Latest news with #internationalfriendlies
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rose Lavelle returns to USWNT camp and Naomi Girma features again after injuries
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — U.S. women's national team coach Emma Hayes has been deliberate about inviting new, deserving players to senior camp and, more recently, allowing those based in Europe to rest this summer. But as the USWNT prepares for a trio of international friendlies — two against Ireland on Thursday and Sunday, and one against Canada on July 2 — two familiar faces who've starred as fixtures on the roster before their injuries have reappeared: Rose Lavelle and Naomi Girma. Lavelle, a 30-year-old midfielder for Gotham FC, joins the USWNT for the first time this calendar year after recovering from an ankle injury. Her last match with the national team was Dec. 3, 2024, against the Netherlands. Advertisement Girma, meanwhile, plays for Chelsea and makes her second consecutive national team roster after a calf injury. Though the USWNT had only one training under its belt by the time Lavelle and Girma spoke to the media at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., Lavelle said she'd 'missed it a lot' and that she was 'really happy to be back with the girls, happy to be back in the environment.' Lavelle enters this international window as the most veteran national team player with 110 caps and reflected on the way her leadership role has shifted over the years. Of the other 23 players named to this camp, four are first-time call-ups, six don't have any senior caps, and 19 players have fewer than 10 appearances for the USWNT. 'I have been one of the more experienced players now for a little bit, which still feels weird, but I feel like I obviously have been in that position before where I was the newer, inexperienced player, and I always say I think I had a lot of really, really great older players to look up to, to help usher me into the position where I now can be that for the younger players, so it's definitely something that I lean into,' she said Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement Girma, who signed with Chelsea in January for a record-breaking $1.1 million transfer fee, falls squarely under the category of European club players whose seasons just ended. However, the calf injury she picked up during her debut game for the London-based side in March kept her out of action for several months for club and country. She chose to attend this camp to build on her experiences and contributions under Hayes this year, which began during the last window when she played in two U.S. matches, both victories, against China and Jamaica. 'I'm in a different position (from other Europe-based players) where I transferred (to Chelsea) midyear, had a bit of an injury, so I've had some time out this year already, so I think it just made sense to continue staying fit, continue training, and come into this camp and just get another opportunity to play,' she said. When Hayes announced her decision to rest those abroad June 10, she also made it clear Girma would be an exception, citing conversations the two had had about her joining the USWNT this summer. Advertisement Girma will join nine other defenders Hayes has selected for this camp — some of whom, such as the Washington Spirit's Tara McKeown and Orlando Pride's Emily Sams, are ostensibly auditioning to play alongside Girma as central defenders as the team prepares for the 2027 World Cup and Hayes looks to solidify her core group. Others, such as 18-year-old fellow center back Jordyn Bugg and 21-year-old Lilly Reale, will be playing with Girma for the first time. 'Our back line has been strong, and I think it's really important for us to continue getting players in when they're young,' Girma said. 'That's something that I definitely benefited from, and I think as a defender that's something that you need to get that confidence and to feel like you understand how we're playing like how you wanna organize the team, so I think it's only gonna benefit us going forward.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, NWSL 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Rose Lavelle returns to USWNT camp and Naomi Girma features again after injuries
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — U.S. women's national team coach Emma Hayes has been deliberate about inviting new, deserving players to senior camp and, more recently, allowing those based in Europe to rest this summer. But as the USWNT prepares for a trio of international friendlies — two against Ireland on Thursday and Sunday, and one against Canada on July 2 — two familiar faces who've starred as fixtures on the roster before their injuries have reappeared: Rose Lavelle and Naomi Girma. Lavelle, a 30-year-old midfielder for Gotham FC, joins the USWNT for the first time this calendar year after recovering from an ankle injury. Her last match with the national team was Dec. 3, 2024, against the Netherlands. Advertisement Girma, meanwhile, plays for Chelsea and makes her second consecutive national team roster after a calf injury. Though the USWNT had only one training under its belt by the time Lavelle and Girma spoke to the media at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., Lavelle said she'd 'missed it a lot' and that she was 'really happy to be back with the girls, happy to be back in the environment.' Lavelle enters this international window as the most veteran national team player with 110 caps and reflected on the way her leadership role has shifted over the years. Of the other 23 players named to this camp, four are first-time call-ups, six don't have any senior caps, and 19 players have fewer than 10 appearances for the USWNT. 'I have been one of the more experienced players now for a little bit, which still feels weird, but I feel like I obviously have been in that position before where I was the newer, inexperienced player, and I always say I think I had a lot of really, really great older players to look up to, to help usher me into the position where I now can be that for the younger players, so it's definitely something that I lean into,' she said Wednesday afternoon. Girma, who signed with Chelsea in January for a record-breaking $1.1 million transfer fee, falls squarely under the category of European club players whose seasons just ended. However, the calf injury she picked up during her debut game for the London-based side in March kept her out of action for several months for club and country. She chose to attend this camp to build on her experiences and contributions under Hayes this year, which began during the last window when she played in two U.S. matches, both victories, against China and Jamaica. 'I'm in a different position (from other Europe-based players) where I transferred (to Chelsea) midyear, had a bit of an injury, so I've had some time out this year already, so I think it just made sense to continue staying fit, continue training, and come into this camp and just get another opportunity to play,' she said. Advertisement When Hayes announced her decision to rest those abroad June 10, she also made it clear Girma would be an exception, citing conversations the two had had about her joining the USWNT this summer. Girma will join nine other defenders Hayes has selected for this camp — some of whom, such as the Washington Spirit's Tara McKeown and Orlando Pride's Emily Sams, are ostensibly auditioning to play alongside Girma as central defenders as the team prepares for the 2027 World Cup and Hayes looks to solidify her core group. Others, such as 18-year-old fellow center back Jordyn Bugg and 21-year-old Lilly Reale, will be playing with Girma for the first time. 'Our back line has been strong, and I think it's really important for us to continue getting players in when they're young,' Girma said. 'That's something that I definitely benefited from, and I think as a defender that's something that you need to get that confidence and to feel like you understand how we're playing like how you wanna organize the team, so I think it's only gonna benefit us going forward.'
Irish Times
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
Jason Knight glad to seize any Ireland opportunity despite long season
It can't be the easiest of tasks trying to sound full of the joys about international friendlies at the end of a long, wearying club season, but Jason Knight managed to achieve the feat in Abbotstown on Tuesday where the Republic of Ireland squad trained ahead of Friday's game against Senegal in Dublin and another away to Luxembourg next week. 'I could be in Albufeira,' the Bristol City captain smiled when it was put to him that sun, sea and sand might be a more attractive option than a training session on the outskirts of Blanchardstown at this time of year. 'But there's always time for holidays,' he said. 'These caps and these opportunities are golden and I'm trying to grab them as much as I can. This is the dream, this is where I want to be.' Little wonder he's in good form. While City's season ended in the misery of a 6-0 aggregate defeat by Sheffield United in the semi-finals of the playoffs for promotion to the Premier League, the 24-year-old Dubliner enjoyed an impressive campaign – one that earned him the club's player of the year award, and every other gong they had to offer. All of which has led to no end of chat about him attracting Premier League interest. He has nothing concrete to report on that front, but 'like anyone else, I'm ambitious, I want to play in the in the top division, but I'm relaxed about it as well,' he said. 'I've had a good season, I'm enjoying myself at Bristol.' READ MORE Assistant manager John O'Shea, sitting beside him, saluted the midfielder. 'He's new school with old school and it's a good school that he's from,' he said. 'I'm sure there are lots of people looking at him.' By then, O'Shea had to bat off questions about decidedly more solid transfer speculation in the form of Caoimhín Kelleher's later confirmed move from Liverpool to Brentford. 'It's not for us to to confirm anything,' he said, 'he was obviously at a very good club ... IS at a very good club,' he corrected himself, with a grin. Ireland assistant manager John O'Shea. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho 'We'd love our players to be playing, it's as simple as that,' he said of the prospect of Kelleher being a starter rather than an understudy from next season. 'He's proven the quality that he has every time he's been asked to go in as the number one for Liverpool, and he's shown that they haven't missed Alisson when he has been injured. The whole of Europe and the whole of world has seen what Caoimhín can do. Whatever happens, I'm sure we'll get the benefit of it.' Evan Ferguson is another member of the Irish squad who could do with pastures news after his fruitless loan spell at West Ham from Brighton. 'No issues whatsoever,' said O'Shea of the 20-year-old's frame of mind when he joined up with the squad. 'You can't sit and sulk about it, and Evan hasn't. 'He was fantastic in training today. He showed real good strength, physicality, technical abilities that were never in doubt. He showed the type of player we know he is and hopefully he'll get the chance to show that in the next couple of games as well. And hopefully there'll be lots of good things to come.' O'Shea also doffed his cap to the squad's newcomers, Reims midfielder John Joe Patrick Finn, Leyton Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley, Shamrock Rovers defender Josh Honohan and Killian Phillips, who spent the season just ended on loan from Crystal Palace at St Mirren. 'They've been impressive. Plenty of powerful running and good tackling, intensity, good characters. Josh Honohan has been brilliant. He had good battles with Festy Ebosele today, it's really good to see that he's able to compete and show what he's all about. And that's what we want. We want the players to come in and show that personality.' Knight, meanwhile, talked of the progress made by the younger members of the squad, most of them blooded by Stephen Kenny. 'We've matured since we were brought us in, there's probably seven, eight, nine, 10 of us who came in at the same time and now we have 20-plus caps. We want to do something with the national team, we want to get to the big tournaments, we want to be successful, all eyes are on the World Cup. But the performances have to back that up, we need to get the results as well.' Asked what pain barrier he was prepared to cross to play for club and country, Knight was clear enough. 'If the leg isn't off, I suppose.' Albufeira can wait.
Irish Times
03-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Double header is perfect opportunity for Ireland trio of Parrott, Idah and Ferguson to hit the target
There is a good reason why Troy Parrott , Adam Idah and Evan Ferguson are the only strikers named in Heimir Hallgrímsson's Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming double header of international friendlies. The Boys In Green play Senegal at the Aviva Stadium on Friday before catching a plane for a clash with Luxembourg next Tuesday. To date, all three players have five international goals to their credit. And while Parrott (23) and Idah (24) are coming off the back of impressive seasons, much is expected of 20-year-old Ferguson despite a disappointing campaign in the Premier League. What separates Ireland's established front men from the rest is their proven ability in front of goal. Idah just completed the best season of his career, hitting 20 for Celtic despite starting the campaign behind Kyogo Furuhashi. Three of his goals came in the Champions League and he also scored Ireland's winning goal against Bulgaria in March. READ MORE Parrott's career is also on an upward trajectory, with the Dubliner finishing on 20 goals for AZ Alkmaar, 14 of which came in the Dutch Eredivisie to leave him as the division's third highest scorer. Parrott also grabbed four goals in European competition, including a snap shot that gave Robbie Keane a nervous first night in charge of Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Uefa Europa League. Troy Parrott had a successful season with AZ, scoring 14 Eredivisie goals and 20 in all competitions. Photograph: Alex Bierens'You learn a lot more about yourself [at a European club],' said Keane in January, drawing on his experiences with Inter Milan as a young player. 'When I went to Italy at 19, 20 years of age, even in that short space of time I learned a lot in terms of how to play. 'Look at Troy now, he is still young, still learning his trade. As a young player you have to go on these journeys. Take a few loans, take a few hits and then go to a club where you feel valued and are the main guy.' Ferguson has taken 'a few hits' since notching his first Premier League goal for Brighton, against Arsenal, in December, 2022. There is no way to dress up the loan move to West Ham in January after he struggled for minutes at Brighton under Fabian Hürzeler. The presence of Graham Potter, his first manager at Brighton, offered promise of a career revival in London. However, he was unceremoniously hooked at half-time in his only Premier League start for the Hammers against Wolves. Ideally, Ferguson returns to Brighton for pre-season without the knee or ankle issues that silenced talk of him becoming a £100 million teenager. Apparently, Manchester United were at the front of the queue. Despite his stalled progress in England, Ferguson continued to deliver for Ireland, scoring the goal that beat Finland 1-0 in Dublin last November before a fine individual effort against Bulgaria. Evan Ferguson scores for Ireland against Finland last November. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho 'Evan is fit,' said Hallgrímsson. 'He has a chance to prove a point. It is good to see, for us. 'We can see his quality in our sessions, especially his finishing. It is second to none. We all know that once he starts playing on a regular basis, he will deliver more for us.' With an eye towards bolstering Ireland's attack in the upcoming World Cup qualification campaign, Hallgrímsson and his assistant John O'Shea recently met Premier League forward Liam Delap. The Ireland manager's summation of the discussion with a 22-year-old who has played for England at every age grade? 'Well, he didn't say f**k off.' Delap has a busy summer ahead as his £30 million (€36 million) move from Ipswich Town to Chelsea is set to rule him out of the England under-21s' defence of their European Championship title. The powerful forward, who scored 12 Premier League goals for Ipswich last season, could make his debut for Chelsea against Los Angeles FC in the Fifa Club World Cup on June 16th. Sammie Szmodics is the safer bet to break up the Idah-Parrott-Ferguson triumvirate despite an injury disrupted first season in the Premier League. The 29-year-old managed seven goals for Ipswich until his ankle injury in January, following up an outstanding 33-goal haul for Blackburn Rovers in the 2023/24 season. Hallgrímsson tends to play Szmodics off the left, but come the daunting away qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary later this year, a hard-working 'false nine' may be required. Callum Robinson and Tom Cannon are another pair of English-born Irish strikers who both scored 12 goals this season in the Championship, for Cardiff and Sheffield United respectively. Michael Obafemi struggled with just two goals for a Burnley side that stormed back into the Premier League.
Irish Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Séamus Coleman and Sammie Szmodics to miss Ireland friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson has called up Andrew Moran in place of Sammie Szmodics for the international friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg. Ireland face Senegal at the Aviva Stadium on Friday week (June 6th) followed by an end-of-season trip to Luxembourg on June 10th. Séamus Coleman lasted only 18 minutes for Everton in the club's last match at Goodison Park on May 18th and requires a three-week recovery period. Hallgrímsson decided not to replace Coleman in a 23-man squad as Matt Doherty, Jake O'Brien, Festy Ebosele and Dara O'Shea can play right back. On whether the 36-year-old will feature in the World Cup qualification campaign – beginning against Hungary and Armenia in September –Hallgrímsson said: 'That's for Séamus to decide, not me.' READ MORE 'He is a leader in this squad. His experience is one thing, but his quality as a player as well, having played at the highest level for so long. 'Hopefully there will come another time for him. I know he is going to be at Everton next season in more of a leadership role. If he is going to continue playing is his decision.' Séamus Coleman gestures to the crowd as he leaves the pitch after going down injured during Everton's Premier League game against Southampton on May 18th. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Szmodics returned from the ankle injury he sustained in January to finish Ipswich Town's season against West Ham last Sunday but Hallgrímsson wants him to rest and undergo a full preseason to be ready for Hungary's visit to Dublin on September 6th. 'Sammie played 10, 15 minutes in the last game for Ipswich, but his ankle got sore so we decided to call in Andy Moran as a winger-ish-type. He has played in that position before. 'He made a good impression when we played England away [last November], in a difficult situation, and he wasn't involved in the last camp so this is a chance for him to cement himself in the squad. 'His playing time at Stoke got less and less, maybe because he was a loan [from Brighton]. He is really young, he has quality to play in many positions.' Republic of Ireland squad Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Max O'Leary (Bristol City), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur). Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg, on loan from Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End). Midfielders: Jason Knight (Bristol City), Killian Phillips (St Mirren, on loan from Crystal Palace), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), John Joe Patrick Finn (Stade De Reims), Andrew Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton). Forwards: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Evan Ferguson (West Ham United, on loan from Brighton), Adam Idah (Celtic), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Basaksehir), Ryan Manning (Southampton). Fixture details Republic of Ireland v Senegal, Aviva Stadium; Friday, June 6th, 7.45pm Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland, Stade De Luxembourg; Tuesday, June 10th, 7.45pm (Irish time)
