REIMS, France _ U.S. coach Jill Ellis wasn't able to start her first-choice lineup in the group stage of the Women's World Cup because of minor injuries that sidelined Becky Sauerbrunn for the first game and Julie Ertz for the third. But she pronounced both players, as well as captain Alex Morgan, fit and available for Monday's round-of-16 game against Spain.
"Alex is fine," Ellis said Sunday.
Morgan came out of the group-play final with Sweden after a collision late in the first half. She has played just 45 minutes in this tournament since scoring a record-tying five goals and adding three assists in the opener against Thailand.
During the part of Sunday's training session open to media at the Centre de Vie Raymond Kopa complex, about four miles from Stade Auguste-Delaune where Monday's game will be played, both Morgan and Ertz practiced with the first team with no apparent restrictions.
