It's been 123 days since the U.S. Women's National Team last played, according to The Athletic. The team's return is against reigning World Cup champion Spain. On September 29, Emma Hayes named her 26-player roster for two friendlies that serve as the last real measuring stick before World Cup qualifying at the end of the year.
When and where
| Date | Matchup | Venue | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 10 | USA vs. Spain | Audi Field, Washington, D.C. | 2:30 PM | TBS · HBO Max · Telemundo · Peacock |
| Tue, Oct 13 | USA vs. Spain | Subaru Park, Chester, Pa. | TBA | TBA |
Match details via U.S. Soccer. The D.C. match also includes a pregame retirement celebration for USWNT great Crystal Dunn.
The headline: Ashley Sanchez is back
The North Carolina Courage midfielder has scored 20 NWSL goals this season, tying the league's single-season record, and she's earned her first USWNT call-up since October 2024. U.S. Soccer notes that the roster includes the NWSL's top four American goal scorers: Sanchez, Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman and first-timer Trinity Byars. That's a lot of in-form attacking talent to throw at the best team in the world.
Three first-timers
Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave), Evelyn Shores (Angel City) and Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns) all get their first senior call-ups, and all three come in with extensive youth national team experience. Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz is also still uncapped. Hayes framed the camp around development beyond the 2027 World Cup. She told reporters that Jaedyn Shaw and Ally Sentnor will instead get guaranteed minutes with the U-23s this window, according to All For XI.
The big question: who plays center back?
Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey both return after missing June's camp through injury. There's a catch, though. All For XI reports that Hayes said Girma picked up a knock on roster day that could mean she's replaced. Gotham's Emily Sonnett is already out for the season with an ACL injury, so Tierna Davidson may need a new partner. The Athletic flagged San Diego's Kennedy Wesley and Washington's Tara Rudd as players who could take their chance, and both made the squad.
The full roster
Goalkeepers (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)
Defenders (8): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Lilly Reale (Boston Legacy FC), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC)
Midfielders (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City), Lindsey Heaps (Denver Summit FC), 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 FC), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage), Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns FC), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC)
Roster via All For XI and U.S. Soccer.
Why these two games matter
Spain keeps winning. After the women's World Cup in 2023 and the men's title this summer, Spain's U-20 women beat North Korea on penalties this week to win their own world title, The Athletic notes. Hayes regularly points to Spain as the model for player development. Two games in four days against that team will show where the U.S. really stands.
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