The U.S. women’s national team’s Emma Hayes era kicks off this weekend in Commerce City, Colo. as the squad prepares for Saturday’s friendly against Korea — the first of two in the coming week — under the new head coach.
Hayes named her first 23-player roster for the friendlies, tapping U.S. women’s national team captain Lindsey Horan and a number of veterans in Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC) alongside a young core of Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars), and Catarina Macario (Chelsea). The roster also includes two senior national team debutants in Spirit midfielder Hal Hershfelt and Chicago Red Stars defender Sam Staab as well as a handful of youngsters in San Diego’s Jaedyn Shaw, Lily Yohannes (Ajax), and Korbin Albert (PSG).
Horan, a Colorado native, spoke to the media ahead of the first friendly, sharing her enthusiasm about playing under Hayes, who takes over on the sidelines for the four-time Olympic champions after wrapping up the Women’s Super League season with Chelsea. Alongside a pair of mid-July friendlies, these will be the final matches played by the team before the 2024 Paris Olympics.
