Emma Hayes’ first USWNT roster since Olympics shows she wants more new faces

Emma Hayes is ushering in the new era of the United States women’s national team with fresh faces on the October USWNT roster.

Hayes was required due to the USWNT’s CBA to call up all available players from the Paris Olympic roster, but she still brought in some new names and players we haven’t seen in over a year.

Here’s the 26-player roster that will play two friendlies against Iceland and one against Argentina this month.

USWNT October roster

Headin' South!

Your #USWNT October Training Camp Roster, presented by @JimBeam:

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 17, 2024

Tell a friend to tell a friend…

THE @USWNT IS BAAAACKK ️ pic.twitter.com/56aTKr1QsD

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) October 17, 2024

Hayes emphasized in her press conference that current form and how players are performing with their clubs influenced call ups to the roster.

#USWNT head coach Emma Hayes about current priorities:

1) 2027/28 strategy, which will roll out in January
2) Watching players outside the current/previous pool

"This is about a period for the best within the #NWSL that may have had looks in the past" [to get looks too]

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) October 17, 2024

Six players could make their first-ever appearance for the USWNT. For three of them this is their first time being named to the senior national team roster.

Six uncapped players on USWNT October roster

• Hal Hershfelt* (23-year-old, Washington Spirit)
• Emily Sams* (25-year-old, Orlando Pride)
• Eva Gaetino (21-year-old, Paris Saint-Germain)
• Alyssa Malonson (25-year-old, Bay FC)
• Yazmee Ryan (25-year-old, Gotham FC)
• Emma Sears (23-year-old, Racing Louisville)

Hayes also called up Ashley Sanchez and Alyssa Thompson who haven’t featured for the USWNT since the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Two of the biggest names missing from the roster are 17-year-old phenom Lily Yohannes and Catarina Macario. 

Yohannes made her first appearance for the USWNT during a friendly vs. South Korea this summer and scored during her debut. Yohannes is still eligible to play for Netherlands and hasn’t decided which country she will represent.

As for Macario she’s still getting back to form after recovering from a knee issue. Hayes wanted Macario to stay with Chelsea for this international break.

The USWNT will face Iceland on Oct. 24 (Austin, Texas) and Oct. 27 (Nashville, Tennessee) then host Argentina on Oct. 30 (Louisville, Kentucky).

With three friendlies, Hayes is expected to rotate the starting XI for each game.