In preparations for upcoming friendlies against Spain, U.S. Women’s National Team coach Emma Hayes addressed the roster selections as part of the journey toward the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. This reflects a new approach in utilizing the U-23 players, with notable mentions of Jaedyn Shaw and Ally Sentnor, who both have amassed over 50 caps and 17 goals for the senior team yet are being assigned to the youth team instead.
Hayes emphasized that not including Shaw in the previous camp against Brazil wasn’t optimal for her growth. While gaining experience in a training environment is valuable, Hayes believes it’s crucial for established players like Shaw and Sentnor to gain game time, which they can accomplish with the U-23s. They will also participate in matches against the Dominican Republic’s U-23 team during this training window at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, alongside the senior squad.
“I want to focus on player development, avoiding situations where less experienced players remain on the bench. For Ali and Jaedyn, the decision to join the U-23s was made to prioritize their growth,” Hayes clarified. “Although they are key to our future plans, competition for positions is intense, particularly with Ashley Sanchez and Trinity Byars making strong cases for inclusion. I’ve talked to both players about the significance of their development. Being with the U-23s allows me to observe their progress daily. This is part of their trajectory, and I see it positively.”
This perspective highlights Hayes’s commitment to player development and also illustrates the advantages of having a national training center. Previously, when matches occurred in Washington, D.C., or Chester, Pennsylvania, camps would often be situated further north for preparation. However, Georgia’s facility can accommodate everyone, enabling Hayes to monitor growth across both young and veteran players.
As the U.S. prepares to face Spain, Hayes has limited flexibility in adjusting her lineup while aiming for victories. The successful performance of Ashley Sanchez—who recently matched the NWSL record with 20 goals—has intensified competition in attacking positions, forcing Hayes to make difficult choices. Shaw and Sentnor’s participation with the U-23s, despite injuries in the senior squad, demonstrates the depth of available talent. This also reassures players that they have opportunities for return to the senior team if they maintain impressive performances.
Hayes believes it’s essential to develop the next generation of players, stressing that neglecting their growth for immediate World Cup success could hinder future successes for the team.
She is also utilizing over-age slots for the U-23s to ensure the senior team’s tactical vision is effectively communicated. Jordyn Huitema, who has previously seen time with the senior squad, is now being evaluated among the U-23 players, highlighting how fluid positions can be and emphasizing player development over form.
“This window is an excellent opportunity, especially since the U-23s will host the Dominican Republic,” Hayes noted. “In the next international round, the U-23s will go abroad, likely to face Germany, which will prompt different decisions at that time. For Jordyn, we chose to keep her with the U-23s so she can gain more caps, but we also felt it was timely to introduce her to the training environment. However, it’s fair to assume she may return to the U-23s soon, as that choice is about individual growth rather than performance.”
These transitions highlight how interconnected the senior national team is with the youth teams, a result of Hayes’s extensive experimentation to pinpoint top talent. The focus now is on fostering depth. Notably, talents like Naomi Girma, Catarina Macario, and Olivia Moultrie would be rostered with the senior squad if they were healthy, underlining the readiness required of U-23 players. Meanwhile, Savy King is rejoining the U-23s after her return from a health scare, embodying the unpredictable nature of player availability.
U-23 Roster
Goalkeepers (2): Angelina Anderson (Angel City FC; Danville, Calif.), Teagan Wy (Gotham FC; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Defenders (8): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; El Cajon, Calif.), Carolyn Calzada (Portland Thorns FC; Sugar Hill, Ga.), Kate Del Fava (Utah Royals FC; Kenosha, Wis.), Heather Gilchrist (Bay FC; Boulder, Colo.), Savy King (Angel City FC; West Hills, Calif.), Leah Klenke (Houston Dash; Houston, Texas), Ayo Oke (Denver Summit FC; Lawrenceville, Ga.), Jayden Perry (Portland Thorns FC; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Midfielders (6): Kimmi Ascanio (San Diego Wave FC; Doral, Fla.), Gia Corley (San Diego Wave FC; Tacoma, Wash.), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; Roswell, Ga.), Ally Lemos (Orlando Pride; Glendora, Calif.), Ally Sentnor (Angel City FC; Hanson, Mass.), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; Frisco, Texas)
Forwards (8): Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Wave FC; San Diego, Calif.), Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC; Edina, Minn.), Jordynn Dudley (Gotham FC; Milton, Ga.), Mia Fishel (Seattle Reign FC; San Diego, Calif.), Caiya Hanks (Portland Thorns FC; Kailua-Kona, Hawaii), Jameese Joseph (Utah Royals FC; Beltsville, Md.), Karlie Lema (Bay FC; Morgan Hill, Calif.), Kat Rader (Houston Dash; Stuart, Fla.)
This news is crucial for soccer fans as it underscores the U.S. Women’s National Team’s commitment to building a sustainable future through the development of young talent. It signifies that not only are the current players being nurtured for immediate success, but the groundwork is also being laid for the strength of the team in future tournaments.
Source: www.cbssports.com
