The USWNT boss continues to turn over the player pool, and this squad features intriguing choices
While discussing her latest roster selections, Emma Hayes was asked to reflect on it all. It has been almost exactly a year since she arrived as U.S. women's national team coach. With an Olympic gold in her back pocket and now with the experience of starting a fresh cycle, this was a time to take stock.
"The truth is I'm in love with my job every day," she said, then detailed the best aspects of the role – the challenges, the leadership lessons, the culture. And ahead of upcoming friendlies against China and Jamaica, Hayes' favorite part? The opportunities.
This camp will represent exactly that for many: an opportunity. Hayes named a 24-player squad for these two matches, which will be held on May 31 and June 3. The roster features a key return, two first-time call-ups, a further uncapped player and a whole lot of young faces, all of whom are looking to take their own leap toward the 2027 Women's World Cup.
The USWNT split a pair of friendlies with Brazil in April, winning the first match 2-0 before falling 2-1 in the second. Facing Brazil wasn't going to be easy, and that proved to be the case. The games marked a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal match, so there was a lot on the line despite it being labeled a "friendly." Yet given that the 2027 World Cup is still two years away, Hayes made it very clear that once again she would be experimenting with players – because she can.
The USWNT isn't a finished product, and it isn't meant to be at this point in the cycle. For Hayes, the player pool continues to expand, and this camp will give her a chance to learn multiple lessons about those in it.
GOAL takes a look at the five big takeaways from Hayes' squad selection.
Getty ImagesGirma's return
For fans of the USWNT, one name stood out immediately in this roster. She's back!
Naomi Girma is making her USWNT return, having missed all previous matches since the start of the year. Injury issues plagued her initial days at Chelsea, but she returned in time to win trophies and, more importantly for the USWNT, be ready for this camp.
The USWNT has missed Girma dearly. There are few, if any, center-backs that can go toe-to-toe with her these days, and having her back gives the U.S. arguably the world's best safety net. It also gives the backline a vital boost in leadership from a player who has become one of the faces of this national team.
"You cannot underestimate the importance of players like Naomi Girma to this team," Hayes said in a news conference Tuesday. "We've been without a lot of experienced players over the last six, seven or eight months, so getting some of that back in this camp with Naomi, we'll add not just quality, but that leadership piece. She's the vice captain of the team. She's someone who is growing into that role.
"I know she's missed it terribly and, when you make as big of a move as she did, it does take a little bit of time to settle in. It's taken her body some time to adjust, but she's in a great place. She's very, very excited to be back with us."
AdvertisementAFPThompson as Rodman replacement?
Trinity Rodman isn't here, along with here Triple Espresso mates, Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson. That pesky back injury has flared again, and the USWNT will be very cautious with her treatment and return.
"It's a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting Trin," Hayes said. "That's club, country and the NWSL, so there's good communication and support provided to her. With regard to the issue in her back, she wants to get to a place where it doesn't keep coming back, so I think these are the right steps for her.
"I've definitely seen a lot of progress this week but, unfortunately, I can't put a time frame on it because we want to ensure, again, that she's not carrying that pain any further. I think we're definitely heading in the right direction. I don't know when she will be back, but I know that Trinity is being given all of the support."
Rodman's absence creates an opportunity. Hayes tipped a surprising player as a potential answer, though: Gisele Thompson. Typically a right-back, Alyssa Thompson's younger sister has been recognized as a forward by U.S. Soccer, and Hayes says that isn't by accident.
"No Trinity Rodman available and no Yasmeen Ryan available, and Gisele is an attacking fullback, there's no question," Hayes said. "She's been playing as a right-back for her club, but I'd like to see her as a wide forward. One, because it's natural for her to go forward and, two, because I think there are other players ahead of her in the fullback position, specifically Emily Fox. It feels like a win-win with a lack of wide options in this camp."
Getty ImagesShaw, Albert and Fishel U23 bound
There were some notable absences from this squad. Jaedyn Shaw was left out, as was Korbin Albert. Mia Fishel has recently recovered from her long-term injury and, given the lack of strikers, could be a valuable player for the USWNT. None were on the roster, but all will be active within the program.
Hayes confirmed that all three will be part of the U.S. U23 roster, which will be released on Wednesday.
"I think that's the beautiful thing about the U23s, going to Germany and playing high-level opponents," she said. "This is what I felt has been really missing for a lot of players. They make that jump from Under-20 to seniors and they don't have a body of games. Yes, they could come sit on the bench for us, but it's much better to go and play in Germany and get those experiences so that these players are tracking to compete in the place we want them to come 2027."
Getty ImagesA feel-good callup
With those familiar players switching to the U23s for this camp, there was room to expand the pool and call in some newer faces. The standout newcomer is, of course, Lo’eau LaBonta, who could make some history if she does feature.
At 32, Labonta would become the oldest player to earn her first USWNT cap. An 11-year NWSL veteran, Labonta hasn't worn a national team shirt since her time with the U23s while she was at Stanford. This is a feel-good moment for her, one that is the culmination of years of hard work on the club level.
Hayes was quick to point out, though, that this isn't just about creating a special moment.
"She's deserving of the call-up," Hayes said. "She's been consistent in everything that she has done and I think, with the volume of young players – or less-experienced players – we're bringing in, I think we have to get that balance right.
"Obviously, with the U23s program and two fantastic games in Germany, it's an opportunity for us to use that for less developed players who are strong candidates for the 2027 pool. You look at someone like Lo’eau, who is a super player and someone, like I said, is deserving of that. This is the right moment to do it."
