The final U.S. women’s national team roster of 2023 has been announced with several exciting decisions made by interim head coach Twila Kilgore.
Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Jenna Nighswonger headlined Kilgore’s 26-player training camp roster for upcoming friendlies against China PR. The USWNT will face the Steel Roses on Dec. 2 at DRV PNK Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and on Dec. 5 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
These will be the final friendlies for the USWNT this calendar year.
“As we move forward with the next steps, we need more opportunities to see players from our pool in our unique National Team environment, in both training and games, so we can evaluate if and how they might contribute moving forward to the Olympics,” said Kilgore.
“We value these players who have recently been in camps or played in World Cup and were not chosen for this roster, and they are of course still a part of our pool, but we know what they bring on and off the field,” she added. “At the same time, we also need to continue to evaluate and bring along players in the right ways to give the team the best chance for success.”
2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year Nighswonger and Paris Saint-Germain’s Korbin Albert have been selected for their first full USWNT training camp. Mia Fishel and Jaedyn Shaw, who both earned their first USWNT caps and scored their first goals during the October window, have also returned to the squad.
Veteran players such as Lindsey Horan, Rose Laelle, and Emily Sonnett have also been named to the squad.
The USWNT has won 12 of its 16 matches in regulation in 2023 across all competitions. It will mark the first matches between the USWNT and China PR since the Summer of 2018.
Here is a closer look at the full USWNT roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 7), Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit; 1), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 16)
DEFENDERS: Alana Cook (OL Reign; 29/1), Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC; 79/0), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars; 50/1), Emily Fox (North Carolina Courage; 37/1), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 24/0), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red Stars; 41/0), M.A. Vignola (Angel City FC; 1/0)
MIDFIELDERS: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA; 0/0), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 5/0), Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC; 6/0), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 137/30), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign; 91/24), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 0/0), Emily Sonnett (OL Reign; 81/2)
FORWARDS: Mia Fishel (Chelsea FC, ENG; 2/1), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 21/5), Midge Purce (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 24/4), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 26/6), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC; 2/1), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC; 36/14), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 8/0), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 58/17)
Have to guess this change in roster strategy is due to Hayes hiring. No more victory laps and retirement party/cash grabs masquerading as games. Overdue to say the least.
left off morgan, naeher, sauerbrunn, sullivan, huerta, and sanchez. as i have said, they need to freshen up/refocus the team and take a 4 year horizon look at things.
kilgore: “we need more opportunities to see players from our pool in our unique National Team environment, in both training and games, so we can evaluate if and how they might contribute…[the regulars are] still a part of our pool, but we know what they bring on and off the field…”
Much like the MNT with January camps, Gold Cup, and El Cashico.