Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey have returned to the U.S. women’s national team.
The defender and midfielder were sidelined with injuries, but highlight the USWNT’s October friendly roster from coach Emma Hayes. Neither player was fit for the U.S. matches against Brazil in June.
Both players feature in England’s FA Women’s Super League. Girma has not yet returned to league play — but has a match against Lyon in UEFA Women’s Champions League action on Wednesday and a league match against West Ham United on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Coffey earned her first start of the season with Manchester City in a 1-0 win against Charlton. Man City will face off with Real Madrid in Champions League action on Thursday before returning to WSL competition on Sunday against Arsenal. Both players will then head to the United States for friendlies against Spain.
“While we are very much looking forward to playing the World Cup champions, I keep coming back to the journey that we are all on together,” Hayes said, via a press release. “This camp will be about reestablishing connections after a long break, looking at a few players who haven’t been with us this cycle, and putting on the best performances we can in front of packed stadiums. Of course, our dual focus will also be on our final preparations for the World Cup qualifying tournament.”
Hayes also included uncapped players on the roster, including goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz from Bay FC, midfielder Evelyn Shores from Angel City FC, forward Trinity Byars from the San Diego Wave and forward Pietra Tordin from the Portland Thorns.
Also highlighting the roster is the current National Women’s Soccer League leading scorer Ashley Sanchez. Over the weekend, Sanchez scored her 20th goal of the season for the North Carolina Courage, tying the record set by Temwa Chawinga in 2024. There are four matches to go in the NWSL’s regular-season.
Sanchez currently has 28 appearances for the U.S., with three goals. Sanchez’ last call-up was in January 2025, but she has not made an appearance since October 30, 2024, against Argentina. Her last U.S. goal occurred on July 14, 2022, against Costa Rica in the 2022 Concacaf W Championship.
The United States will host Spain in two friendlies, beginning on October 10, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Three days later, on October 13, the two sides will face off at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
USWNT October Friendly (vs. Spain) Roster
GOALKEEPERS (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 11), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC; 0), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 7)
DEFENDERS (8): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 70/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 78/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 54/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 14/1), Lilly Reale (Boston Legacy FC; 9/0), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit; 12/0), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 11/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 7/1)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City FC, ENG; 46/5), Lindsey Heaps (Denver Summit FC; 178/40), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 20/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 122/29), Evelyn Shores (Angel City FC; 0/0), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Stars; 103/38), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 20/1)
FORWARDS (8): Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave FC; 0/0),Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 14/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 57/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 21/6), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage; 28/3), Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 32/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 63/25)
