Special to Gatorsports.com
Four Gators – three past and one current – are competing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup play in France.
The Canada roster includes a current Gator and an UF alumna. Rising junior Deanne Rose and Adriana Leon will play for Canada. Leon also played for Canada’s 2015 FIFA World Cup team.
The Jamaica roster includes a pair of Gator graduates making their first World Cup appearance – Lauren Silver and Havana Solaun, a Gainesville native and Buchholz High School grad. Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz are the first Caribbean team in history to advance to FIFA Women’s World Cup play.
About the World Cup Gators:
Adriana Leon (2012)
Transferred to Florida from Notre Dame for 2012 season.
Scored five goals (including four game winners) for Gators’ 2012 Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament champion teams
Entered National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) draft in January of 2013. Played for four different NWSL and currently member of West Ham United.
Making her second World Cup appearance as part of Canada’s 2015 roster. Second to U.S.’s Alex Morgan with six goals in 2018 CONCACAF Women’s Championship play.
Deanne Rose (2017-present)
Led Florida in 2017 with nine goals and 21 points.
SEC Freshman of the Year and only freshman on 2017 All-SEC first team
Limited collegiate play in 2018 due to national team commitments
Member of Canada 2016 Olympic team. Her goal versus Brazil in bronze medal match distinguishes her as youngest in women’s play to score a goal in Olympic action
Havana Solaun (2011-14)
Co-captain of Florida’s 2013 (co-SEC champions) and 2014 (NCAA Elite Eight) teams
2013 and 2014 All-SEC first team
Turned in 92 points as a Gator off 30 goals and 32 assists
Played with two NWSL teams and currently with Klepp IL in Norway
Lauren Silver (2011-14)
Played left outside back for Gators, appearing in 82 matches
Third among the 2013 SEC co-champion Gators with a collegiate-high six assists
After collegiate career, played with teams in Sweden, France, Scotland and currently with Norwegian Toppserien club SK Trondheims
Made international debut with Jamaica in 2014 CONACAF Women’s Championship
Gators in World Cup Play
There has been at least one Gator in each of the last six World Cups.
Year Players with UF Ties on World Cup Rosters
1999 Danielle Fotopoulos* (U.S.)
2003 Abby Wambach (U.S.)
2007 Abby Wambach (U.S.), Melanie Booth (Canada)
2011 Heather Mitts (U.S.)& Abby Wambach (U.S.)
2015 Abby Wambach* (U.S.), Adriana Leon (Canada)
2019 Adriana Leon & Deanne Rose (Canada) / Lauren Silver & Havana Solaun (Jamaica)
*World Cup champions
