Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey are back in the United States women’s national team after the two Women’s Super League standouts were included in Emma Hayes’ squad for October friendlies with reigning world champions Spain.
Ashley Sanchez, the NWSL’s leading scorer, has also been recalled following an outstanding season with the North Carolina Courage. Sanchez has established a league record for goals scored by an American player in a single campaign, reaching 20 in 26 appearances. One more goal would move her beyond Temwa Chawinga’s overall scoring record. The attacking midfielder last represented the national team in an October 2024 friendly against Argentina, during the early stages of Hayes’ tenure.
Hayes has largely relied on familiar members of her core group for the 26-player roster while also rewarding four uncapped players for their impressive NWSL campaigns.
“We are excited to face the world champions, but I continue to think about the journey we are taking together,” Hayes said. “This camp gives us an opportunity to rebuild connections after an extended break, assess several players who have not joined us during this cycle, and deliver our strongest possible performances in front of full stadiums.”
Ashley Sanchez earns a recall
Sanchez’s return has generated considerable discussion around the NWSL as the playmaker enjoys the finest season of her career. Although she was part of the 2023 Women’s World Cup squad, she did not play during the tournament and has since remained on the fringes, with Hayes favoring alternatives such as Rose Lavelle, Jaedyn Shaw and Croix Bethune.
The decision to bring Sanchez back may partly account for Shaw’s omission, despite Shaw scoring twice over the weekend to reach nine goals for Gotham this season. Shaw has regularly featured in the national-team program since the previous World Cup, collecting 17 appearances during the experimental 2024 campaign and another 16 since the beginning of 2025.
The main question for this international window and those that follow is whether Sanchez can reproduce her exceptional North Carolina form with the national team. The Courage’s system is designed around her abilities, enabling her to operate as both the principal creator and the leading goal threat. Hayes already has several players capable of handling those duties. While additional match-winning quality in attack is always valuable, Sanchez and the coaching staff must determine how best to use her substantial talent.
Swanson rejoins the squad
Mallory Swanson is another notable selection. She attended the team’s June camp but did not play in either of the fiercely contested friendlies against Brazil. Her latest international appearance came in the 2024 Olympic final, when her goal secured the gold medal. Swanson has featured in only one of the Chicago Stars’ past five matches while recovering from injury and returning after the birth of her daughter late last year. She nevertheless retains Hayes’ confidence after starring at the Olympics alongside fellow “Triple Espresso” attackers Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson, who have also been chosen for the October games.
Girma selected despite recent injury
Each of the eight selected defenders has made at least seven appearances for the national team, including younger players Kennedy Wesley, Gisele Thompson and Lilly Reale. Girma’s return should improve the side’s work in the defensive third and provide a crucial outlet during possession, as she frequently records more touches than any teammate when available. Her match sharpness may be limited, however, because an injury has kept her out of Chelsea’s lineup since early September.
Emily Fox, Tierna Davidson, Tara Rudd and Avery Patterson complete the defensive group.
Familiar options in midfield
Coffey should provide comparable stability at the base of midfield, giving Hayes access to her most dependable choices for this window. Lindsey Heaps enters camp with 178 international appearances, although her availability has varied since she joined expansion club Denver Summit this summer. Claire Hutton and Lily Yohannes have developed into regular contributors since the Olympics, while Rose Lavelle continues to perform strongly for Gotham. The roster notably categorizes Swanson as a midfielder and Sanchez as a forward.
Rodman, Swanson and Wilson will again attract much of the attention in attack, while Alyssa Thompson will seek to strengthen her claim to the starting role on the left wing. The Los Angeles native scored the decisive goal against Arsenal over the weekend and fits well alongside Wilson and Rodman. She advances the ball confidently and is equally willing to draw defenders away to create room for teammates or fashion shooting opportunities for herself. Emma Sears and Michelle Cooper provide capable alternatives on the right.
The first-time selections
Jordan Silkowitz could make her senior international debut after an excellent season. The Bay FC goalkeeper is second in the NWSL with 10.4 goals prevented, a statistic comparing goals conceded with the post-shot expected-goals total she has faced. She also leads the league’s goalkeepers in minutes played without mishandling a cross. Silkowitz will compete for playing time with two of Hayes’ established goalkeeping choices, Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Seattle Reign’s Claudia Dickey.
Evelyn Shores is the only uncapped addition among the seven midfielders, although she usually plays at left back for Angel City. The 21-year-old creates opportunities through lofted crosses and corner kicks, while offering Hayes another much-needed option on the left side.
Two forwards may also make their debuts during this window. Pietra Tordin has impressed throughout her second season with the Portland Thorns, producing seven goals and nine assists across 2,086 minutes. Her understanding with Wilson has developed rapidly, and Tordin has benefited from the defensive attention her teammate attracts. Trinity Byars is also awaiting her first senior appearance after the 23-year-old scored 10 times in slightly more than 1,000 minutes for San Diego.
The United States will meet Spain in Washington DC on 10 October before the teams contest another friendly in Philadelphia on 13 October.
Complete USWNT squad
Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)
Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Lilly Reale (Boston Legacy), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit), Gisele Thompson (Angel City), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave)
Midfielders: Sam Coffey (Manchester City), Lindsey Heaps (Denver Summit), Claire Hutton (Bay FC), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Evelyn Shores (Angel City), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Stars), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes)
Forwards: Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage), Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns)
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