U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes has named a 26-player roster for two friendlies against world champion Spain.
The 2027 World Cup is growing ever closer, with Spain set to defend its title and the USWNT looking for redemption after a shocking round-of-16 exit in 2023.
Hayes has named a roster featuring a mix of mainstays and newcomers, with some NWSL standouts getting their first call-ups after excellent club seasons.
The USWNT will face Spain on Oct. 10 at Audi Field in Washington D.C., and will then head north for a rematch at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania on Oct. 13.
Here are three takeaways from the USWNT's October roster.
The return of Ashley Sanchez
It's been nearly two years since Ashley Sanchez played for the USWNT, but her form with the North
Carolina Courage was too good to ignore.
Sanchez has scored 20 goals this season, tying the NWSL's all-time record for a single campaign. It's been an eye-opening breakout for a player whose previous career high in goals was five.
The 27-year-old's resurgence comes at a perfect time as the World Cup closes in. Sanchez will be hoping for a chance to banish her demons from 2023, when she was called into the World Cup roster but didn't play a single minute in Australia and New Zealand.
The USWNT has a ridiculous amount of depth on the front line, but Sanchez has a big chance to prove herself in training and in the Spain matches.
NWSL newcomers highlight roster
Hayes has been focused on expanding her player pool since the 2024 Olympics but as the World Cup nears, she is still handing opportunities to new players rather than closing ranks.
The latest example comes in the form of three first-time call-ups on this roster: Evelyn Shores, Trinity Byars and Pietra Tordin.
Shores has been a two-way standout at left back for Angel City, but is listed as a midfielder on this roster. It will be interesting to see where Hayes sees the 21-year-old fitting in.
Tordin and Byars, two forwards with extensive U.S. youth international experience, have both taken the leap this season with the Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave, respectively.
Byars has scored 10 goals while providing excellent No. 9 play, while Tordin profiles as more of a playmaking forward. The 22-year-old has tallied seven goals and nine assists, linking up well with her now-international teammate Sophia Wilson.
Hayes brings back struggling mainstays
It would be hard to fathom a USWNT roster without Naomi Girma or Mallory Swanson, but that had seemed at least somewhat possible in recent weeks.
Both players have endured difficult stretches at the club level, but they have still been called into this roster. It's not surprising to see them with the USWNT, but they'll both have more to prove than usual.
Swanson has just two goals in 11 appearances for the Chicago Stars this season, and recently returned from a month out with injury. The Stars are far and away the worst team in the NWSL, so it's hard to know how much Swanson's struggles are a product of her surroundings.
It's safe to say Girma's move to Chelsea has been a disappointment so far, as the central defender has struggled through various injuries. This season, the 26-year-old has yet to play a single minute for the Blues. Though she has dealt with a calf injury, right now Girma is available and simply isn't being selected.
USWNT roster vs Spain (club; caps/goals)
Goalkeepers (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 11), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC; 0), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 7)
Defenders (8): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 70/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 78/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 54/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 14/1), Lilly Reale (Boston Legacy FC; 9/0), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit; 12/0), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 11/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 7/1)
Midfielders (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City FC, ENG; 46/5), Lindsey Heaps (Denver Summit FC; 178/40), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 20/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 122/29), Evelyn Shores (Angel City FC; 0/0), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Stars; 103/38), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 20/1)
Forwards (8): Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave FC; 0/0), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 14/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 57/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 21/6), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage; 28/3), Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 32/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 63/25)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USWNT roster vs. Spain: Takeaways as Sanchez return highlights Hayes' squad
