USWNT December Roster Has Hints of Hayes-era Change 🇺🇸

It’s Monday, November 27th. Give us four minutes, we give you everything The Women’s Game.

“That one was for you Mum, Beth Mead scored a brace for Arsenal this Sunday as the Gunners beat West Ham 3-0. The pair of goals marked Mead’s first since her long return from ACL injury, ending a 428-day gap from her last WSL goal. “Worth the wait”, Mead said, dedicating the goal to her mother who passed away this past year. 

I. USWNT December Roster Has Hints of Hayes-era Change in Store 🇺🇲

Just as The Women’s Game landed in your inbox last Monday, the US Soccer Federation joined media over Zoom to discuss the USA’s December roster with interim boss Twila Kilgore, and Sporting Director Matt Crocker. 

The names unfurled just beforehand will face China twice over the coming week (on December 2nd and 5th), and include an inspiring medley of newcomers and veterans.

That said, notable legends have been left off, including Alex Morgan, Crystal Dunn, and Becky Sauerbrunn. That’s perhaps an early indication historic contributions alone will not suffice in a competitive joust to represent at the Olympics (a roster expected to allow for just 18 players named). That said, Kilgore emphasized none of these names are out of the picture. This camp is simply focused on assessing new talent. 

A number of fresh faces will be given more space to show their potential. Of the 26 players called to camp, 11 of them have represented the US in single-digit numbers. Only six of them have collected 50 or more appearances. NWSL Rookie of the Year Jenna Nighswonger and PSG’s Korbin Albert appear for their first full training camp. And the newly capped, hot off their first national team goal duo Jaedyn Shaw and Mia Fishel are back for more this December. 

One final note of excitement: according to Matt Crocker, the federation is “very much hopeful” that Emma Hayes will make it to camp to meet and observe the players. 

MORE: A look at the Steel Roses ahead of their two-match test with the USWNT

II. 2027 World Cup host candidates whittle down to three 🏆

Last Friday, South Africa officially withdrew their bid to host the 2027 World Cup. The hosts of the first-ever Africa-based Men’s World Cup cited timing as the impetus for their withdrawal, adding that they would focus on developing a bid for the 2031 edition instead. 

South Africa Football Association (SAFA) CEO Lydia Monyepao commented: 

“It is quite unfortunate that we have to pull out of bidding for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but after doing an assessment and consulting extensively, the decision had to be made. We felt that it was better to present a well-prepared bid for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and ensure we put our best foot forward, rather than producing a rushed presentation.”

Banyana Banyana are coming off a strong few years, as the current Champions of Africa achieved their strongest-ever finish at this summer’s World Cup. 

Bids are due December 8th, and FIFA is scheduled to vote on the official host May 17, 2024. Current bidding nations include Brazil 🇧🇷; the USA and Mexico 🇺🇲🇲🇽; as well as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands 🇩🇪🇧🇪🇳🇱. 

III. UWCL Matchday Two 🌍

Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side recovered from a controversial draw in Spain to collect a resounding win at Stamford Bridge last Thursday. Sam Kerr was the belle of the ball, which she sent three times past Paris FC including a sensational chip that won the UWCL Goal of the Week. A stoppage time goal from Sophie Ingle added a fourth, giving the Blues a 4-1 statement victory in their second match for the group stage. But the crowd was light in numbers, sparking spirited debate online over a headline’s focus on empty seats. 

Barcelona, the star-studded reigning UWCL crown-holders, won 3-1 in their visit to Frankfurt. But not before going down early as Laura Freigang pounced from the air. Salma Paralluelo, whose well-timed World Cup goals powered her team to the final this summer, booked a second-half brace to join Mariona Caldentey in turning Barca’s tide toward three points.  

Elsewhere, Roma continued their strong start with a 3-0 win over Ajax and sit atop Group C. Rather glaringly, PSG has yet to collect any points, and sit at the same group’s bottom. 

Lyon won by ‘only’ two goals against St. Pölten, a small margin compared to last week. Ada Hegerberg talked about high expectations for a team on top. 

And Gothenburg-based Häcken are an early surprise. One of just four sides to collect two wins from two games, Häcken collected their first group stage UWCL home-victory against Real Madrid last Thursday. They now sit atop Group D (leading a pack that includes Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris FC), and play Chelsea next. 

IV. News and Notes 📰

1. USA captain Lindsey Horan collected her fifth goal of the season with a tap-in at the back post as Lyon won away at Guingamp 5-1

2. After a wild quarterfinal round, the Women’s College Cup semifinals are set for December 1st. The US college championship will be determined by the winners of Florida State and Clemson, and BYU and Stanford

3. Christen Press talks about the pressures on NWSL’s footballers that are traded in the off-season as we gear up for 2024’s Expansion Draft 

4. Canada announces ticket sales climbing for Christine Sinclair final international match

V. Parting Shots

ROSE LAVELLE WITH A SWORD : Ohio’s official football flower, Rose Lavelle, hyped her hometown Major League Soccer side, FC Cincinnati, ahead of their playoff bout with the Philadelphia Union last Saturday night. FCC won 1-0. We can only imagine it’s because Lavelle led the pre-game party with a sword.