The U.S. women’s national team will play two matches against China in December to close out the year. USWNT interim head coach Twila Kilgore has announced a 26-player training camp roster for the games, which will take place on Dec. 2 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Dec. 5 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Emma Hayes, the current manager of Chelsea FC, has been named the next head coach of the USWNT. Her contract runs through 2027 and includes a late arrival to the team after the conclusion of Chelsea’s season. Kilgore will continue as interim head coach until Hayes arrives and will later join as a full-time assistant on Hayes’ staff.
The December friendlies will mark the first meeting between the two teams since 2018, with the United States having a dominant record of 12 wins, 4 draws, and 0 losses against China. The roster for the friendlies includes only a few players from the 2023 FIFA World Cup team, along with several NWSL End-of-Year and Best XI players, and some new names. There are six players with 50 or more caps and 11 players with single-digit caps on the roster, suggesting that the team may see some new and different elements in the Hayes era.
NWSL rookie of the year Jenna Nighswonger earned her first senior team call-up after winning the 2023 NWSL Championship with NJ/NY Gotham FC. Paris Saint-Germain’s Korbin Albert also made her first USWNT camp roster. Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie is returning to the national team after previously being in the camp.
On the other hand, veterans such as Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Crystal Dunn will not be available for the friendlies as they begin their off-season break.
Take a look at the complete roster below:
USWNT roster (Club; Caps/Goals)
Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 7), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 16)
Defenders (7): Alana Cook (OL Reign; 29/1), Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC; 79/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 50/1), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 37/1), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 24/0), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars; 41/0), M.A. Vignola (Angel City FC; 1/0)
Midfielders (8): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA; 0/0), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 5/0), Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC; 6/0), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 137/30), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 91/24), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 0/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 81/2)
Forwards (8): Mia Fishel (Chelsea FC, ENG; 2/1), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 21/5), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 24/4), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 26/6), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC; 2/1), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 36/14), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 8/0), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 58/17)
