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Jeff Kassouf
Defender Naomi Girma is set to return to the United States women’s national team for the first time in nearly five months, participating in two upcoming friendly matches against Italy.
On Wednesday, USWNT coach Emma Hayes announced her 26-player roster, which features two new call-ups along with several returning players. Notably missing is forward Trinity Rodman. She just made a brief return to the field on Saturday for the Washington Spirit after an MCL sprain in her right knee sustained in October.
“Trinity and I have been in weekly discussions about her recovery,” Hayes explained regarding Rodman. “Although she was able to play a few minutes recently, she’s still in the process of getting back. We mutually agreed that with such an important camp and the need for considerable game time, it was not the right time for her to return.
“Trin is eager to play for the national team again, and we hope that will happen in the New Year, but it’s simply too soon. As for this weekend, I suggest checking with Washington about her plans. However, when it comes to the games against Italy, we felt it was best for her not to participate at this time.”
Also absent from the roster is goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, the likely new starter in goal, who recently sustained a fractured eye socket while playing for Manchester United. She has earned four caps for the USWNT since her debut in a 2-0 victory against Brazil on April 5.
The USWNT will face Italy on Nov. 28 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, followed by a rematch on Dec. 1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Since joining English champions Chelsea as women’s soccer’s first $1 million transfer in January, Girma has battled multiple calf injuries. She missed all spring international matches, returned in June, but suffered another calf issue in late summer. She has recently resumed play with Chelsea.
Girma played a crucial role in the USWNT’s gold medal success at the 2024 Olympics, leading Hayes to praise her as “the best defender I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m thrilled she’s back. I’ve come to realize just how vital her presence is, both in her performance on the pitch and her quiet leadership off the field. She consistently reached out to me, saying, ‘I’m fit, I’m ready to come back,'” Hayes shared. “Honestly, I have no idea why she’d think we wouldn’t include her if she’s healthy, but trust me, Naomi will be the first one in camp. She’s incredibly eager to reunite with the team, and we’re looking forward to having her back. We’ve definitely missed her leadership and experience at this level.”
Midfielder Croix Bethune, who is fit and starting for the Spirit during their playoff campaign, also makes her return to the USWNT for the first time since July.
Joining the senior USWNT for the first time during this training camp and matches against Italy are goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz and forward Jameese Joseph.
Throughout the year, Hayes has experimented with various players while preparing for the 2027 World Cup, having allotted caps to 25 players across 28 matches as head coach.
These experiments have led to mixed results; the U.S. faced defeats against Japan and Brazil earlier in the year and a surprising recent loss to Portugal. This year marks the first instance where the USWNT has lost four games in a calendar year.
“This year has been both exciting and significant for our team, achieving numerous objectives, expanding our player pool, and improving our game model. This camp will not only be a continuation of that progress but also lay the foundation for 2026, which will be our World Cup qualifying year,” Hayes commented. “Competing against top European teams is invaluable, providing us with a clear assessment of our growth as a team, and I am confident our players will rise to this challenge.”
Midfielder Jaelin Howell, the second overall pick in the 2022 NWSL draft, also returns to the USWNT following a standout season with Gotham FC, who are vying for the 2025 NWSL championship against the Spirit on Saturday. Howell last represented the USWNT on April 9, 2022, when she scored her debut goal against Uzbekistan.
Also returning to the USWNT is defender Kate Wiesner, who excelled at fullback for the Spirit in their recent 2-0 victory over the Portland Thorns during the NWSL semifinals. Wiesner has yet to make her international debut, having joined the team as a training player in June 2024.
These matches against Italy will conclude the calendar year for the USWNT before they regroup for their annual January camp.
Hayes has urged her players to remain vigilant against Italy.
“Italy is among the elite teams in Europe, comparable to England and Spain. This will be a formidable challenge for us, particularly in terms of tactical preparation,” she stated.
Earlier reports indicated that the USWNT intended to face another top European team in Seattle during a closed-roof match at the T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners. However, the final standings of the UEFA Nations League prompted a shift to the upcoming Italy matches in Florida.
USWNT roster by position (club; caps/goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 4), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 4), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC; 0)
DEFENDERS (10): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; 4/0), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 69/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 48/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 8/1), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 4/0), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current; 1/1), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 6/0), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 112/2), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave; 1/0), Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit; 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit; 4/0), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 41/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 167/38), Jaelin Howell (Gotham FC; 5/1), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; 9/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 115/26), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 11/1)
FORWARDS (6): Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars; 0/0), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG; 27/13), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 10/4), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville; 11/4), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 29/8), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 24/3)