USWNT interim head coach Twila Kilgore has named the 23-player roster for the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, which will take April 6 and 9 in Atlanta and Columbus, Ohio, respectively.
The squad includes Catarina Macario, who has not played for the USA since April 12, 2022, and Mallory Swanson, who has not played since April 8, 2023. Both suffered knee injuries.
Also included in the squad for their first call-ups are 16-year-old Ajax star Lily Yohannes and 21-year-old Paris St. Germain defender Eva Gaetino, who scored in her UEFA Women’s Champions League debut on March 20.
Kilgore called up what is believed to be a record six European-based players, five of whom are on teams playing in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Four players who were part of the squad that won the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup are not back: Becky Sauerbrunn, Rose Lavelle (“mostly a preventative measure,” according to Kilgore), Midge Purce and Lynn Williams.
U.S. Roster:
Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders (8): Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave), Crystal Dunn (Gotham FC), Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal, ENG), Eva Gaetino (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC)
Midfielders (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Horan (Lyon, FRA), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax, NED)
Forwards (6): Catarina Macario (Chelsea, ENG), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)
I would not read too much into the vets left off the roster. Becky is near retirement and all are known qualities.
The cup is intended to be competition preparation, and the selections indicate that the returning vets and new players will get significant playing time, which is smart coaching.
Please don’t bring in these young players and not use them.
Curious what Yohannes can do. She’s the creative in the Ajax 4-3-3, would like to see how she plays with Macario. We need more unpredictability and less direct play.