The United States Women’s National Team's new head coach Emma Hayes has announced her first roster which features several players returning from injuries and three uncapped players for a pair of upcoming June friendlies.
This camp will be Hayes’ first as Head Coach after accepting the role with the team in November. Hayes, a serial winner, finished her season with Chelsea this past weekend where she led them to their fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title.
Twila Kilgore, who will now shift to assistant coach, acted as interim head coach for the friendlies earlier this year. Hayes and Kilgore have worked closely together over the last six months to watch players, curate rosters, and plan for the future.
The team will play South Korea on June 1 in Commerce City, Colorado at 5 p.m. ET, and again on June 4 in St. Paul, Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET. The games will be available on Universo, Max, and Peacock.
“I’m really looking forward to getting started,” said Hayes. “The preparations have been well underway and I can’t wait to get into camp. We know it’s a short turnaround and we have a lot of work to do, but I’m fully focused on making sure that the performances are at the levels that are required to compete.”
In the mix of players, the biggest absence is goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher who has been the starter for the USWNT. Naeher sustained a thigh injury in a game with the Chicago Red Stars earlier this month which has sidelined her.
Forward Alex Morgan and defenders Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson were named to the roster despite recent injury concerns. Morgan and Girma have been sidelined since late April. Davidson missed the last month of NWSL play due to injury but came off the bench in NJ/NY Gotham FC's 2-1 win over Chicago on May 19.
Goalkeepers Casey Murphy, Aubrey Kingsbury, and Jane Campbell have received the call, all of whom have spent time with the team on multiple occasions. Murphy has been the most frequent go-to backup for Naeher.
A notable change to the roster is Crystal Dunn listed as a forward. Dunn, who has previously been listed as a defender, has played a forward role for her club the last few seasons. Emily Sonnett, Dunn’s Gotham teammate, has also been listed as a defender as opposed to a midfielder where she has played more recently.
The roster has three players with over a hundred caps – Morgan (223), Lindsey Horan (146), and Dunn (145); while midfielder Rose Lavelle, who sits at 98 caps, could potentially hit the 100 cap mark if she were to play in both matches.
On the opposite side defender Sam Stabb, midfielder Hal Hershefelt, and midfielder Lily Yohannes are searching for their first caps in the games.
Stabb, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars, has been involved with the U-19 and U-23 teams. She has an extensive NWSL career, recently becoming the first and only player to have 100 consecutive starts and three Iron Woman seasons.
Hershfelt has become an immediate starter after being drafted fifth overall to the Washington Spirit during this most recent NWSL draft.
“I expect complete commitment from everyone to absorb very quickly the things that I value as the most important so that we can compete this summer," added Hayes. "I know they are a highly coachable group and I’m looking forward to challenging them. It’s time to go to work.”
In addition to the 23 players named to the roster, Hayes has invited three training players. Olivia Moultrie has been involved in the most recent camp for the USWNT where the team won the She Believes Cup. Croix Bethune who was the third overall pick in the draft and leads in rookie goals this season as well as her spirit teammate Kate Wiesner will train.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club) – June Friendlies vs. Korea Republic
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage)
DEFENDERS (7): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Sam Staab (Chicago Red Stars)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax, NED)
FORWARDS (7): Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
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