The U.S. women’s national soccer team is set to showcase a mix of veteran talent and fresh faces as they prepare for a series of matches against Ireland and Canada. With coach Emma Hayes opting to give many Europe-based players a break, notable absences include Lindsey Heaps, Catarina Macario, and Emily Fox, while defender Naomi Girma aims to return from a calf injury.
The first match against Ireland is scheduled for June 26 in Commerce City, Colorado, followed by a rematch on June 29 in Cincinnati. The team will also face Canada on July 2 in Washington, D.C.
Among the 25-player roster are four athletes receiving their first national team call-ups: defenders Jordyn Bugg, Lilly Reale, and Izzy Rodriguez, alongside midfielder Sam Meza. Six players in total have yet to make their senior team debuts.
Hayes, who became the national team coach last year, emphasizes the importance of broadening the roster as the U.S. gears up for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. “We want to continue to improve our understanding of how we want to play and widen the player pool. These are three challenging matches and as always, we want to win, but also to ensure we are ready for the next steps,” she stated.
A key player returning to the roster is midfielder Rose Lavelle, who is back after recovering from ankle surgery and has recently resumed playing for her club, Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.
With a strategic focus on developing new talent and gaining international experience, this series of matches presents an exciting opportunity for the U.S. women’s national team to build depth ahead of future competitions.