Naomi Girma Returns to the US Women’s National Team
Defender Naomi Girma is back in the United States women’s national team (USWNT) after nearly five months of absence. Her return is for the upcoming friendly matches against Italy. Coach Emma Hayes announced the 26-player roster on Wednesday, including two first-time call-ups and several returning players. However, forward Trinity Rodman was not included, as she recently returned to play with the Washington Spirit after a medial collateral ligament injury suffered in October. Also noteworthy is the absence of goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who suffered a fractured eye socket while playing for Manchester United. Tullis-Joyce has had four appearances with the USWNT since her debut on April 5th. The United States will face Italy on November 28 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and on December 1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Girma, who has dealt with calf injuries since joining Chelsea in January, was key in the USWNT’s defense on their way to the Olympic gold medal in 2024. Hayes has praised Girma as “the best defender I have ever seen.” Midfielder Croix Bethune, who is also returning after recovering and playing with the Spirit in the playoffs, also joins the USWNT for the first time since July. Goalkeepers Jordan Silkowitz and forward Jameese Joseph join the senior team for the first time for the training camp and matches against Italy. Hayes has been testing players throughout the year in preparation for the 2027 World Cup, using 25 players in 28 matches as a coach. Experimentation has affected some results, with losses to Japan and Brazil earlier in the year, and a recent loss to Portugal. The USWNT has never lost four matches in the same year.
Midfielder Jaelin Howell also returns to the USWNT after a standout season with Gotham FC, who will compete for the 2025 NWSL championship. Howell last played with the USWNT on April 9, 2022. Defender Kate Wiesner, who had an outstanding performance with the Spirit, also returns to the team. Wiesner has not yet debuted with the USWNT, although she joined the team as a training player in June 2024. The two matches against Italy are the last of the year before the USWNT meets for its annual January camp. The USWNT roster by position (club; appearances/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)“It has been an exciting and important year for our group, and we have achieved many goals, expanded the group of players and advanced in our game model, so this camp will be an extension of that, but it will also lay the foundations for 2026, which will be our year of qualification for the World Cup,” said Hayes. “The matches against top European teams are very valuable as they give us an honest assessment of where we are in our growth as a team, so I know that our players will accept that challenge.”
