USWNT Shakeup: Star Defender Naomi Girma Makes Comeback as Trinity Rodman Sidelined

U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes revealed her 26-player squad on Wednesday for the team's forthcoming friendlies against Italy.

The USWNT will take on Italy in two matches, beginning at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando on Nov. 28, followed by Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 1.

These represent the USWNT's final fixtures of 2025. The USWNT holds a 10-3-0 record this year and boasts a 23-3-2 record since Hayes assumed control of the team in June 2024.

"It's been a thrilling and significant year for our squad, and we've achieved numerous objectives, broadened the player pool and advanced our tactical approach, so this camp will continue that progress while also laying the foundation for 2026, which will mark our World Cup qualifying campaign," Hayes stated.

"Matches against elite European sides are incredibly valuable as they provide us with a genuine evaluation of our development as a team, so I'm confident our players will welcome that test."

USWNT roster: November/December friendlies

Position (Club; Caps/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)

Naomi Girma makes comeback

The positive development for Hayes and the USWNT is that Naomi Girma has made her return. The center-back is universally considered the finest player on the squad and also functions as the team's deputy captain under Lindsey Heaps.

Due to a series of calf problems, Naomi Girma has found it difficult to accumulate regular playing time in 2025. In the 11 months following her transfer to Chelsea for $1.1 million, the 25-year-old has featured in only six Women's Super League and three UEFA Women's Champions League matches for the Blues.

Girma has appeared in just four games for the USWNT in 2025, with her most recent appearance occurring in the 3–0 victory over Canada in July. Hayes has been testing various defensive combinations during Girma's absence, but can now examine her preferred partnerships more closely.

New additions

As usual, Hayes has selected players who have never been part of a USWNT roster. In this selection, Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz and Chicago Stars forward Jameese Joseph represent the two newcomers.

Washington Spirit defender Kate Wiesner remains uncapped, but this marks her second inclusion in a USWNT camp. The 24-year-old participated as a training player in Hayes's first USWNT camp in June 2024.

Hayes has prioritized youth development, experimentation and expanding the talent pool in her USWNT strategy for 2025, making the inclusion of more young players unsurprising. Joseph, Silkowitz and Wiesner all possess experience with the U23 U.S. youth women's national team and have recently completed outstanding seasons in the NWSL.

Hayes has awarded 25 players their inaugural cap, and it appears more could join that group in these forthcoming matches.

The most recent debutant was defender Kennedy Wesley, who earned her first cap in the previous international window, when the USWNT recorded one defeat and one victory against Portugal before demolishing New Zealand.

Notable absences

Part of what has created opportunities for young players, such as Joseph, Silkowitz and Wiesner, is the growing number of injuries affecting USWNT stars.

Trinity Rodman is again missing from the squad as she recovers from a knee sprain sustained in October. Rodman has not featured for the USWNT since April but was included in the October roster before suffering her latest injury.

Rodman appeared for limited minutes in the Washington Spirit's NWSL semifinal victory over the Portland Thorns, and remains available for Saturday's NWSL Championship final, but is not considered fully fit.

Contributing to Hayes's notable absentees is first-choice goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The Manchester United shot-stopper has sustained a fracture in her eye socket, so Claudia Dickey or Mandy McGlynn will likely assume the starting position.

Jaelin Howell, returning after three years

Another name worth monitoring is Jaelin Howell. The NJ/NY Gotham FC midfielder returns to the USWNT squad for the first time under Hayes, having been absent since 2022 for a total of 37 months.

Former USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski awarded Howell her debut in November 2020. She accumulated five caps and netted one goal before losing her position at the conclusion of '22.

Howell has enjoyed an exceptional 2025 season with Gotham, disrupting opposition play in midfield, offering defensive protection and attacking the penalty area as a physical presence. Hayes evidently recognizes an opportunity for Howell to showcase her aggressive style in her midfield against Italy.

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