Summer is officially here, and the U.S. Women`s National Team players are facing significant pressure to demonstrate they belong in head coach Emma Hayes` future plans. The USWNT is returning to action with a series of three friendly matches, including opponents Ireland and Canada. The Stars and Stripes will begin their summer schedule against Ireland on Thursday at DSG Park in Commerce City, Colorado. This match provides players with a vital opportunity to showcase their abilities and value to the national team pool.
Hayes has named a 25-player roster for these upcoming fixtures. The squad sees the return of players recovering from long-term injuries, notably Rose Lavelle and Croix Bethune. Several European-based players have been omitted for rest purposes, with the exception of vice-captain Naomi Girma, who is back with the team. Hayes continues her trend of integrating uncapped players into the squad, a common theme throughout 2025 under her management.
The head coach has been open about using this year for player evaluation in preparation for the 2027-28 cycle. She has also outlined a clear timeline to refine the expanded player pool before next year`s Concacaf W Championship, which will serve as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women`s World Cup in the region.
Here`s what you need to know about the match, including viewing information:
Match Details and Odds
- Date: Thursday, June 26
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: DSG Park, Commerce City, Colorado
- TV: TBS
- Live stream: Max
- Odds: USA -600 ; +525 Draw; Ireland +1100
Recent Encounters
The two sides last met in a pair of friendly matches in 2023. The USWNT secured two narrow victories, winning 2-0 and then 1-0. These games were notable as Mallory Swanson suffered a torn left patellar tendon, an injury that ruled her out of the 2023 FIFA Women`s World Cup. Goals were scored by Lindsey Heaps, Emily Fox, and Alana Cook across the two matches; none of these players are currently on the roster for this camp.
USWNT Perspective
With several usual starters absent from this camp, Hayes will rely on more experienced players to take on leadership roles. Naomi Girma has been a consistent presence since 2022, but the most capped players currently in the squad are Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, and forward Lynn Biyendolo.
Biyendolo has often featured off the bench for the coaching staff in 2025, potentially signaling her role as the squad prepares for World Cup qualifiers. This is far from a minor role; she has already scored three goals for the team this year. With a less experienced forward group in this camp, she has quickly become a leader among the attackers.
`You just wake up one day and you`re like, `Oh, I`m the veteran now.` And I feel like that`s happened to me,` Biyendolo commented ahead of the matches. `With so many new players, there is so much talent in the pool and on this team right now. But there are things I had to learn along the way from veterans as well, and so hopefully I can impart some wisdom and experience on these younger players, and hopefully it sticks with them.`
She added, `Anytime you can find yourself in a veteran seat, it means you`ve been here for a while, and knowing that is an honor and exciting in itself. Anytime you put on the crest, it`s an honor. But knowing I have been here long enough to be considered that is something you only dream of when you`re younger. So it`s an honor, but it`s a huge responsibility, and I don`t take that lightly.`
Ireland Perspective
Ireland head coach Carla Ward wants her squad to fully embrace the challenge of facing the world`s top-ranked team. The Girls in Green are looking ahead to the UEFA Nations League playoffs, and these matches against the USWNT provide crucial preparation.
`The two games against USA are an opportunity for us to work together on a number of things – both on and off the pitch – as we build towards the UEFA Nations League playoff against Belgium in October,` Ward stated. `We will be coming up against the best team in women`s football, so we will have a plan for those games, but it`s also important that we make the most out of this camp as a whole.`
She continued, `When these games were first proposed to us, we knew we would be without certain players, but that opens the door for others to step up. We are building, camp by camp, so we are looking forward to getting together again and putting in some extra work that will stand to us moving forward.`
Predicted Starting Lineups
USWNT
Claudia Dickey; Avery Patterson, Emily Sonnett, Naomi Girma, Lily Reale; Sam Coffey, Rose Lavelle, Croix Bethune, Michelle Cooper, Lynn Biyendolo, Alyssa Thompson
Ireland
Courtney Brosnan; Jessie Stapleton, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki; Denise O`Sullivan, Megan Connolly, Marissa Sheva, Kyra Carusa; Abbie Larkin, Amber Barrett
Players to Watch
Avery Patterson, USWNT
The outside back has impressed in her limited appearances with the national team. She shows good decision-making and covers ground effectively. She provided an assist on one of Lynn Biyendolo`s goals in the last window and has another chance here to make her case to the coaching staff for a consistent role moving forward.
Courtney Brosnan, Ireland
Brosnan has been Ireland`s primary goalkeeper since 2020, following her progression through the youth programs. The Everton keeper is a skilled shot-stopper and remains composed under pressure. A strong performance in goal could certainly frustrate the USWNT attack.
Prediction
Ireland is known for bringing a physical challenge when facing the USWNT. Both squads feature younger, less experienced players in this camp, which may lead to periods of adjustment during the match. However, the USWNT should ultimately find a way to secure the win.
Predicted Score: USA 2, Ireland 0
Benedict Kingsley