Seven players from NWSL finalists Gotham FC and Washington Spirit named to USWNT roster
Seven players from NWSL Championship finalists Gotham FC and Washington Spirit were called up to the U.S. Women's National Team for upcoming friendlies against Italy.
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The U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) announced its 26-player roster Wednesday for upcoming international friendlies against Italy, featuring seven players from the two clubs that contested the NWSL Championship final on Saturday: Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit.
Gotham FC contributed five players to the squad, including defenders Lilly Reale and Emily Sonnett, and midfielders Jaelin Howell, Rose Lavelle, and Jaedyn Shaw. The Washington Spirit saw two players called up: midfielder Croix Bethune and defender Kate Wiesner.
The call-ups follow the NWSL Championship game held in San Jose, California, where Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit faced off. The inclusion of seven players from the finalists underscores the depth of talent provided by the league's top teams to the national squad. The USWNT is scheduled to play Italy in two friendly matches, first on November 28 in Orlando, and then on December 1 in Fort Lauderdale.
Player Details
Among the Gotham FC contingent, Rose Lavelle (115 caps) and Emily Sonnett (112 caps) are two of the most experienced players on the roster, holding the second and third-most international caps, respectively, behind Lindsey Heaps (167 caps).
Midfielder Jaelin Howell, 25, earned a return to the USWNT roster for the first time since April 9, 2022, when she scored her first international goal against Uzbekistan. Howell made her USWNT debut in November 2020.
For the Washington Spirit, Croix Bethune's call-up marks her first since the summer friendlies against Ireland and Canada. Bethune, who has four senior team appearances, was an alternate at the 2024 Olympic Games, where she appeared in the group stage as the U.S. won the gold medal.
Defender Kate Wiesner earned her first call-up to the senior team and has the opportunity to make her USWNT debut during the upcoming window. Wiesner previously served as a training player for the side in May 2024, prior to the June friendlies against Korea Republic.
Rodman Omission
Notably absent from the roster was Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman. The 23-year-old forward was not included in the squad for the matches against Italy, despite traveling with the Spirit for the NWSL Championship game on Saturday.
Rodman is set to become a free agent this offseason. Negotiations regarding her future have reportedly reached the desk of NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. Rodman previously signed a four-year, $1.1 million contract after her rookie season, but the current NWSL salary cap structure restricts what the Spirit can offer compared to competition in Europe and elsewhere, putting her future in the league in question.
Rodman returned to the pitch for the Spirit in their semifinal match against the Portland Thorns last Saturday, playing the final minutes of the game.