all-star team. Another great performance in France would solidify her as one of the world’s best midfield players.
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SAM KERR
National team: Australia
Club team: NWSL Chicago Red Stars
Age: 25
World Cup Experience: 2015
Kerr has become one of the most prolific scorers in women’s soccer, leading the NWSL in goals the last two seasons. If dark-horse Australia makes a run for the championship in France, Kerr will be the one leading the way.
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DEBINHA
National team: Brazil
Club team: NWSL North Carolina Courage
Age: 27
World Cup Experience: 2019 is her debut
Debinha missed the 2015 World Cup following a knee injury but has become a crucial player both for the NWSL-best North Carolina Courage and Brazil. She scored four key goals as Brazil won last year’s Copa América Femenina, cementing it as the best South American women’s team.
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KADEISHA BUCHANAN
National team: Canada
Club team: France’s Division 1 Féminine Olympique Lyonnais
Age: 23
World Cup Experience: 2019 is her debut
Winner of the best young player award at the 2015 World Cup in her home country, Buchanan made the move to France, where she has established herself as an important player for Europe’s most decorated women’s club team.
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NIKITA PARRIS
National team: England
Club team: France’s Division 1 Féminine Olympique Lyonnais ((formerly with FA Women’s Super League Manchester City)
Age: 25
World Cup Experience: 2019 is her debut
Parris was awarded the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year award in April before announcing last month that she was joining Lyon. She is one of the main reasons why England is now viewed as one of the tournament’s favorites.
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LIEKA MARTENS
National team: Netherlands
Club team: Spain's Primera Division Barcelona
Age: 26
World Cup Experience: 2015
Martens is one of the most well-known women’s soccer players in Europe, and for good reason. She scored the Netherlands’ first-ever Women’s World Cup goal in 2015 and was named 2017’s best women’s player by FIFA. A global stage awaits in France.
