The Women’s World Cup has reached the round of 16, with plenty of noise about the performance of the U.S. team. Favorites going into the competition, the U.S. team came close to being knocked out of a chance for a third consecutive world title; a 0-0 result against Portugal on Tuesday was just enough to get the team through to the last 16. The moment of truth comes Sunday when the U.S. plays its nemesis, Sweden.
Only 10 NCAA institutions have greater representation in World Cup teams than Rutgers University, according to scarletknights.com. Three former Rutgers’ Scarlet Knights are taking part in the current World Cup.
It’s the first World Cup for goalkeeper Casey Murphy, one of four goalies on the U.S. roster; the starter goalie is Alyssa Naeher.
Born in Bridgewater, Murphy played four years for the Scarlet Knights. Currently goalkeeper for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League, she made her first appearance for the national senior team in November 2021, in a 3–0 victory over Australia. In an interview with North Carolina TV station WRAL, Murphy said it’s been her dream to take part in the World Cup — “Now, being on that team, yeah, it’s pretty awesome.”
The other two Rutgers alumnae in the World Cup play for Jamaica. Chantelle Swaby, a native of West Hartford, Connecticut, anchored the Scarlet Knights defense and helped lead it to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals in 2019. This is her second World Cup. Her sister Allyson is also on the 43rd-ranked Jamaica team, which has been one of the surprises of the tournament, not least for knocking fifth-ranked Brazil out of the competition with a 0-0 result. The sisters — dubbed “Double Swaby” by team coach Lorne Donaldson — are credited for their resolute defense as a major factor in Jamaica’s great showing in the competition.
Tiernny Wiltshire, who made more than 70 career appearances for the Scarlet Knights, is also on the Jamaica team, otherwise known as the Reggae Girlz. Born in Elmer, Salem County, the forward was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team in 2019.
Of course, the most famous Scarlet Knight ever to grace a World Cup team remains Carli Lloyd.