As summer officially arrives, the USWNT is gearing up for a series of friendly matches against Ireland and Canada. These games represent a critical period for players aiming to secure their place in head coach Emma Hayes` plans for the future. The U.S. women`s national team kicks off this summer window by facing Ireland on Thursday at DSG Park in Commerce City, Colorado. It`s a significant opportunity for players to demonstrate their value to the squad.
Hayes recently announced a 25-player roster for these fixtures. The squad sees the return of players recovering from long-term injuries, including Rose Lavelle and Croix Bethune. Several players based in Europe have been omitted to allow for rest. Vice-captain Naomi Girma is back with the team, which also features additional uncapped players – a pattern frequently seen during Hayes` tenure, particularly looking towards 2025.
The head coach has been transparent about using this year for player evaluations ahead of the 2027-28 cycle. She has also indicated a clear timeline for narrowing down the expanded player pool before next year`s Concacaf W Championship, which serves as the regional qualifier for the FIFA Women`s World Cup.
Match Details
- Date: Thursday, June 26
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: DSG Park — Commerce City, Colorado
- TV: TBS
- Live stream: Max
- Odds: USA -600 ; +525 Draw; Ireland +1100
Last Encounter
The sides last met in a pair of friendlies in 2023, resulting in two close victories for the USWNT (2-0 and 1-0). Those matches were notable for Mallory Swanson sustaining a left patellar tendon tear, which ruled her out of the 2023 World Cup. The goalscorers from those games – Lindsey Heaps, Emily Fox, and Alana Cook – are not part of the current camp roster.
USWNT Perspective
With some regular starters absent from this camp, experienced players are expected to step into leadership roles. Naomi Girma has been a team staple since 2022. The most capped players in the current squad are Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, and forward Lynn Biyendolo.
Lynn Biyendolo has often featured off the bench under the current coaching staff in 2025, perhaps indicating her expected role as the squad prepares for World Cup qualifiers. This isn`t viewed as a demotion; she has already scored three goals for the team this year. With a less experienced forward group, she has quickly become a key leader in the attack.
Reflecting on her role, Biyendolo stated, “You just wake up one day and you`re like, `Oh, I`m the veteran now.` And I feel like that`s happened to me… there are things that I had to learn along the way from veterans as well, and so hopefully I can impart some wisdom and some experience on these younger players, and hopefully it sticks with them.” She added, “Anytime you can find yourself in a veteran seat, it means that you`ve been here for a while, and knowing that is an honor… Anytime you put on the crest, it`s an honor. But knowing I have been here long enough to be considered that, is… something you only dream of when you`re younger. So it`s an honor, but it`s like a huge responsibility, and I don`t take that lightly.”
Ireland`s View
Ireland head coach Carla Ward is encouraging her squad to seize the opportunity to face the world`s top-ranked team. For the `Girls in Green`, this match serves as vital preparation for the upcoming UEFA Nations League.
Ward commented, “The two games against USA are an opportunity for us to work together on a number of things – both on and off the pitch – as we build towards the UEFA Nations League playoff against Belgium in October. We will be coming up against the best team in women`s football, so we will have a plan for those games, but it`s also important that we make the most out of this camp as a whole.” She acknowledged, “When these games were first proposed to us, we knew that we would be without certain players, but that opens the door for others to step up. We are building, camp by camp, so we are looking forward to getting together again and putting in some extra work that will stand to us moving forward.”
Predicted Lineups
USWNT: Claudia Dickey; Avery Patterson, Emily Sonnett, Naomi Girma, Lily Reale; Sam Coffey, Rose Lavelle, Croix Bethune, Michelle Cooper, Lynn Biyendolo, Alyssa Thompson
Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Jessie Stapleton, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki; Denise O`Sullivan, Megan Connolly, Marissa Sheva, Kyra Carusa; Abbie Larkin, Amber Barrett
Players to Watch
Avery Patterson, USWNT: The outside back has been delivering impressive performances early in her national team career. Her decision-making is sharp, and she covers ground tirelessly. She provided an assist on one of Lynn Biyendolo`s goals in the last window and has another chance here to impress the coaching staff and cement her place in the core group moving forward.
Courtney Brosnan, Ireland: The Everton goalkeeper has been Ireland`s primary choice since 2020, following extensive time in their youth programs. Brosnan is known as a clinical shot-stopper who remains composed under pressure. A strong performance in goal could prove frustrating for the USWNT attack.
Prediction
Ireland typically brings a physical style of play against the USWNT. Both squads feature a mix of younger, less experienced players, which might lead to periods requiring adjustments during the game. However, the USWNT is expected to find a way to secure the win.
Pick: USA 2, Ireland 0
