Sunday 15 February 2015 14:14, UK
Liverpool Ladies goalkeeper Libby Stout is prepared to patiently wait for a full international call-up with the United States Women’s National team.
The 24-year-old was overlooked for selection by USA coach Jill Ellis for the friendly game against England at Milton Keynes on Friday despite the unavailability of troubled regular goalkeeper Hope Solo.
But the former USA U23 international, who won the title in her first season with Liverpool, remains optimistic she will one day get the chance to represent her country at senior level.
I want to say it’s only a matter of time and if I continue to do as well as I have done I’m hopeful that call will come.
“I'm always hopeful that it is going to happen at some point but I just think this time they have older back-up keepers who have been there for a bit,” Stout told Sky Sports.
“The girl that they have just called up, Alyssa Naeher, is closer to my age at 26 but for her to get called in was a really positive thing for me to see because she was in the U23s and had not been called up since then.
“That is the same situation I am in although I am younger than she is. Even if I don’t get a call-up in the future it’s good to see that they are still remembering that those girls are there, that they’re still available and want to be there. I am also one of those.
“I want to say it’s only a matter of time and if I continue to do as well as I have done I’m hopeful that call will come.
'Difficult'
“But if it doesn’t I wouldn’t say all of this is for a loss because I have certainly put everything I can into my professional career and if I get an international call-up at some point that will just be the cherry on the top.
Stout, who joined Liverpool a year ago from German Bundesliga side BV Cloppenburg, is currently the only American player in the top flight of women’s football in England.
“I do wonder if playing abroad makes it a little more difficult to get noticed,” she added.
“But for me I wouldn’t go back to the States just to be on the national team or try and get that opportunity because it’s not a given even if I go back.
“I just really appreciate the opportunity I have now to play overseas here in England. To get this experience I think makes me a stronger player and person to come into a national team camp one day.”
Stout is expected to attend Friday’s game at stadium:mk and the shot-stopper expects the game to be a fascinating contest.
“The States just lost 2-0 to France so I'm expecting a very open and exciting game,” she said. “It will be a good test for England to see where they are at.
“Both teams want to be contenders at the World Cup in the summer. I think England have got a lot to prove and I think they'll go out there to prove it.”
