USWNT's latest roster features new players while Europe-based stars take a break
With U.S. coach Emma Hayes giving many of her Europe-based players a break, there were several new faces on the national team Wednesday for a trio of upcoming matches against Ireland and Canada.
Lindsey Heaps, Catarina Macario and Emily Fox were among the players given time off after the European season. One exception was defender Naomi Girma, who is working her way back from a calf injury.
The United States plays Ireland on June 26 in Commerce City, Colorado, and again on June 29 in Cincinnati. The team plays Canada on July 2 in Washington, D.C.
The roster includes four players who have been called up to the national team for the first time: defenders Jordyn Bugg, Lilly Reale and Izzy Rodriguez, and midfielder Sam Meza. Six players on the 25-player roster have not yet appeared in a game for the senior national team.
Hayes, who took over as national team coach last year, has been looking at new players as she prepares the team for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. She has given 27 players their first national team call-ups.
'We want to continue to improve our understanding of how we want to play and widen the player pool, and those are some of the key goals of this three-game window,' Hayes said in a statement Wednesday. 'On this roster, we have players with a varied amount of experience, and my priority is to deepen the exposures required for international soccer. These are three challenging matches and as always, we want to win, but also to make sure we are ready for the next steps.'
One veteran player who is on the roster is midfielder Rose Lavelle, who hasn't played for the national team in more than six months after having ankle surgery. Lavelle recently returned to play for her club team, Gotham FC, in the National Women's Soccer League.
U.S. roster:
Goalkeepers: Angelina Anderson (Angel City), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign) Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)
Defenders: Kerry Abello (Orlando Pride), Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign), Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City)
Midfielders: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Sam Meza (Seattle Reign), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns)
Forwards: Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City)
___
AP soccer:
https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Italy Star Insists Inter Milan ‘Not On Vacation' At Club World Cup Following Dramatic 2-1 Win Vs Urawa Red Diamonds
Italy Star Insists Inter Milan 'Not On Vacation' At Club World Cup Following Dramatic 2-1 Win Vs Urawa Red Diamonds Alessandro Bastoni says that Inter Milan are 'not on vacation' at the Club World Cup following their 2-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds. The 26-year-old spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, after the match. Advertisement Inter Milan had to do it the hard way against Urawa Red Diamonds. The Nerazzurri had nearly all of the possession of the ball. However, they conceded early on, with Ryoma Watanabe scoring after they were caught out completely on the break within the first fifteen minutes. From then on, the pattern was clear. Urawa Reds dug in and defended their penalty area, whilst Inter tried to break them down. That proved to be a very difficult task. The Japanese team defended with composure, physicality, and organization. They didn't allow Inter any time or space to create telling chances. In the end, it was Inter captain Lautaro Martinez who finally found the back of the net. And it was with Inter's first shot on target of the match. Advertisement The Argentine scored with an acrobatic overhead kick from a corner. And then, it proved to be substitute Valentin Carboni who was decisive. The 20-year-old scored in stoppage time to break Urawa hearts and give Inter a vital first win at the Club World Cup. Alessandro Bastoni: 'Inter Not On Vacation' At Club World Cup MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 23: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale looks on during the warm up prior to the coppa Italia Semi Final match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) After the match, Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni commented that 'we've gotten a big weight off our shoulders.' 'We'd gone a while without a win,' continued the Italian international. 'And we wanted to have the feeling of three points again.' 'We were playing the way we had against Monterrey. Then we conceded a goal.' Advertisement 'I'm very proud of this team's spirit,' added the Italian international. 'We'll be freer mentally. We've always been focused in this competition.' Then, Bastoni admitted that it is 'inevitable' for Inter to feel a bit of fatigue. 'It's been an exhausting season,' the Italian international commented. 'But we didn't come here to be on vacation. We want to take the Inter brand forward, and we want to do well in this competition.' Bastoni then observed that 'the coach has only been here for a short amount of time.' 'He'll have to work at the start of next season. Now, obviously there's no time for him to introduce new ideas.' Advertisement 'He came into the dressing room with a bang,' Bastoni said of new Inter coach Cristian Chivu. 'He's working a lot on our mentality.' Bastoni added that Chivu is 'a super person.' 'We're happy about that,' added the 26-year-old.
New York Times
41 minutes ago
- New York Times
Santi Cazorla helps Real Oviedo earn promotion to La Liga for first time in 24 years with play-off victory
Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has helped Real Oviedo earn promotion to La Liga for the first time in 24 years after securing a 3-2 aggregate victory over Mirandes in the Segunda promotion play-off final. Cazorla, 40, returned to his boyhood club in the summer of 2023, having been one of several former players who bought shares in the club in 2012 when Oviedo faced financial difficulties. Advertisement The former Spain international came off the bench to score a free-kick with his weaker foot in the semi-final victory over Almeria on June 11. That set up a two-legged play-off final against Mirandes. Having lost the first leg of the play-off final 1-0 on June 15, Cazorla was on the scoresheet in the second leg as Oviedo went on to win 3-1 on Saturday. The memorable victory, a year after Oviedo lost in the play-off final in 2024, will see Oviedo play in the Spanish top flight for the first time in over two decades. Cazorla came through Oviedo's youth academy before leaving in 2003 due to the club's financial troubles. He went on to play for clubs including Villarreal, Malaga, Arsenal, Al-Sadd in Qatar, before returning to Oviedo in 2023. He told The Athletic in 2025 that Oviedo made him a hefty salary offer but he asked for the minimum contract allowed under La Liga rules (€90,000 a year). Ten per cent of all proceeds from jerseys bearing his name also goes to help fund the club's youth system. 'Thankfully, I've had a successful career, so the last thing I wanted was to be a weight on my club,' Cazorla said. 'I'm delighted with these conditions — I'd play for free, but the regulations must be respected. 'Returning here to Oviedo, where I dreamed of playing as a kid, was in my mind for a long time. Now I'm back, trying to help where I can.' Oviedo almost went bust in 2012 before an international fundraising campaign raised the €2million (£1.7m/$2.1m) required to save it. Cazorla was among those to contribute, as were former Oviedo youth team players Juan Mata and Michu. Cazorla also made 81 appearances for Spain, winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Newsweek
41 minutes ago
- Newsweek
How to Watch Curacao vs Canada: Live Stream CONCACAF Gold Cup, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The path to the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals could be cleared for Canada this weekend; all they have to do is handle business against Curacao on Saturday at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. Jayden Nelson #25 of Canada warms up prior to the Group Stage - Group B match between Curaçao and Canada as part of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Shell Energy Stadium on June 21,... Jayden Nelson #25 of Canada warms up prior to the Group Stage - Group B match between Curaçao and Canada as part of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Shell Energy Stadium on June 21, 2025 in Houston, Texas. More Photo byHow to Watch Curacao vs Canada Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM ET TV Channel: FOX Sports 1 Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE) After steamrolling Honduras in their tournament opener with a commanding 6-0 win, the Canadians find themselves comfortably perched at the top of Group B, two points ahead of "La Pantera Azul," who settled for a 0-0 draw with El Salvador. Canada's possible lineup is loaded with firepower and finesse. Jonathan David leads the front line, fresh off yet another stellar season in Europe, while Ali Ahmed, Ismaël Koné, and Tajon Buchanan provide the midfield creativity and pace that can slice through defenses. But don't overlook Curacao. This is a team with European experience and a point to prove. Eloy Room will be counted on between the sticks, and the Bacuna brothers, Leandro and Juninho, bring both muscle and flair to the midfield. Up front, Kastaneer will need to find space and test the Canadian backline early. Live stream every CONCACAF Gold Cup match for free with Fubo: Start your subscription now! Gold Cup Potential Lineups Canada: St. Clair; Sigur, Miller, Waterman, Laryea; Buchanan, Koné, Choinière, Ahmed; Oluwaseyi, J. David Curacao: Room; Gaari, Martina, van Ejima, Floranus; Comenencia, L. Bacuna; Margaritha, J. Bacuna, Gorre; Kastaneer Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
