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The Guardian
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
The USWNT's domestic-heavy roster can benefit their World Cup yearning
While national teams in Europe, Africa and South America prepare for the biggest tournaments in their region, the US women's national team convene this month for three friendlies with a unique approach. For back-to-back tests against Republic of Ireland followed by a meeting with Canada, nearly all of their Europe-based players are on vacation. 'We've left out the vast majority of players that are playing in Europe bar one, and that's Naomi Girma,' said the head coach, Emma Hayes. 'The rest of those players have been playing non-stop [for the] last two years without a summer break and this is the only opportunity they will get for a much-needed break. It also gives us the chance to play players who are playing domestically.' The USWNT have their eye on winning the 2027 World Cup. Hayes' decision to prepare for that by deferring her Europe-based players to the next window, which is not until the autumn, is a calculated call and one that could bolster the team's chances long-term. In a sport rife with injury amid oversaturated calendars – in addition to the often-overlooked impact of mental health – Hayes is prioritising rest for the likes of Arsenal's Emily Fox, Chelsea's Catarina Macario, OL Lyonnes's Lindsey Horan and Manchester United's Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The decision is in character with Hayes' approach over the past year as she carefully plans for the individual development and health of each player via the process of periodisation and, in the process, vets a wider playing pool. The timing also provides sharp relief to the tumultuous state of the US men's squad which, too, is lacking Europe-based talent, though in its case due to injuries, uncertain club situations, continued club duty or, in the case of Christian Pulisic, a personal and controversial request for a break. Hayes' strategy is an attempt to pre-empt the exact same situation for the women's team's two years out from their most important event. Hayes's 25-woman squad contains six uncapped players and four entirely new names. There are 10 defenders in the squad, including Girma, and US fans can expect various permutations in the backline. There will certainly be experimentation at full-back, with Kansas City's Izzy Rodriquez in line for a start at left-back on her first call-up to the squad and Houston's Avery Patterson, who has four caps, likely to feature at right-back in the absence of Fox. As could Gisele Thompson, who returns to camp listed as a full-back having been listed as a forward in the previous camp. 'Gisele may very well move fluidly between those positions,' Hayes noted. 'I think Gisele's best strength is as a wing-back so sometimes it's adept for her to be the full-back in the team and sometimes it's adept for her to be the winger'. As with multiple players in this camp, such as the 18-year-old Seattle centre-back Jordyn Bugg, Thompson might be moved to the youth team as Hayes also uses this time to develop players for the 2028 Olympics and 2031 World Cup. In midfield, two exceptionally talented Olympians in Rose Lavelle and Croix Bethune also return from injury. Lavelle is among the most experienced players in the squad with 110 caps and Hayes outlined how much of a miss she has been, saying of the 30-year-old: 'She's supremely gifted as a football player and someone who [is still] maturing as a top-level footballer. In the last 12 months she's started to add new dimensions in between the lines.' On Croix Bethune, the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) rookie of the year, Hayes said: 'There is still work to do for Croix to reach the next level. We want to sit down with her and work through all the things we're looking for at the top level so that she can keep adding those things into a game for the Washington Spirit. But she's exceptionally gifted, particularly with a final pass, her weight of pass. She can execute.' Starting this week in Colorado, a mix of players returning from injury, emerging into their prime or making their first appearance for the national team will contend for a role in the squad that competes at the World Cup. The circumstances are unique and it is up to them to make the most of that. Yes, that is a rumour [that has been going around]. But there is a reason why we have performance coaches and medical staff. They are in constant communication with each other and I think we're doing a good job so far' – Switzerland coach Pia Sundhage responds to reports that her players have been pushed too hard during the pre-Euros camp. Euro 2025 prep under way: European national teams are tuning up for the upcoming European Championship. France, who've yet to win a major international tournament despite a consistently deep pool of talent, beat Belgium 5-0 on Friday, with the Manchester United forward Melvine Malard scoring a hat-trick. Brazil eye Copa América Femenina defence: Brazil play France this Friday in an interesting pre-Copa América Femenina friendly for the eight-times champions. It is also a re-run of a quarter-final tie from last year's Olympics, which Brazil won 1-0 thanks to Gabi Portilho's strike on 82 minutes. Champions League draw news: Manchester United will face PSV Eindhoven in the semi-final of their Champions League second-round qualifying group on 27 August, as Marc Skinner's team begin only their second ever European campaign. PSV were runners-up in the Eredivisie last term. The winners of that one-legged tie will then meet either Hammarby IF of Sweden or FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv of Ukraine on 30 August in that group's final, for a place in the third round of qualifying, where a further two-legged, knockout tie stands between these teams and a place in the new league phase of the competition, where teams such as holders Arsenal will be waiting. The Scottish champions Hibernian, who were unseeded for Tuesday's qualifying draw, face a tricky-looking contest against Danish champions Fortuna Hjørring in their semi-final, having been separated from clubs such as Manchester United and entered into a qualifying pathway specifically for domestic league winners. The venues of all of these fixtures remain to be decided. United assistant to manage Bristol City: Bristol City are to appoint the Manchester United assistant Charlotte Healy as their new head coach. According to multiple sources, the WSL 2 club have agreed terms with Healy, who has also worked for the Football Association and Liverpool prior to joining United six years ago, initially at the girls academy. She has worked with Skinner's first-team for three years. Healys appointment ends City's month-long search for a new head coach following Steve Kirby's exit in mid-May. The South Korean veteran Ji So-yun only required six minutes to score with a smartly taken finish in Seattle's 4-1 NWSL win against Utah Royals on Saturday. The former Chelsea midfielder also provided two assists in the victory at America First Field. Euro 2025 guides? Euro 2025 guides! We are a week out from the tournament which means everything you need to know about each team will be found here at the Guardian. Up first: Finland, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Meanwhile debutants Wales are undaunted by their formidable group and are heading to Euro 2025 ready to leave a legacy, writed Louise Taylor. Hannah Hampton has vowed to try to live up to Mary Earps's legacy after being confirmed as England's No 1 due to her shock retirement. And in an exclusive from Tom Garry, Seb Hines and Giles Barnes share all on their friendship and how the British pair guided Orlando Pride to their first NWSL title in 2024.
New York Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
U.S. women's coach Emma Hayes plans to give Europe-based players ‘much needed break' this summer
United States women's head soccer coach Emma Hayes plans to give Europe-based players a 'much-needed break' this summer and instead will rely on a pool of almost exclusively domestic talent for the upcoming international window. In an interview with ESPN on Tuesday night, Hayes said the only Europe-based player she expects to call up is Chelsea defender Naomi Girma. The vice-captain and defender returned from injury to the national team for the first time in 2025 earlier this month. Advertisement 'This is the first opportunity, and the only one for them, to take a break between now and the World Cup in two years,' Hayes said, 'and player welfare and rest and recovery are also important for these players.' The USWNT has a pair of friendlies against Ireland in late June in Colorado and Ohio, followed by a match against Canada in Washington, D.C., on July 2. The decision to rest players, Hayes said, was collaborative with input from the USWNT's medical and performance teams. They accounted for the number of games played, lengths of players' seasons and their frequency of games, beginning with the 2023 World Cup. This year offers a rare respite from international competitions for U.S. national team players. World Cup qualifying begins next year, followed by the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and then the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Hayes pointed to players like Arsenal's Emily Fox and Lyon's Lindsey Heaps, who in the past two years had little to no time off due to a packed international calendar that transitions quickly into their club seasons in Europe. 'In Europe, players play for 10.5, 11 months, Hayes said. 'And with those tournaments and the way that they take place, sort of in late summer in (the) football calendar, meant that they were literally getting a week's break and going back into a full 11-month season.' Fox, for example, helped Arsenal lift the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy on May 24 in Lisbon, Portugal, before flying to the national team camp in Minnesota in June. Arsenal's preseason is set to begin in July. 'It means the player doesn't get an offseason, which in the short term, doesn't have a negative impact on the U.S. women's national team, but when we factor in the World Cup, followed by an Olympics 12 months later, this is the only real opportunity that they can have an off season,' Hayes said. 'We don't necessarily decide the international calendar, but this is one where we think it's in the best interest for the players.' Advertisement Most of the players called up for this next training camp will likely be from the NWSL, which will break from its regular season in July. This upcoming roster also has the potential for some USWNT veterans to return to the fold. Hayes hinted at midfielder Rose Lavelle making her return to the national stage after a six-month absence following ankle surgery. She had a successful return to the club stage with Gotham over the weekend, despite the team falling to Kansas City Current, 2-1. 'Very much hope that she will be with us in camp,' Hayes said. 'She's had, as she calls it, you know, a very lengthy layoff. … I think it was great for her to make an appearance at the weekend, but we miss her at the national team.' Hayes also told ESPN that forward Trinity Rodman will remain absent from this upcoming window, as the 23-year-old continues to wrestle with an ongoing back injury. She anticipates her return to the Washington Spirit 'in July at some point.' 'She's in great spirits, and I know we're moving in the right direction with Trin,' Hayes said. 'Both club and country have been working hard to get her to this stage.'
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Defenders Girma, Fox Prove To Be True National (Team) Treasures
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 22: Naomi Girma, Ashley Sanchez and Emily Fox of the United States pose for a ... More photo during USWNT training at St. David's Performance Center on October 22, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF) When she returned to play with the U.S. Women's National Team earlier this week, Emily Fox was given the red-carpet treatment. Literally. After all, it's not every day you are a member of a team that captures the UEFA Women's Champions League. The right back is a member of Arsenal, which upset favored Barcelona for the title, 1-0, in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, May 24. As she entered a room at the team's hotel in Minneapolis, a stunned Fox walked onto the carpet while her U.S. teammates and team staff waved American flags and popped silly string, celebrating her accomplishment. "Yeah, very surprised and shocked when I walked up to the second floor in camp," Fox said during a Zoom media press conference on Wednesday. "It was amazing. It was really cool that literally everyone was there, like staff players, the whole thing. It's really special, just because you have club, you have country, and then it kind of meshes at some points." It was heartening to see a defender, an elite one at that, getting her due, particularly by her teammates. For the most part, defenders are ignored by the media, unless they make a major blunder or score a goal. Fox and USWNT center back Naomi Girma might not be known for their goal-scoring prowess as the likes of Sophia (nee Smith) Wilson, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson have proved - but what they bring to the team is something that cannot be quantified: Superior defending at the highest level of competitions. LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Naomi Girma of Chelsea celebrates with the Barclays Women's Super League ... More Trophy following her team's victory in during the Barclays Women's Super League Match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on May 10, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) Girma helped Chelsea - USWNT head coach Emma Hayes' former club team, incidentally - capture the English women's treble - Women's Super League (a near-perfect 19-0-3 mark), FA Cup and Women's League Cup. In fact, after Girma's exceptional performance at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Hayes called the center back the best woman's defender on the planet. "Look, she's the best defender I've ever seen," Hayes said after the team's 1-0 semifinal victory over Germany. "I've never seen a player as good as her at the back. She's got everything, poise, composure, she can defend, she anticipates, she leads. [She's] unbelievable." What is good for the team and scary for USA opponents is that both players are in their prime, and not grizzled old veterans. But they play like they have hundreds of games under their collective belts. Girma turns 25 on June 14, Fox 27 on July 5. Girma, who has represented her country 44 times, was honored as the 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year and then became the first woman involved in a million-dollar transfer ($1.1 million), joining the Blues from the San Diego Wave (National Women's Soccer League) in January. "It was a big move for me, not just soccer-wise, life-wise, too," she said on Zoom on Wednesday. "It was a big step out of my comfort zone, leaving California, living somewhere different and playing in a different culture and country. It's a new challenge and new test, and that's been really exciting. To be in a different training environment and playing different types of teams has been a big test for me, and something that I hope I'll continue to grow with.' Injuries limited Girma to eight games across all competitions, including five in the league. Moving to a new team is difficult enough. Add another country and then an injury, and it becomes that much more challenging. In her WSL debut, Girma suffered an injury and was forced out of the match with a leg injury in the 59th minute of a 2-2 draw with Brighton on March 2. Girma persevered before returning in a 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace on April 23. "I think for a lot of us, you only see the tiniest moments of our career," she said. "And a lot of it, it does happen behind the scenes, and a lot of it isn't easy and isn't fun. I think in those moments for me, a lot of it is just relying on family and friends and my support system. Moving to London, that was harder, just because I was new. But I was able to find small wins in life, and had family visit and just explored the city and did everything I could to get healthy. In those moments, it really just is finding joy in little things and trying to find whatever joy you can off the field, because it's not always going to be going your way." Three major championships over several months can make life seem better. Even one title can, as well. LISBON, PORTUGAL - MAY 24: Jenna Nighswonger of Arsenal poses for a photograph with Emily Fox and ... More the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy after the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between Arsenal WFC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Jose Alvalade on May 24, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Barcelona was heavy favorites, but Arsenal scored via Swedish international Stina Blackstenius' goal in the 75th minute and held on to win, 1-0. Champions League matches are at another level, to which Fox has been accustomed. "You look at the Brazil game for the Olympics, [the] last game of a tough tournament with Barcelona, last game of the long season," Fox said. 'So, I definitely think leaning on that experience and that grind, and we did talk about before the game, like being able to suffer and being okay with it, because of the talent that Barca has, and being okay with not having the ball, which normally, as a team, we don't do." Arsenal was honored at its home venue, Emirates Stadium on Monday. Fox called it "surreal." "Just honored in the sense that I think when you're in it, it's hard to appreciate it, because you're always used to just going, and what's the next thing," she said. "When you have that time to connect with the fans, and the entire season ... I just think it's been an unreal experience." The next day Fox was back in the USA for another, albeit smaller celebration with her teammates. For most of the WSL season, Fox and Arsenal (15-4-3, 48) essentially played second fiddle to Chelsea, finishing 12 points behind their rivals. The Blues won both league encounters, 2-1 on the road on Oct. 12, and 1-0 at home on Jan. 26. Fox said that those London derby matches are "intense." "The atmosphere, leading up to the game, the intensity and just feels a little bit different," she added. "There's a lot of charged energy, especially depending if it's home or away. But they're games I always look forward to. I feel like specifically in those games, that's where I grow the most, because it is very uncomfortable. It is the best of the best. With the rivalry that we have with them, you never know what can happen." Fox said that there hasn't been any trash talk between her and Girma. "If anything, I would say Cat, but then she'll laugh afterwards," Fox said, referring to her USWNT teammate, Catarina Macario, who plays for Chelsea. "We both just smile at each other before the game and then see what happens." In fact, several U.S. London-based players haven gotten together for a brunch. The group included Chelsea forward Mia Fishel, Arsenal defender Jenna Nighswonger, Brighton & Hove Albion forward Madison Haley, Macario, Girma and Fox. MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JULY 28: Emily Fox of United States (L) and Naomi Girma of United States (C), ... More Trinity Rodman of United States (R) enter the field during the Women's group B match between United States and Germany during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille on July 28, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/) With their club seasons finished, Girma and Fox will work together in some friendlies. It starts on Saturday, May 31, when the USA faces China PR in Minneapolis, Minn. (5:30 p.m. ET, TBS, Max), and continues in St. Louis against Jamaica on Tuesday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET (TNT, Max). The pressure and intensity might be different than what the two defenders experienced across the Atlantic. These games are friendlies, but there is plenty to prove. One thing is certain, neither player likes to lose. It has been a while since Girma played with the national team - not since a 2-1 win at the Netherlands on Dec. 3. And Hayes has given many young players a chance to show their worth at the international level. Girma said that Hayes "was excited to have me back and just wanted me to focus on feeling good within the team, getting comfortable with playing with new people and just enjoy being back. "The leadership and other things will come as we're playing in sessions and in games," she added. "So. she really just wanted me to have fun and be myself." Winning those games would make it even better.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps says salary cap issue to blame for NWSL departures
USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps says salary cap issue to blame for NWSL departures USWNT captain and Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps says the NWSL salary cap may be to blame for some of America's top players leaving the league for Europe. A small wave of Americans left the NWSL for Europe this summer, highlighted by Naomi Girma who became the first million-dollar transfer in women's soccer. Girma left the San Diego Wave for Chelsea for a world-record $1.1 million fee in January. Advertisement Speaking ahead of Lyon's Champions League semifinal clash with Arsenal, Heaps called the cap an 'ongoing issue,' when asked why Americans are coming to Europe. 'There's a salary cap in NWSL and I think that's an ongoing issue there that hopefully can be changed or increased,' Heaps said at Lyon's press conference. 'It's a factor in the NWSL and for players coming overseas.' Heaps will square off against USWNT teammates Emily Fox and Jenna Nighswonger, both defenders on Arsenal, on Saturday. She described the matchup as 'so cool, so exciting and also very special for me, because these moments don't happen a lot.' There are 'a lot of things' that attract Americans to Europe, Heaps said. 'You have two very, very good leagues. (When) you play a lot of time in the NWSL, like I did, I wanted a different challenge. Advertisement 'It wasn't anything against the NWSL, but I wanted to come play in Champions League again. I wanted to play for a big club like this. I think I just needed a different kind of challenge. 'Maybe that's also what these players felt. Speaking with Nay [Naomi Girma], speaking with Jenna [Nighswonger], speaking with Foxy [Emily Fox], that's what they need. That's what they needed at the time.' At their recent national team camp, Heaps said she teased Fox ahead of their Champions League clash. 'I was giving Foxy [Emily Fox] as much crap as I possibly could and trying to just chip at her a little bit.' She said it was 'special' to see her U.S. teammate's excelling in an environment like Arsenal's. 'To see [Fox] go and make that big move and play well and be a very impactful player for the team as well, I think that's really special for me to see as a captain. Advertisement 'I want all of my players to be doing well – just not this weekend, I hope.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, NWSL, UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
19-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps says salary cap issue to blame for NWSL departures
USWNT captain and Lyon midfielder Lindsey Heaps says the NWSL salary cap may be to blame for some of America's top players leaving the league for Europe. A small wave of Americans left the NWSL for Europe this summer, highlighted by Naomi Girma who became the first million-dollar transfer in women's soccer. Girma left the San Diego Wave for Chelsea for a world-record $1.1 million fee in January. Advertisement Speaking ahead of Lyon's Champions League semifinal clash with Arsenal, Heaps called the cap an 'ongoing issue,' when asked why Americans are coming to Europe. 'There's a salary cap in NWSL and I think that's an ongoing issue there that hopefully can be changed or increased,' Heaps said at Lyon's press conference. 'It's a factor in the NWSL and for players coming overseas.' Heaps will square off against USWNT teammates Emily Fox and Jenna Nighswonger, both defenders on Arsenal, on Saturday. She described the matchup as 'so cool, so exciting and also very special for me, because these moments don't happen a lot.' There are 'a lot of things' that attract Americans to Europe, Heaps said. 'You have two very, very good leagues. (When) you play a lot of time in the NWSL, like I did, I wanted a different challenge. 'It wasn't anything against the NWSL, but I wanted to come play in Champions League again. I wanted to play for a big club like this. I think I just needed a different kind of challenge. 'Maybe that's also what these players felt. Speaking with Nay [Naomi Girma], speaking with Jenna [Nighswonger], speaking with Foxy [Emily Fox], that's what they need. That's what they needed at the time.' At their recent national team camp, Heaps said she teased Fox ahead of their Champions League clash. 'I was giving Foxy [Emily Fox] as much crap as I possibly could and trying to just chip at her a little bit.' She said it was 'special' to see her U.S. teammate's excelling in an environment like Arsenal's. 'To see [Fox] go and make that big move and play well and be a very impactful player for the team as well, I think that's really special for me to see as a captain. 'I want all of my players to be doing well – just not this weekend, I hope.' (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
