Lynn Williams cropped photo via wikipedia user Jamie Smed

The U.S. national women’s soccer team announced its final roster for the 2023 World Cup starting next month. Among the 23 players that made the roster, Valley Native Lynn Williams earned her spot to travel to Australia.

Williams was introduced to the roster by John Cena on Wednesday morning, along with the remainder of the roster. Just a year after undergoing surgery for a torn hamstring, she was able to bounce back to make the final cut.

Williams was born and raised in Fresno, where she played as a Knight at Bullard High School. She then continued her soccer career at Pepperdine University in Southern California.

As a Knight, Williams set records for the boys and girls programs. She set the school record in scoring 117 career goals and was named ESPN RISE All-American third team her senior year. She was inducted into the Bullard Soccer Hall of Fame in January.

In her career outside of Pepperdine and the national team, Williams plays for Gotham FC in New Jersey and New York for the National Women’s Soccer League. She will join her fellow teammate, Kelley O’Hara, who is making her fourth World Cup appearance.

Williams’ position as a forward on the field will allow her to train with returners Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, who are also making a fourth World Cup appearance. She will also train with first-timers Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Alyssa Thompson.

This isn’t William’s first time on the national team; she made her Olympic debut on July 27 against Australia for the final 16 minutes of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Her family is well known in the Valley for their athletic achievements. Her parents, David and Christine Williams, competed in track and field at Fresno State, while her sister Jessica competed in track and field at Cal Poly.

Two of her uncles, Paul, and James Williams, played football at Fresno State and in the NFL. One of her uncles, James, also known as J.D., is currently the defensive back and defensive pass game coordinator for Fresno State.