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Emma Hayes, Lily Yohannes, Trinity RodmanGetty/GOAL
Ryan Tolmich

Trinity Rodman's return highlights Emma Hayes' USWNT squad for friendlies vs New Zealand and Portugal, with Lindsey Heaps, Lily Yohannes and Catarina Macario also back

Trinity Rodman is set to return to the U.S. women's national team as Emma Hayes has named a 26-player squad for the upcoming three-match October window. The U.S. will take on Portugal twice, and also play New Zealand during the window. With the call-up, Rodman returns to the USWNT for the first time since April after dealing with back issues.

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    A closer look at the squad

    Rodman, the Washington Spirit star, has battled a recurring back injury much of the year. That kept Rodman out from April to August, but the winger is seemingly back to her best, having netted four goals in her last six NWSL games.

    Rodman isn't the only player returning to the fold, as Lindsey Heaps, Lily Yohannes, Emily Fox, Catarina Macario and Phallon Tullis-Joyce are all back in the team after being rested during the last FIFA window.

    The squad features just one first-time call-up: San Diego Wave defender Kennedy Wesley, who has been capped by the U.S. up to the U23 level. The roster does still feature some newer faces, though, with Jordyn Bugg, Lilly Reale and Sam Meza all returning after making their debuts during the last international window.

    Jaedyn Shaw, meanwhile, is back with the group after recently playing with the U.S. U23s. Among the regulars also in the team are Sam Coffey and Rose Lavelle in the midfield, defender Emily Sonnett and Yazmeen Ryan, Emma Sears, Alyssa Thompson and Ally Sentnor in attack. Those missing from the squad include Naomi Girma, Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson.

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    The squad in full

    GOALKEEPERS: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis- Joyce (Manchester United)

    DEFENDERS: Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave)

    MIDFIELDERS: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Sam Meza (Seattle Reign FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes)

    FORWARDS: Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC)

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    World Cup build begins

    “We are extremely excited to get back together with the team,” Hayes said. “There has been a big gap from July until now and we’ve watched many club games. Now, it’s time to start the build towards qualifying for the 2027 World Cup. We want to maximize every minute we have together, push the players, and keep the momentum going. These three fantastic games ahead of us will help us do that.”

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    What's next?

    The U.S. will start the window against Portugal on Oct. 23 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania before facing the same opponent three days later in East Hartford, Connecticut. They'll then wrap up the window against New Zealand on Oct. 29 in Kansas City.

    The first two games will be special for a pair of USWNT legends, as Alex Morgan will be honored ahead of the match in Pennsylvania and Alyssa Naeher will be recognized ahead of the second in her home state of Connecticut.