Injured Naeher out as Hayes names first USWNT squad ahead of Paris tune-ups
Manager Emma Hayes has selected her first squad for the United States ahead of a pair of friendlies as she prepares to lead the women’s national team at the Paris Olympics.
Hayes, who was appointed US coach last November, concluded her final season as Chelsea coach on Saturday, winning a fifth straight Women’s Super League title with a 6-0 defeat to Manchester United.
Her first U.S. roster announced Tuesday includes two National Women’s Soccer League players called up to the national team for the first time: Chicago Red Stars defender Sam Staab and Washington Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt.
The team will play South Korea on June 1 in Commerce City, Colorado, before a rematch on June 4 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The 23-player roster is Hayes’ last chance to look at players before announcing an 18-player roster for the Olympics. The United States will play a few farewell games in July.
“I expect everyone’s full commitment to incorporate the things I value as most important very quickly so that we can compete this summer. I know they are a very coachable group and I look forward to challenging them,” Hayes said in a statement. ‘It’s time to go to work. I can’t wait to meet the fans and it’s really time to get behind the team as we get closer to building a squad for the Olympic Games.”
Former coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned from the US team after last year’s disappointing finish at the Women’s World Cup. Twila Kilgore managed the team in the interim while Hayes finished the season at Chelsea. Kilgore will now serve as an assistant coach under Hayes.
Captain Lindsey Horan, one of five players from European teams on the roster, will go to training camp after her club, Lyon, faces Barcelona for the Champions League title on Saturday.
One notable omission from the roster is veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was injured on May 12 while playing for the Chicago Red Stars.
The American selection per position with club affiliation:
Goalkeepers
Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage).
Defenders
Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham), Sam Staab (Chicago Red Stars).
Midfielder
Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham), Lily Yohannes (Ajax).
Forward
Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red) Stars)