The 17-year-old wide player, a standout for the Young Football Ferns squad at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, replaces Canberra United striker Emma Kete who suffered an ankle injury at training late last week.
New Zealand coach Tony Readings is targeting the Dallas match against the reigning Olympic champions and world number one Americans as a benchmark for his side’s own Olympic preparation with the last stage of Oceania qualifying now set for March 31 and April 4.
He says the challenge of playing the USA on their home soil is one every player would relish and is confident Patterson will take her chance if called upon.
“Every player wants to test themselves against the best team in the world and, while it’s devastating news for Emma, it’s a wonderful opportunity for Holly,” Readings says.
“Holly’s been around the environment for a while now and has been pushing hard for inclusion. She’s an exciting attack-minded player and she deserves her chance.”
Football Ferns squad for USA
(Club – caps/goals in brackets)
Goalkeepers
Jenny BINDON (Hibiscus Coast – 60/0)
Erin NAYLER (Eastern Suburbs – 0/0)
Defenders
Abbey ERCEG (Adelaide United, AUS – 62/4)
Anna GREEN (Lokomotive Leipzig, AUS – 42/5)
Kristy HILL (Three Kings United – 17/0)
Ria PERCIVAL (FFC Frankfurt, GER – 59/7)
Ali RILEY (Unattached – 52/1)
Rebecca SMITH (captain, VfL Wolfsburg, GER – 58/3)
Midfielders
Betsy HASSETT (Univ. California Berkeley, USA – 27/3)
Katie HOYLE (Bad Neuenahr, GER – 51/1)
Annalie LONGO (Three Kings United – 33/0)
Hayley MOORWOOD (Chelsea, ENG – 69/7)
Kirsty YALLOP (Vittsjo, SWE – 50/11)
Forwards
Amber HEARN (USV Jena, GER – 49/23)
Sarah GREGORIUS (Bad Neuenahr, GER – 17/9)
Holly PATTERSON (Claudelands Rovers – 0/0)
Rosie WHITE (UCLA, USA – 30/7)
Hannah WILKINSON (Glenfield Rovers – 24/9)
Staff
Tony READINGS – Head Coach
Gordon FORREST – Assistant Coach
Julie HOGG – Manager
Jen SAYER – Physiotherapist
Brad CONZA – Sports Scientist
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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