Girma’s Anticipated Return to USWNT and Emerging Talents

Naomi Girma makes her much-anticipated return to the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) roster after missing the previous FIFA window due to an injury. The defender last featured for the U.S. on July 2, during a 3-0 victory over Canada, and has participated in only four of the team’s 13 matches this year, starting in all four as a center back.

Her re-entry into the squad has generated considerable excitement, particularly from head coach Emma Hayes. Girma played a pivotal role in the U.S. team’s journey to Olympic gold in 2024, a feat that led Hayes to commend her as “the best defender I’ve ever seen.”

In club competitions, Girma has also faced injury challenges but recently made her way back into Chelsea’s lineup, starting in their impressive 6-0 Champions League win over St. Pölten.

Before the camp, Hayes expressed her happiness about Girma’s return, stating, “I’m just so happy she’s back… I realize more and more the importance, not just of her qualities on the field, but her quiet leadership – not just in terms of leading the line, but off the field as well.”

Following the October friendlies, Hayes solidified her goalkeeper lineup with Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Claudia Dickey, and Mandy McGlynn, who have been consistently rotated. Tullis-Joyce and McGlynn have both started three matches, while Dickey has been in the starting position twice.

Due to a facial injury sustained while playing for her club, Manchester United, Tullis-Joyce will miss this camp, leading to the inclusion of newcomer Jordan Silkowitz. This marks Silkowitz’s second international call-up, having previously participated with the Under-23s in Germany. Collectively, the three goalkeepers in this camp have just eight career caps.

Whether Hayes will give Silkowitz the opportunity to play remains uncertain. However, Hayes has shown a willingness to experiment with her selections during her tenure, suggesting that now may be a fitting time to give Silkowitz a chance.

While not referred to as the ‘Triple Espresso’, Catarina Macario, Girma, and Alyssa Thompson will represent the USWNT after their recent performances for Chelsea in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Macario notably shone in the latest match, scoring twice against St. Pölten.

Overall, six players from this roster are currently playing in Europe, with four in England and two in France. Lindsey Heaps and Lily Yohannes are part of Lyon, while Emily Fox plays for Arsenal.

Macario and Thompson have consistently posed threats for the USWNT in attack. Thompson has already accumulated 22 caps and netted three goals, while Macario has scored once this year, bringing her total to 13 goals in 27 career caps, demonstrating her long-term impact when fit.

All eyes will be on forward Jaedyn Shaw during this camp, as it marks her second consecutive call-up to the senior team, following two previous windows with the Under-23s. Shaw has collected 29 caps and scored eight goals with the senior team, achieving a remarkable milestone as the first USWNT player to score in her first five starts.

Additionally, Shaw has been instrumental in Gotham FC’s late-season efforts, scoring a decisive free-kick goal in overtime to propel her team to the 2025 NWSL Championship.

Under Hayes’ guidance, Shaw has experienced some inconsistency, but her recent playoff performances indicate that she is regaining her confidence, which could prove beneficial for the team.