USWNT Welcomes Back Star Duo Rose Lavelle and Croix Bethune While Four Newcomers Earn Maiden Call-Ups

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes revealed her 25-player squad on Wednesday for the upcoming international friendlies featuring the U.S. women's national team against the Republic of Ireland and Canada.

The USWNT is scheduled to meet Ireland in two matches, beginning at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, on June 26, followed by a second encounter at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 29.

Following these two games, the USWNT will travel to Washington, D.C., for a match against Canada at Audi Field on July 2. While Hayes has selected 25 players for the squad, only 23 will be eligible to participate in each individual game.

The current USWNT squad includes several prominent returning players, four newcomers, multiple defensive choices, and various players who have been given time to rest.

USWNT Roster: June/July Friendlies

Position (Club; Caps/Goals)

Goalkeepers: Angelina Anderson (Angel City FC; 0), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 0) Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 3)

Defenders: Kerry Abello (Orlando Pride; 1/0), Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; 0/0), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 46/2), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 0/0), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit; 6/0), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 4/0), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current; 0/0), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 4/0), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 108/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 3/0)

Midfielders: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit; 3/0), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 35/2), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; 3/0), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 110/24), Sam Meza (Seattle Reign FC; 0/0), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 7/2)

Forwards: Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign FC; 80/24), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 6/1), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash; 9/0), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville; 5/1), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals; 9/4), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 19/1)

Rose Lavelle Makes Her Comeback

Rose Lavelle appears on the USWNT roster for the first time since undergoing ankle surgery in December. Her most recent USWNT appearance was in a 2-1 victory against the Netherlands on December 3, 2024.

The experienced player's inclusion in the squad will provide significant value, though she may see limited action across the three friendly matches.

The FIFA Women's World Cup champion has been gradually returning to form with NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League. Lavelle has only made two substitute appearances, totaling 28 minutes, since returning to full fitness.

It's worth noting that the second Ireland match will occur in Lavelle's home city of Cincinnati, making it likely that Hayes will ensure she receives substantial playing time at TQL Stadium.

Croix Bethune Also Returns

Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune is returning to the USWNT following an extended absence due to injury. Bethune suffered a meniscus tear in August 2024 and has only recently returned to full fitness. She has participated in seven NWSL matches (356 minutes) this season.

Although Bethune has only earned three caps for the USWNT, compared to Lavelle's 110, she brings similar dynamic energy to the squad's creative core. Bethune led the NWSL in assists during 2024 with 10.

Bethune's outstanding rookie campaign, which earned her the 'NWSL Midfielder of the Year' award, resulted in her selection for Hayes' 2024 Olympic team. In France, the USWNT captured the gold medal. Despite limited international experience, Bethune is already an elite talent seeking additional playing opportunities.

Four Players Receive Inaugural Call-ups

Hayes has already awarded 19 debuts and 27 first-time selections since becoming head coach in June 2024. Four new players are receiving their inaugural USWNT roster invitations for this series of friendlies.

The first-time selections include: Lily Reale, Izzy Rodriguez, Jordyn Bugg, and Sam Meza. These initial call-ups represent positive progress in developing stronger connections among younger players.

Bugg, 18, Meza, 23, and Reale, 21, have all participated in recent U.S. youth national team development programs. The trio traveled to Germany during the previous international window with the U23 group. Rodriguez, 26, last represented the U20s in 2018.

Players earning their second selection, but who haven't yet appeared on the field, include goalkeepers Angelina Anderson and Claudia Dickey.

In addition to expanding roster depth and fostering competition for positions, Hayes has emphasized that strengthening connections between youth development and senior squads is a fundamental aspect of her approach.

"We want to continue to improve our understanding of how we want to play and widen the player pool, and those are some of the key goals of this three-game window," Hayes said.

"On this roster, we have players with a varied amount of experience, and my priority is to deepen the exposure required for international soccer. These are three challenging matches, and as always, we want to win, but also to make sure we are ready for the next steps."

76% of the roster has fewer than 10 caps, while the average age of this roster is 24.5.

European Break (Girma Excepted)

With the European season concluded and the offseason now beginning, Hayes chose to grant her European-based players a summer break.

The players excluded from the roster include: Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Crystal Dunn (Paris St. Germain), Lindsey Heaps (Lyon), Lily Yohannes (Ajax) and Emily Fox (Arsenal).

The sole exception to this policy is Naomi Girma, who plays for Chelsea, due to the time she lost this year because of injury. With USWNT captain Heaps taking a break, Girma will also take on captaincy responsibilities for this international window.

Defensive Selections

Remarkably, Hayes has included 10 defenders in this roster. This represents a considerable increase from the typical total of seven or eight. With three friendlies scheduled, Hayes can conduct even more experiments with her defensive line.

Right-back Emily Fox and center-back Naomi Girma have been among the few assured starting positions in the defense. Veteran Crystal Dunn, who, like Fox, has been granted the summer off, will also leave an experienced left-back position vacant for this window.

During these matches, both flanks of the defense will offer numerous potential combinations. Kerry Abello, Izzy Rodriguez, Avery Patterson, and Reale could all receive opportunities at left-back. Meanwhile, Gisele Thompson and the adaptable Patterson are also positioned to start at right-back.

With this roster composition, there are numerous possibilities to investigate and beneficial competition to occur within the team.