USWNT boss Andonovski explains Rapinoe return and Press absence ahead of CONCACAF W Championship

U.S. women's national team boss Vlatko Andonovski says he always planned to bring Megan Rapinoe back into the fold for this camp while adding that Christen Press was never in his plans even before suffering a recent injury.

Andonovski called in 23 players for the upcoming CONCACAF W Championship along with three other call-ups for June friendlies.

Rapinoe and Morgan have received their first call-ups since October, with the U.S. going with younger squads in the months since, but Andonovski says the plan was always to bring them back for the summer tournament.

"Megan and I had a great conversation after the season last year and she understood the processes that we're going go through and that this team will take," the U.S. head coach said.

"First I have to say that she had a tremendous Olympics, helped us win a medal, and after that she finished the season very well as well. So, within that conversation, she understood that we are going to bring a lot of players in, we are going to test a lot of players, we want to give the young players lots of minutes and opportunity to play and give us a chance to evaluate them as much as possible.

"After everything is said and done, if she's healthy and fit, she will be on the roster because we know what Megan is capable of doing or is able to do. We saw that even [in the few] minutes she got in the last game, how dangerous she can be."

Andonovski went on to say that Rapinoe's importance is more than just on the field, as she can mentor young stars like Mallory Pugh, Sophia Smith, Ashley Hatch and Trinity Rodman.

"She is very important for this group. Obviously this is a young group and we're bringing in lots of young players. Her experience and going through adversity, going through