5 USWNT players to watch in upcoming China and Jamaica friendlies | OneFootball

There are plenty of familiar names on the latest USWNT roster, including Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Heaps, and Naomi Girma. But with 13 players called into the squad -- including all three goalkeepers -- having five caps or fewer, Emma Hayes is giving younger players a chance.

Here are five players to watch closely during the upcoming friendlies, as they try to prove they deserve to be core members of the USWNT.

Tara McKeown

It’s a given that Naomi Girma will be starting at center back in any meaningful game for the foreseeable future. But the center back spot next to her remains unspoken for, especially with Tierna Davidson sidelined by another long-term injury. In recent international windows, McKeown has emerged as a strong candidate to push veteran Emily Sonnett for the spot alongside Girma.

McKeown enjoyed a breakout season with the Washington Spirit last year, making the NWSL Best XI second team. That success has helped her earn five caps since February. During this window, she’ll have a chance to play with Girma, giving Hayes a chance to evaluate a potential Girma-McKeown partnership to see if that could be the USWNT’s center-back pairing of the future.

Kerry Abello

Abello is one of two outfield players called into camp who are uncapped at the international level. With her steady play during Orlando’s championship season in 2024, she’s earned her shot with the national team. Abello was Orlando’s only outfield player to appear in every game of the NWSL regular season in 2024, starting all but one match, so she was critical to the Pride’s success.

Similar to McKeon, her efforts earned her NWSL Best XI Second Team honors. However, with Jenna Nighswonger being a rising star at left back and veteran Crystal Dunn still in the picture, Abello may not get a lot of opportunities to prove herself with the USWNT. So she needs to seize any chance she gets at this level.

Claire Hutton

United States v Brazil - International Friendly | Erin Chang/ISI Photos/USSF/GettyImages

Even at age 19, Hutton looks like she could be a rising star with the USWNT. The fact that Hayes called her into camp this window while Korbin Albert plays with the under-23 squad speaks volumes. Hutton impressed Hayes enough in April’s 2-1 loss to Brazil to get another call-up.

Of course, she’s continued to impress with the Kansas City Current, contributing to their NWSL-best defensive record, while also chipping in two assists from her defensive midfield spot. Hayes has long preferred Sam Coffey in that position, although Hutton may have emerged as the top contender at that position, making her a young player to watch despite just two caps to her name.

Emma Sears

With Rodman, Wilson, and Swanson all sidelined, now is the time for other attacking players to leave a lasting impression. Sears made a strong first one with the USWNT, notching a goal and an assist in her international debut last October. But she hasn’t made much of an impact otherwise, and she barely played during the SheBelieves Cup in February.

The good news is that she’s getting another opportunity with the USWNT after scoring five goals in 10 games for Racing Louisville during the early part of the NWSL season. However, even with the “Triple Espresso” trio out for now, there is a lot of competition. If Sears doesn’t perform during this window, she risks falling out of favor and not getting another chance.

Alyssa Thompson

It’s head-scratching that Thompson has just one international goal because she’s arguably been the USWNT’s best attacking player since last summer’s Olympics. Thompson has also been one of the elite attacking players during the early part of the NWSL season, contributing five goals and two assists across nine matches for Angel City, on par with the likes of Temwa Chawinga and Barbra Banda.

As a result, Thompson is in line to play a lot of minutes during the upcoming window. Even once Rodman, Wilson, and Swanson eventually return, Thompson should be part of the picture. However, international windows like this one are her chance to prove that she can handle being the main figure in the USWNT’s attack and belongs on the same level as Rodman, Wilson, and Swanson.