USWNT roster for June friendlies: Emma Hayes picks first squad as Rose Lavelle, Naomi Girma return from injury

Emma Hayes named her first official roster for the United States women’s national team after being named the new coach in December.

The 23-man roster will face South Korea in two friendlies beginning June 1 in Commerce City, Colorado, June 1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, and ending in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 4 at Allianz Field. The two-game series will be the first with Hayes training on the sidelines and the first of four matches with the national team before the Olympic farewell games in July.

The June squad features 19 players from the 2024 SheBelives Cup in April and welcomes the return of Rose Lavelle after a brief period out with a leg injury. Lavelle is two games away from reaching 100 career appearances and will become the 43rd player to reach the milestone if she competes in the two friendlies in June. Colorado natives Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Lindsey Horan will get a chance to play in their home state.

Horan is one of five USWNT players who played their club season in Europe, along with Catarina Macario, Emily Fox, Korbin Albert and 16-year-old Lili Yohannes.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started,” Hayes said. “Preparations are well underway and I can’t wait to get into camp. We know it’s a short turnaround and we have a lot of work to do, but I’m fully focused on ensuring the performances are at the levels needed to compete. [former interim head coach and now assistant coach] Twila [Kilgore] has been implemented over the last six months.

“I expect everyone’s total commitment to very quickly absorb the things that I consider most important so that we can compete this summer. I know they are a highly coachable group and I look forward to challenging them. to work. I can’t wait to meet the fans and it’s really time to support the team as we get closer to putting together an Olympic roster.”

Missing from the lineup are goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who suffered a thigh injury on May 12 during an NWSL club game, and defender Abby Dahlkemper. Other NWSL players who suffered injuries during the NWSL regular season but were named to June training camp are Lavelle, Alex Morgan, Tierna Davidson, Naomi Girma and Jaedyn Shaw.

Two players were called up to the senior national team for the first time, with Chicago Red Stars central defender Sam Staab and Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt. Hayes also included three training players, midfielders Olivia Moultrie, Croix Bethune and defender Kate Wiesner. The trio will not be in the match day squad, but will train with the team.

Check out the full lineup for June’s friendlies:

USWNT Lineup

Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage)

Defenders (7): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/ NY Gotham FC), Sam Staab (Chicago Red Stars)

Midfielders (7): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax, NED)

Forwards (6): Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC ). ), Mallory Swanson (Red Stars of Chicago)