9/11/24 - The US Mini Football Women's National Team today announced its roster for October's WMF Women's World Cup in Mali Losinj, Croatia. Fifteen players and six alternates were charged with the task of earning a second straight world title.

US Mini Football Technical Director Craig Rhodis, Goalkeeper Coach Mark Litton, and eight players return from the 2021 squad that won the first ever WMF Women's World Cup in Kiev, Ukraine.

Returning are 2021 WMF World Cup leading scorer Kenne Kessler, twins Gabby and Emily Byorth, Ashley Gogolin, Alivia Milesky, Erin Yenney, Val Battisti, and Christy Zwolski. 2021 Best Goalkeeper Braeleigh McCoy,was named as an alternate.

Of the seven players slated to make their World Cup debuts, three, Elyssa Francis, Kaela Dickerman and Kate Drummond, appeared at both of the team's training camps held in March 2023 in Louisville and this July in Cincinnati. The other four earned their spots from July's camp.

Rhodis and Litton will be joined for the first time by a trio of assistant coaches who have starred for the US Mini Football Men's National Team as well as in indoor soccer's Major Arena Soccer League. Franck Tayou, Uzi Tayou and Ian Bennett were at July's training camp and were part of the roster selection process.

“Our staff and players have worked hard to make sure we are prepared for this World Cup. We have very high expectations for our women’s team, but we realize that the competition will be very strong. We are always looking for ways to improve, to raise our standard. That is one of the reasons for adding Franck, Ian and Uzi to the staff. They will help us tremendously,” said Rhodis.

“As we have gone through the process of selecting the roster and preparing the group, we have realized that one of our advantages is that our women have a competitive indoor league. Fourteen of our 15 players compete in the MASLW. A competitive league creates better players. This has given us a head start. As this league continues to grow, it will create more competition for future rosters,” added Litton, who was just named Co-Commissioner of the MASLW.

Coaches

Craig Rhodis - Head Coach

Uzi Tayou - Assistant Coach

Franck Tayou - Assistant Coach

Ian Bennett - Assistant Coach

Mark Litton - GK Coach/Assistant Coach

Roster

Elyssa Francis - Goalkeeper Louisville, Kentucky

Annabelle Hegeman - Goalkeeper Youngstown, Ohio

Jordyn Bartleson - Defender Tacoma, Washington*

Valerie (Lelle) Battisti - Defender Arlington Heights, Illinois

Gabby Byorth - Defender Cincinnati, Ohio

Emily Byorth - Defender Cincinnati, Ohio

Ashley Gogolin - Defender Columbus, Ohio

Alivia Milesky - Midfielder Columbus, Ohio

Kaela Dickerman - Midfielder Louisville, Kentucky

Erin Yenney - Midfielder Louisville, Kentucky

Kate Drummond - Midfielder Cincinnati, Ohio

Kelsey Keown - Midfielder Memphis, Tennessee

Shannon McCarthy - Midfielder Detroit, Michigan

Emaly Vatne - Forward Columbus, Ohio

Kenne Kessler - Forward Dallas, Texas

Christy Zwolski - Forward Cincinnati, Ohio

*injured

Alternates

Braeleigh McCoy - Goalkeeper Grand Rapids, Michigan

Macey Wierenga - Midfielder Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kayla Addison - Forward Detroit, Michigan

Ashley Buchta - Foward Brownsville, Texas

Jen LaPonte - Defender Houston, Texas

Emily Webster - Defender Tacoma, Washington