Emma Hayes has named a 26-player U.S. women’s national team squad that will gather for a training camp in Los Angeles this month. However, the list of players does not include some names that have become synonymous with the team over the early part of Hayes’ tenure as head coach.

A big part of the reason for the absences is the timing of the training camp. Because it takes place in January outside of a FIFA window, European teams that are currently in-season are not obligated to release their players for international gatherings.

That factor also explains why there are no games associated with the camp, and why several of the team’s biggest domestic-based stars will also be missing out. For both the women’s and men’s U.S. national teams, the January camp is primarily a way for the head coach to get a first-hand look at younger or less-used players, and also is an opportunity for players to start getting back into game shape ahead of the domestic league seasons.

Chief among the notable absences in this USWNT squad are the three-pronged frontline of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson. The trio, nicknamed ‘triple espresso,’ turned heads with their dynamic play as the U.S. captured gold at the 2024 Olympics last year.

Among the European-based players missing is Korbin Albert. The midfielder, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France’s Ligue 1 Femenin, is seen as an up-and-coming fixture in the squad by Hayes, who has served as something of a mentor as Albert has been the subject of controversy due to her past anti-LGBTQ+ social media activity.

“[We’ll] have a week’s training to really deepen the very things that we haven’t actually had a lot of chances to do,” Hayes told reporters on Tuesday. “I’m getting the opportunity to build the program and develop the playing pool.”

Emma Hayes talks to Korbin Albert during a training session

Korbin Albert continues to be a top selection for the USWNT’s match sheet ( 

Image:

Getty)

The squad does include a fair bit of experience in its ranks, with defender/midfielder Crystal Dunn returning after missing friendlies in the fall, along with fellow vets defender Emily Sonnett, forward Lynn Williams and defenders Tierna Davidson and Naomi Girma.

The squad will train alongside another “futures” camp also named by Hayes on Wednesday, which includes young players from NWSL and U.S. youth teams that could break through to the full side.

“January camp is, beyond week one of preseason, an opportunity to deepen the connections, the communication in our playing style and to do it in a way where we don’t have a pressured game come the end of the week,” Hayes said.

FULL USWNT SQUAD:

GOALKEEPERS (4): Angelina Anderson (Angel City FC; 0), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 0), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 1), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage; 20)

DEFENDERS (9): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 65/3), Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 155/25), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC; 44/2), Alyssa Malonson (Bay FC; 1/0), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit; 0/0), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 18/2), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 2/0), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 103/2), Ryan Williams (North Carolina Courage; 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 28/1), Savannah DeMelo (Racing Louisville FC; 7/0), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit; 3/0), Nealy Martin (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 0/0), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage; 28/3), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals; 2/0), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC; 21/8)

FORWARDS (6): Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit; 22/5), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 3/1), Ella Stevens (NJ/NY Gotham FC; 0/0), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 13/1), Morgan Weaver (Portland Thorns FC; 2/0), Lynn Williams (Seattle Reign FC; 75/21)