USWNT head coach Emma Hayes is advancing the development of the national team`s player pool by selecting a 20-player U-23 roster for a training camp and friendly matches in Germany. This squad is set to play two games near Stuttgart on May 30 and June 2, marking the first fixtures for the revamped U-23 program under Hayes in 2025.
Hayes emphasized the importance of this opportunity, stating, “This is an incredible opportunity for our U-23 player pool to face top tier opponents in Europe and give them the valuable experiences that are much needed. We want to be very conscious of developing our players through different experiences, and as I have spoken about before, this will take the shape of some players playing in U-23 games and at other times being called in with the WNT. This is because we want to increase the diversity of high-level opponents that they get to compete against, but the methodology and coaching points between the teams will be exactly the same.”
The U-23 team will operate with its own coaching staff, led by University of New Mexico head coach Heather Dyche. Assisting Dyche will be Orlando Pride assistant coach Yolanda Thomas, former USWNT player and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Cox, and U.S. Youth National Team and former San Diego Wave goalkeeper coach Louis Hunt.
The roster consists of 15 players who are under 23 years old. In accordance with an agreement with Germany and European U23 regulations, each team`s roster can include up to five “over-age” players born before January 1, 1999.
The U-23 squad primarily features professional players, with 16 from the NWSL and three from European clubs. The only active collegiate player named is University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores.
Ten players on the roster have scored in the NWSL this season: Jordyn Bugg and Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC), Lilly Reale and Sarah Schupansky (Gotham FC), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage), Caiya Hanks (Portland Thorns FC), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC), Makenna Morris (Washington Spirit), and Riley Tiernan (Angel City FC).
U.S. U-23 WNT Roster
Goalkeepers (2): Angelina Anderson (Angel City FC; Danville, Calif.), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC; Fairfax, Va.)
Defenders (6): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; El Cajon, Calif.), Lauren Flynn (Utah Royals FC; Arlington, Va.), Emily Mason (Seattle Reign FC; Flemington, N.J.), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; Hingham, Mass.), Evelyn Shores (UNC; Atlanta, Ga.), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave; Rossmoor, Calif.)
Midfielders (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain FC, FRA; Grayslake, Ill.), Abi Brighton (Juventus FC, ITA; Beaufort, S.C.), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; Roswell, Ga.), Samantha Meza (Seattle Reign FC; Balch Springs, Texas), Sarah Schupansky (Gotham FC; Pittsburgh, Pa.), Jaedyn Shaw (North Carolina Courage; Frisco, Texas)
Forwards (6): Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC; Edina, Minn.), Mia Fishel (Chelsea FC, ENG; San Diego, Calif.), Caiya Hanks (Portland Thorns FC; Kailua-Kona, Hawaii), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; Beltsville, Md.), Makenna Morris (Washington Spirit; Germantown, Md.), Riley Tiernan (Angel City FC; Voorhees, N.J.)
Dominic Ashworth