USA Forwards to Miss England Friendly at Wembley

United States manager Emma Hayes will be without forwards Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson for their upcoming international friendly against England. These three players were instrumental in the USA’s gold medal win at Paris 2024, securing a 1-0 victory over Brazil. The trio has not been included in the USA’s 24-player squad for the match at Wembley on 30 November (17:20 GMT), due to what are termed “nagging injuries” that “need rest after a long year representing club and country”. Rodman, Smith, and Swanson, collectively known as the ‘triple espresso’, were members of the US team that earned gold in women’s football at the Olympic Games in Paris and were also among the nominees for the women’s Ballon d’Or. Hayes has selected two uncapped players for the squad: Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, 28, and 20-year-old Utah Royals FC forward Ally Sentnor. Arsenal defender Emily Fox is the sole other player from the Women’s Super League included in the roster. The USA is also scheduled to play a friendly match against the Netherlands in The Hague on 3 December. England’s most recent encounter with the USA occurred in a friendly at Wembley in October 2022, where the Lionesses achieved a 2-1 victory with goals from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway. Hayes, who departed Chelsea in May after securing 14 trophies over her 12-year tenure, remains unbeaten in her 13 matches as head coach of the US, with a record of 12 wins and one draw. “This is the end of a wonderful year, but we’re still at the beginning of our process of building towards qualifying for the next World Cup,” Hayes stated. She added, “So, this trip will be about testing ourselves against two world-class teams with opportunities to develop our roster. We will continue to build relationships on and off the field and I’m really excited to work with this group as we continue to set the stage for 2025.” England is expected to announce their squad on Tuesday. The complete USA squad selected is as follows: Goalkeepers: Mandy Haught (Utah Royals FC), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)Defenders: Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Eva Gaetino (Paris St-Germain), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Malonson (Bay FC), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris St-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)Forwards: Yazmeen Ryan (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals FC), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC)