Casey Murphy is headed to the Olympics.
The former Rutgers goalie and Bridgewater native was selected as one of the two goaltenders on the 18-player roster for the U.S. women’s soccer team, an announcement that continues her ascent in the sport and checks off an item on her career bucket list.
Murphy, who plays professionally for the North Carolina Courage of the NSWL, told NJ Advance Media before Wednesday’s official news that competing in the quadrennial event was something she dreamed about as a girl playing on fields in Central Jersey.
“Being on the youth national team, my goal was always to make the first team,” Murphy said. “When I made the first team, World Cups and Olympics were definitely a dream of mine.”
Murphy was on the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, although the result was not what she wanted or expected. Murphy did not see action as the USWNT lost to Sweden in the Round of 16, backing up veteran starter Alyssa Naeher.
“I learned to stay ready,” Murphy said. “I wasn’t certain the role I was going to play, and once the World Cup started, for me it was about staying ready and doing what the team needed from me. It’s just motivation to make that roster again and continue to fight, improve and compete, because nothing’s guaranteed.”
It is unclear if her role will be the same in Paris next month. Naeher, 36, was also named to the roster and is one of the best American goalies of all time, but she is recovering from an injury which could lead new head coach Emma Hayes to rely on both of her netminders.
Murphy, simply put, is a Rutgers all-time great. The Big Ten’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2017, she went nine games without giving up a goal in her final season to earn All-America honors. Murphy led the Scarlet Knights to three straight NCAA Tournament berths and a Final Four appearance in 2015.
At 6-foot-1, Murphy is the tallest goalkeeper in USWNT history. She became the seventh U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in her USWNT debut in 2021, with a 3-0 shutout over Australia. She recorded her 10th career shutout in April against Ireland, making her the ninth goalkeeper in USWNT history to reach double-digit shutouts.
The complete U.S. roster will also include five players from Gotham FC, the NWSL team that plays in Harrison:
Goalkeepers: Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Murphy (North Carolina Courage).
Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC).
Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea).
Forwards: Crystal Dunn (Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego), Sophia Smith (Portland), Mallory Swanson (Chicago).
Alternates: GK Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), MF Hal Hershfelt (Washington), MF Croix Bethune (Washington), F Lynn Williams (Gotham).
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Steve Politi may be reached at spoliti@njadvancemedia.com.