Naomi Girma’s Return to the USWNT
Naomi Girma, a prominent defender for the United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT), is set to make her return after nearly five months away from the squad. Her comeback is timed with two friendly matches against Italy, the first taking place on November 28 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, followed by a rematch on December 1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The announcement comes from coach Emma Hayes, who has recently named a 26-player roster that also features two newcomers while notable absences include forward Trinity Rodman and goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Player Updates and Injuries
Despite her notable performances, Trinity Rodman will not participate as she is still recovering from a right knee MCL sprain which sidelined her since October, only recently returning to play with the Washington Spirit. Likewise, Tullis-Joyce, considered a potential lead goalkeeper, is out due to a fractured eye socket obtained while playing for Manchester United. She has accumulated four international caps since debuting with the national team in a victory over Brazil.
Challenges and Comebacks
Naomi Girma’s journey back to the national landscape has been a challenging one, plagued by several calf injuries since her record $1 million transfer to Chelsea in January. After being a vital player in the USWNT’s successful Olympic campaign in 2024—leading to praise from Hayes who labeled her as “the best defender I’ve ever seen”—she encountered setbacks that kept her away from the international stage during spring. Girma managed to return to play for Chelsea recently and will now contribute to the national team’s efforts against Italy.
Joining Girma as a returning player is midfielder Croix Bethune, who is also making her way back to the USWNT after recovering from injuries and having a strong playoff performance with the Washington Spirit. New faces such as Jordan Silkowitz and forward Jameese Joseph will be making their inaugural appearances with the senior national team as part of this training camp.
Team Development and Future Goals
Throughout 2023, Hayes has been trialing various players in an effort to fine-tune her squad ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. With 25 different players receiving caps in 28 matches this year, the team has faced its share of challenges, including losses to Japan, Brazil, and a surprisingly early defeat to Portugal—marking the first time the USWNT has lost four matches in a calendar year.
“This year has been filled with significant learning opportunities for our group, and we have worked diligently to expand the player pool and refine our game strategy,” Hayes commented. She emphasized that the upcoming matches against Italy are crucial for assessing team growth and preparing for their World Cup qualifying year in 2026.
Conclusion of the Year
Additionally, midfielder Jaelin Howell, picked second overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft, will rejoin the USWNT after a strong season with Gotham FC, who are currently competing for the NWSL Championship. Also included is Kate Wiesner, making her entry into the national team environment, following her commendable performance in the Spirit’s recent semifinal win.
These matches against Italy mark the conclusion of the USWNT’s activities for the current year before they commence their January training camp. Reports indicated that there were plans to play another European opponent in Seattle, but changes in UEFA Nations League standings led U.S. Soccer to commit to the games against Italy instead.
