USWNT boss Emma Hayes names her first roster as Olympics near

July 27, 2024

Emma Hayes’s first formal act as U.S. women’s national soccer team coach came Tuesday with the unveiling of a 23-player roster for a pair of Olympic tuneups against South Korea.

The squad includes five members of NWSL champion Gotham FC, five from European clubs and four from the Washington Spirit: forward Trinity Rodman, goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, defender Casey Krueger and rookie midfielder Hal Hershfelt.

Two other Spirit rookies — midfielder Croix Bethune and defender Kate Wiesner — were invited for training purposes only.

The squad will gather Monday in greater Denver ahead of friendlies against South Korea on June 1 in Commerce City, Colo., and June 4 in St. Paul, Minn. Hayes will name her 18-member Olympic team and alternates late next month.

The final pre-Olympic tests are July 13 vs. Mexico in Harrison, N.J., and July 16 vs. Costa Rica at Washington’s Audi Field.

“I expect complete commitment from everyone to absorb very quickly the things that I value as the most important so that we can compete this summer,” Hayes said in a statement. “I know they are a highly coachable group and I’m looking forward to challenging them. It’s time to go to work.”

As part of her agreement with the U.S. Soccer Federation when she accepted the job in November, Hayes would not take the helm until she completed her 12th season in charge of Chelsea. That came Saturday after a 6-0 victory at Manchester United clinched the Blues’ fifth consecutive league title and 16th trophy overall under Hayes.

Over the past six months, Hayes has collaborated with U.S. interim coach Twila Kilgore on the program’s direction and roster decisions. Kilgore will transition on to Hayes’s staff.

Hayes shook things up right away, listing longtime left back Crystal Dunn as a forward and moving midfielder Emily Sonnett to defense. Dunn is an attacker in the NWSL but has been used in the back most of her U.S. career; Sonnett shuttled between defense and midfield throughout her career before becoming a defensive midfielder in recent years.

Most of Tuesday’s call-ups are U.S. regulars, such as striker Alex Morgan, midfielder Lindsey Horan and NWSL leading scorer Sophia Smith. Only four players from the SheBelieves Cup roster last month were not recalled, most notably starting goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who is recovering from a thigh injury.

Chosen for the first time since December, Kingsbury will take Naeher’s roster slot. Casey Murphy is expected to step into the starting role.

Hershfelt, the No. 5 draft pick from Clemson, and center back Sam Staab, a former Spirit standout now with Chicago, received their first call-ups. Hershfelt has appeared in all 10 NWSL matches, starting nine and scoring twice. She never played for the youth national teams.

The other player seeking her U.S. debut is Lily Yohannes, a 16-year-old midfielder from Springfield, Va., and Dutch club Ajax. She was in camp last month but did not play against Japan or Canada.

The other Europe-based call-ups are Horan (Olympique Lyonnais), defender Emily Fox (Arsenal), midfielder Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain) and forward Catarina Macario (Chelsea).

Bethune, the No. 3 draft pick from Georgia, is enjoying a sensational rookie season, posting four goals and claiming a share of the NWSL lead in assists with Smith (six). Wiesner, the No. 7 pick from Penn State, has appeared in seven matches.

Olivia Moultrie, an 18-year-old midfielder for the Portland Thorns who has scored twice in four U.S. appearances, also was invited to train with the squad.

U.S. roster

Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage).

Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Sam Staab (Chicago Red Stars).

Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyonnais), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax).

Forwards: Crystal Dunn (Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars).

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