FC Kansas City’s Becky Sauerbrunn selected a captain of the U.S. women’s national soccer team

FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn has been chosen as one of two captains of the U.S. women’s national soccer team.

Midfielder Carli Lloyd was the other player chosen Saturday by U.S. coach Jill Ellis.

They take over from Christie Rampone, who is sidelined for four to six weeks after undergoing minor knee surgery before Christmas, and Abby Wambach, who has retired.

“It’s a true honor to be named a captain of this team,” Sauerbrunn said. “I look at this group and what it’s accomplished and the hunger we still have for the things not yet accomplished and I’m constantly amazed. It’s a privilege to help keep that motivation strong and moving in the direction we want it to go.”

Sauerbrunn and Lloyd helped the U.S. win the Women’s World Cup title last year.

“As we move into the next phase of this program, I’ve selected two captains who I know will represent us extremely well on and off the field and will help facilitate the positive direction of this team,” Ellis said. “They are two extremely professional players in both game and training environments, and they embody the DNA of this program.”

This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 5:29 PM with the headline "FC Kansas City’s Becky Sauerbrunn selected a captain of the U.S. women’s national soccer team."