The United States Women’s National Team has a big international window coming up, with two friendlies set against defending Women’s World Cup champions and #1 ranked Spain. Today, U.S. Soccer announced the 26-player roster that will compete in those friendlies.
“While we are very much looking forward to playing the World Cup champions, I keep coming back to the journey that we are all on together,” USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said in a statement. “This camp will be about reestablishing connections
after a long break, looking at a few players who haven’t been with us this cycle, and putting on the best performances we can in front of packed stadiums. Of course, our dual focus will also be on our final preparations for the World Cup qualifying tournament.”
The matches against Spain are the first for the team since they played twice in Brazil in June. It’s the final set of matches before the team competes in the Concacaf W Championship in Texas beginning on November 27th. That tournament serves as Women’s World Cup qualifying, with the USWNT needing a win against El Salvador in the quarterfinals to secure a spot in the field of 32 next summer. The tournament also will see teams qualify for the 2028 Olympics. As hosts, the USWNT receive an automatic bid to that tournament less than 2 years from now.
The 26-player roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)
DEFENDERS (8): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Lilly Reale (Boston Legacy), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City), Lindsey Heaps (Denver Summit), Claire Hutton (Bay FC), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Evelyn Shores (Angel City FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Stars), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes)
FORWARDS (8): Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage), Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns)
Marking her return to the national team is Ashley Sanchez, who last appeared for the USWNT in a send-off friendly in July 2023 against Wales. Sanchez made the 2023 Women’s World Cup roster, but did not see any field action during that tournament. Since then, she had been left off the national team, but after a season in which she has tied Temwa Chawinga’s record for goals in a season (20) with four matches remaining, her play has brought her back into the fold.
Naomi Girma is also back in camp after battling injury for much of the calendar year. Emma Hayes called in four uncapped players after a few rosters that didn’t feature anyone uncapped: goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz, midfielder Evelyn Shores, and forwards Pietra Tordin and Trinity Byars.
The USWNT will take on Spain on October 10th at Audi Field in Washington, DC in a battle of the top two ranked teams in the world. They then move to Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania for the second match on October 13th.
