Two of the U.S. women’s national team’s dangerous attacking players are back in the fold after lengthy absences away.
Catarina Macario and Mallory Swanson headlined Twila Kilgore’s 23-player roster for the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday. Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Columbus’ Lower.com Field will host matches between the USWNT, Brazil, Canada, and Japan on April 6 and 9 respectively.
The Americans take on Japan on April 6 and will either play in the championship, or third place match on April 9.
“This is an evolving team that is eager to get back together and continue progressing,” said Kilgore who will coach in her final two matches as interim head coach before joining Emma Hayes’ staff as an assistant this summer.
“The W Gold Cup provided a lot of players with needed experiences and presented us with different adversities we had to overcome together. We will take all these experiences with us into SheBelieves and beyond. Of course, we’re thrilled to welcome back Mal and Cat and continue to incorporate some less experienced players into the mix.”
Swanson and Macario are both back in USWNT action after being sidelined long-term due to respective injuries. The 25-year-old Swanson has been sidelined since suffering a major knee injury in April 2023.
Macario, 24, is back playing at club level for English side Chelsea after also missing the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup due to a knee injury. She has scored two goals and added one assist since her return from injury.
Several veteran players have also been named in Kilgore’s roster including Alex Morgan, Lindsey Horan, and Abby Dahlkemper. 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender Eva Gaetino and 16-year-old Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes have received their first senior call-ups as well for the tournament.
Here is a closer look at the full USWNT roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS: Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC), Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Tierna Davidson (NY/NJ Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Eva Gaetino (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NY/NJ Gotham FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (AFC Ajax, NED)
FORWARDS: Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
Korbin Albert goes Tyler Adams in the CL today…go check the highlights.
Get your popcorn ready. This attack may be the best attack in the world with additions of Swanson and Macarrio. Pace, power, creativity galore.
Unfortunately Purce is out with an ACL
No Rose Lavelle, no Ashley Sanchez, no Lynn Williams We’re finally seeing the player pool being transformed. We’re also seeing more Euro-based players getting attention, showing the growth of the women’s game overseas. More competition for roster spots raises the bar..good to see.
Sanchez hasn’t been called for 3 camps in a row now. Williams and Lavelle are injured, but probably would be there if healthy.
This is a legit roster, and one we’ve been waiting to see as the youth infusion continues. They had to bring Lily Yohannes in, she’s been too good at the ripe old ae of 16, is shining playing in Champions League, and with the Dutch sniffing around to get her citizenship it was a no brainer…..Great Job US Soccer!
Right call to fast-track Yohannes with the Dutch coach oddly making proclamations that she wants to play for the Netherlands despite not having citizenship yet.
Hopefully Hayes is getting in her ear before and after the games Chelsea are playing Ajax in the CL
These are two huge pieces (Mac and Swanson) of the puzzle. And I’m looking forward to seeing more Korbin Albert…she was so impressive in the W Gold Cup and just scored a great goal for PSG. The midfield in general is interesting with only Horan, Sonnett and Coffey joined by three U20 eligible players. I’d like to the young ones get good run outs.
Concerned Swanson went out with an injury Sunday after a hyperextension tweak
Thought Albert was really promising as well. The additions or Macario and Swanson are critical for players who can combine, create, pass, and dribble in a possession game.
Exciting as this group continues to be refined.
Excuse me I meant Midge Purce not Swanson who got injured