Massachusetts Local Star Makes The World Cup Roster
The U.S. Women’s National soccer team recently announced its roster. This resulted in exciting news for New Englanders. A Massachusetts native officially made the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup USA roster.
Kristie Mewis #22
Mewis was born in Weymouth, and grew up in Hanson. She graduated from Whitman-Hanson Regional High School where she was a three-time All-American midfielder.
From Hanson to Chestnut Hill, Mewis then went on to play soccer at Boston College, where she scored 33 goals over the course of her four-year career.
In 2020, Mewis and her younger sister Samantha were both selected to play on the Team USA Women’s Olympic team in Tokyo. They took home the bronze medal. Unfortunately, Samantha is not on this year’s World Cup team, due to a knee injury she is currently recovering from.
Also in Boston, Mewis played for the Breakers in the National Women’s Soccer League from 2014-2016. Currently, Mewis is part of the Gotham FC team.
2023 World Cup
The FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup is set to begin on July 20. The United States has been placed in Group E, along with Portugal, Netherlands, and Vietnam. The US will face Vietnam in their opening game on July 21. The tournament will take place in both Australia and New Zealand. In fact, it’s the first World Cup to be hosted in two different countries. Lastly, the championship round is slated to be held on August 20.
In total, 32 teams will partake. The games will be played in 10 venues across nine different cities. The United States, in Group E, will kick off in New Zealand.
From Massachusetts to New Zealand, Mewis will be on a Women’s Team that is the World Cup defending champion. The United States Women’s team defeated Netherlands 2-0.
The 2023 games represent another great milestone for Mewis. After being dropped by the U.S. national team (due to a major injury) she made a heroic comeback in 2020. Now, this Massachusetts star midfielder will be part of the Women’s World Cup team that will attempt to defend their title next month.
A Look at the New U.S. Women's Soccer Uniforms
U.S. Soccer and Nike just revealed the new women’s 2023 home and away USA soccer uniforms. The national team will sport this new look during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, these will also be worn in games and events leading up to the World Cup.
Through a press release, USA Soccer noted, “Starting with listening to the players who embrace their role as trendsetters and boundary-pushers, the design, colors and aesthetic of the jerseys were heavily influenced and built by the players,” while explaining the new design. The players worked with Nike designers and came up with a classic combination of comfort and tradition. On this uniform collection you will notice a custom USA “signature.” “The bespoke mark is hand painted with ink on paper, and is a nod to the abstract expressionism movement, where each artist would sign their painting,” the press release states.
Home Whites
The U.S. women’s team will wear white at home. This combination features one of the more unique patterns you will see in the game. Team U.S.A. describes it by saying, “Highlighting the energy of the USWNT and how they are diverse players and personalities, but always united, the action painting method pattern features a distinctive placement, making every single jersey unique. The jersey also features distinctive gold branding as a nod to the team being the four-time World Cup champions and will be paired with blue shorts and white socks.”
U.S. Women’s national team has four World Cup championships – 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019. This is also recognized in the inner pride mark of the uniform.
Road Blues
The away option will also eventually be worn by the U.S. Men’s team. This is an all-blue arrangement (including shorts and socks) that features “bespoke stars and stripe print on the sleeve cuffs – a diagonal stripe with intersecting stars – and a neckline that also features red blades, formed to look like the tip of stars.”
Innovation
Nike crafted this uniform using innovative design techniques that emphasize player comfort and staying cool. Designers were able to interchange mesh and ribbed textures. This is a method that was not available to them as recently as 2019. Other notable material enhancements include – DRI-FIT technology, 4D data with body mapping technology, and breathability functionality designed to move sweat away from the player’s body. There are two neckline options based on the female athlete’s preference and a new side panel that offers increased stretch.
Furthermore, sustainability was a top priority in the evolution of these uniforms. They are made of 100% recycled polyester from recycled plastic bottles. Less material was utilized. As a result, this almost doubling fabric marker efficiency compared to 2019.
Finally, is the classic Nike Swoosh and USWNT crests. This is comprised of 100% Nike Grind for the first time in a Nike kit. Nike Grind is a collection of recycled materials they developed. It is composed of pre-consumer manufacturing scraps, recycled post-consumer shoes from the Reuse-A-Shoe program, and unsellable footwear.
Fans can purchase the jerseys during a special early access window until April 12 at select retailers, including the U.S. Soccer Store. Visa cardholders have the option to customize their jerseys. After this exclusive offering closes, uniforms will be available to purchase via Nike or USA Soccer on June 5th, with mass distribution aligned to June 8th.
The uniforms will debut on the field during the two-game series against Ireland on April 8th and 11 in Austin, TX, and St. Louis, MO.
Here is a look at the new women’s 2023 USA soccer uniforms.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.