Roster reveals more about Ellis' plan than the players chosen.

For the first time in her tenure, USWNT Head Coach Jill Ellis can truly say this is her team. Ellis was brought in just 14 short months before the 2015 WWC. In many ways, her role was to steady the ship. Quickly.

After winning the World Cup, Ellis was rewarded with a much-deserved contract extension. With the quick turnaround to the Olympics, Ellis is faced with two options; be safe and keep the WWC roster in tact, or, infuse much needed youth.

The retirements, injuries, and pregnancies certainly have forced Ellis' hand toward the latter. For next month's Olympic Qualifiers though, Ellis went ALL IN.

This move may actually be an act of brilliance by coach Ellis.

The Olympic Qualifiers are important, but they are not the Olympics. The CONCACAF region is still pretty light on competition, and the Rio roster can change. (Julie Johnston was not on the WWCQ roster).

Bringing young players like Pugh, Hinkle, McCaffrey, and Mewis gives them meaningful (yet low risk) game experience- without the commitment of an Olympic roster spot.

Through the Olympic Qualifers, the #SheBelieves Cup, and the start of the NWSL season, Ellis will be able to get a full picture of what players can do when tested-both young and old.

So. fear not Heather O'Reilly fans, this is not the end of her USWNT career.