USWNT Names 26-Player Roster for October Friendlies Against Spain

The U.S. women's national team is gearing up for a pair of friendlies years in the making. The squad will take on Spain during the October international window, and head coach Emma Hayes has named a 26-player roster. The list combines 2024 Olympic gold medalists, in-form NWSL players, and first-time call-ups.

Stealing the headlines around this camp is North Carolina Courage forward Ashley Sanchez. The winger recently matched a league record for goals scored (20) in a single season after a positional shift at club. There are also three first-time call-ups on the roster -- Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave FC), Pietra Tordin (Portland Thorns), and Evelyn Shores (Angel City).

The squad will come together for the first time since June and try to build off a split series against Brazil. The 2026 FIFA World Cup over the summer extended the time apart, and now that the fall is here, it's a chance for the team to measure themselves up against one of the world's best. The games will also serve as final prep for the Concacaf W Championship, the region's World Cup and Olympic qualifier.

"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," said Hayes. "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."

Back on the roster are defender Naomi Girma and midfielder Sam Coffey. Girma has been managing an injury and has yet to make her debut with Chelsea FC this season, though Hayes revealed that she sustained a knock in training on Tuesday and may have to withdraw from the roster. Coffey, meanwhile, has worked her way back into minutes with Manchester City from minor knee surgery in mid-May.

Mallory Swanson returned from maternity leave in June, though she didn't feature in the summer series. She recently made her return to the pitch from a hip injury with the Chicago Stars. The big shift is her position on the roster: Swanson, who featured prominently as one-third of Hayes' preferred attacking trio, "triple espresso," is now listed for this camp as a midfielder.

USWNT October roster

Listed by position (club; caps/goals)

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)

Sanchez 'fulfilling her potential'

Sanchez's lights-out form with the Courage was as compelling an argument as any for her return to the national team, something Hayes noted after commending the player for a strong season in the NWSL.

"I think Ashley's had an extraordinary season, not just in terms of the number of goals she's scored but I think consistency in her performance," Hayes said in a Tuesday press conference. "I think she's deserving of that based on this season's play. I didn't see that last season nor the season before so I think it's been a big step up for her and I think at her stage of her career, I'm sure she doesn't want to waste the opportunities that are in front of her. I think the experience she has -- this is a player that was always tipped for great things as a youth national team player and so I'm happy to see her fulfilling her potential."

Sanchez's standout play was part of the reason younger players like Jaedyn Shaw and Ally Sentnor will instead play with the U-23 national team during the upcoming international break, both to ensure the pair get more playing time but because competition for minutes in attack is as fierce as it has ever been. The U-23 roster will be named on Wednesday and will run a concurrent training camp with the senior team at the national training center beginning on Oct. 6.

"As I've said many times, I want to prioritize the development of players and I don't want less experienced players always sitting on the bench and playing few minutes, so for Ally and for Jaeydn, the decision was taken for them to go to the [U-]23s," Hayes said. "They're still central to our plans but also, I think with Ashley Sanchez performing the way she has and Trinity Byars performing the way they have, there is a competition for places and I've spoken to them both. They understand the importance of their development."

Hayes' continued focus on development

Four uncapped players made the cut, three of whom are newcomers to the national team in Byars, Shores and Tordin. Much like Sanchez's recall, the players earned the reward for their impressive play at the league level.

"I think Pietra Tordin has been exceptional this year," Hayes said. "She really has. If you look at her numbers, you look at how she's adapted, not just playing out wide, but as the [No.] 10, [she's] been unbelievable and then you got Trinity Byars, who is amongst the top four goalscorers in the country. You don't always find a lot of No. 9s that can do a combination of stretch well and come to feet well and I think she's been brilliant and I don't want to wait to look at her. Yes, we could have put her with the [U-]23s but I think this is the right opportunity to train her around the players and get that sense. I think with Evelyn Shores, I think if you ask any Angel City fan, they'll tell you she's had an exceptional season. I think the reason to bring her in is one of merit, too."

Hayes played her cards close to her chest on the ability of this trio to crack the Women's World Cup roster next summer but believed time with the senior national team in October would be valuable to each player's development.

"You can't always park the development of the generation that will be there for tomorrow so if I solely prioritize the World Cup, then I won't get the opportunity for players that could and will be impactful for this team in 2028 or 2031," Hayes said. "I think [Shores] is a player that I think could grow within the program. Maybe not, for all three of them, for 2027 but as we know, we still have to give opportunity for those that are performing, they're growing,and they have a chance of making the roster and I want to make sure that the players understand that I do care about what happens on a league level."