The Philippine Women’s National Football Team holds an open training camp at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on August 23, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA -- Aston Villa defender Maz Pacheco has been called up to the Philippine women's national football team for a pair of friendlies in the October international window.
Coach Mark Torcaso unveiled his 26-player roster on Saturday, with Pacheco named among the defenders.
Born in England to an English father and a Filipina mother, Pacheco played for England at the youth level and has been a mainstay for Women's Super League side Aston Villa since 2021.
"Maz provides our group with professionalism, experience and excitement," Torcaso said of the 26-year-old left back. "After talking to Maz, she is very excited to come into camp and get into our training."
"Maz will work with our group to familiarize herself with our way of play. She along with a few other new faces will bring freshness and competition amongst the group," he added.
Torcaso said they are "equally excited" for Janae DeFazio, who saw action for the Kansas City Current in the NWSL.
"We want to keep expanding our pool of players and allow everyone every chance to play for our national team in the future. We have some fresh faces, some World Cup players return and also some youth," said Torcaso.
The Filipinas will play in the "Pink Ladies Week" in Türkiye at the end of the month. They take on Jordan on October 26 and DR Congo on October 30.
READ: PH football teams gear up for major competitions
The full list of players is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS
-- Olivia McDaniel
-- Nina Meollo
-- Inna Palacios
DEFENDERS
-- Angela Beard
-- Rhea Chan
-- Jessika Cowart
-- Janae DeFazio
-- Sofia Harrison
-- Hali Long
-- Ariana Markey
-- Mayumi Pacheco
-- Lauren Villasin
MIDFIELDERS
-- Anicka Castaneda
-- Judy Connolly
-- Sara Eggesvik
-- Kaya Hawkinson
-- Isabella Pasion
-- Quinley Quezada
-- Jaclyn Sawicki
-- Meryll Serrano
FORWARDS
-- Sarina Bolden
-- Alessandrea Carpio
-- Isabella Flanigan
-- Katrina Guillou
-- Nina Mathelus
-- Chandler McDaniel
Among the call-ups, Mathelus, Markey, and Villasin are coming from the youth level.
"This is an exciting group and we are very much looking forward to Türkiye. We will roll out our new playing style and begin to build for our Asian cup qualification, as well as AFF and SEA Games," said Torcaso. "This is a great chance for us to get our players back together after a long time away from each other."
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