Emma Hayes has selected her first roster as United States manager ahead of a pair of friendlies as she prepares to lead the women’s national team at the Paris Olympics.
Hayes, who was named USWNT coach last November, finished her final season in charge of Chelsea on Saturday, winning the team’s fifth straight Women’s Super League Title with a 6-0 rout of Manchester United.
Her first US roster, which was announced on 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 1 June in Commerce City, Colorado, before a rematch on 4 June in St Paul, Minnesota.
The 23-player roster is Hayes’ last chance to look at players before she names an 18-player squad for the Olympics. The United States will play a pair of sendoff matches in July.
“I expect complete commitment from everyone to absorb very quickly the things that I value as the most important so that we can compete this summer. I know they are a highly coachable group and I’m looking 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 putting a roster together for the Olympics.”
Former coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned from the US team following last year’s disappointing finish in the Women’s World Cup. Twila Kilgore led the team in the interim while Hayes finished the season with Chelsea. Kilgore will now serve as an assistant coach under Hayes.
Captain Lindsey Horan, among five players from European teams on the roster, will join training camp after her club, Lyon, face Barcelona for the Champions League title on Saturday.
A notable omission from the roster is veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was injured while playing in a match for the Chicago Red Stars on 12 May.
USWNT squad for June friendlies
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).
Midfielders
Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham), Lily Yohannes (Ajax).
Forwards
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)
