Trinity Rodman returns for USWNT friendlies vs. Brazil in April

Laken Litman

College Football & Soccer Analyst

Emma Hayes has called in 24 players to participate in the United States women’s national team’s next training camp and the biggest name on this roster is a welcome one. Trinity Rodman returns to the squad for the first time since the 2024 Paris Olympics after recovering from a back injury. Rodman scored three goals and had an assist for the USWNT on its way to winning its first gold medal since the 2012 Games.

The U.S. will play two matches against Brazil in an Olympic gold medal rematch during this window. The first game takes place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 5, while the second is at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif. on Tuesday, April 8. While Hayes named 24 players on the roster, only 23 will suit up for each match.

Hayes brought back 19 of the 23 players from the SheBelieves Cup roster, and added a familiar face in Kansas City Current defender Alana Cook (who hasn’t played for the USWNT since October 2023) as well as Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson (who earned her first-ever senior national team call-up).

The group is still missing some big stars like Naomi Girma, Rose Lavelle and Mallory Swanson. Sophia Wilson, who recently announced that she is pregnant with her first child, will of course not be on a USWNT roster for a while. Jenna Nighswonger and Lynn Biyendolo are also out for this camp.

“This roster has Olympians returning, less experienced players continuing to try to prove themselves, a few uncapped players and some players who have seen and done it all,” Hayes said in a statement. “The mix of players along with two games against a dynamic Brazil team who we last saw in the gold medal game means this event will be a lot of fun.

“All of the players know they have to earn every roster spot, every starting spot and every minute they get as a finisher off the bench. Working with players who are striving for consistency in elite performance, so they can keep getting call-ups and keep excelling at this level, is an exciting process and one that continues with these two games.”

One of the more interesting parts of this roster is the fact that Hayes called up the same three goalkeepers as she did last camp. Jane Campbell, Mandy McGlynn and Phallon Tullis-Joyce (who served as a training player during the SheBelieves Cup) appear to be the top three favorites to succeed Alyssa Naeher, who retired at the end of 2024.

Hayes also invited Angel City FC goalkeeper Angelina Anderson to be a training player. She earned her first call-up in January.

Another wrinkle is that Chelsea forward Mia Fishel is back in the USWNT environment, also as a training player. This is Fishel’s first time with the squad since tearing her ACL ahead of last February’s Concacaf W Gold Cup. Fishel recently returned to Chelsea’s active roster and played a few minutes in the Blues’ March 23 win over Manchester City.

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals)

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 10), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 2), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 0)

DEFENDERS (8): Alana Cook (Kansas City Current; 29/1), Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 67/3), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA; 157/25), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 65/1), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit; 3/0), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 0/0), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 3/0), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 105/2),

MIDFIELDERS (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA; 25/1), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 31/1), Lindsey Heaps (Olympique Lyon, FRA; 163/36), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; 1/0), Jaedyn Shaw (North Carolina Courage; 24/8), Lily Yohannes (Ajax, NED; 4/1)

FORWARDS (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 2/1), Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 22/5), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG; 21/9), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 46/10), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash; 7/0), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals; 5/2), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 15/1)

Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of “Strong Like a Woman,” published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman.