'One of the best players in the world' - Emma Hayes welcomes Trinity Rodman back to the USWNT, while returning Jaedyn Shaw out to prove 'how much of that gap she's closed'

Trinity Rodman has said that she may never again be 100 percent physically, as she continually battles a recurring back injury. But that hasn't stopped her from scoring goals again for the Washington Spirit. Her numbers aren't seismic, but she has seven goal contributions in just more than 900 minutes. Those aren't bad numbers for someone whose back didn't work less than a year ago. 

And now she'll be back on the international side for the first time since April. And this time, Rodman is fit, firing, and ready to go.

"I know she's excited to come back in and play for a national team, but she's doing it in a place where I think she's had to build a lot of foundational work around her back," Hayes said. "She's one of the best players in the world, and we've had to play without her for more than a year. So I'm, of course, super excited that she's back in - but most importantly that she's here with us in a healthy place."

Jaedyn Shaw generated plenty of headlines this season for her apparent inability to settle at one club. Once one of the most hyped prospects in U.S. soccer while playing regularly for the San Diego Wave, she first moved to the North Carolina Courage for a bumper fee of $300,000. But she was never quite able to make good on the investment, struggling to find her spot in an inconsistent side. 

And then, Gotham came in. They offered $1.25M for her services, smashing the NWSL record to acquire the USWNT star. Hayes, in effect, reflected her lack of form by sending her to the Under-23 side during the last window. And even if Hayes insists that the camp is a natural extension of the senior team, it was impossible to ignore the fact that she was out of the spotlight. 

But now she's back, and Hayes believes she's ready to make an impact at a high level.

"She's has taken on board everything that we've been asking of her," Hayes said of the still only 20-year-old Shaw. "She's traded to Gotham. I think she's really starting to put all of those things together. She's an incredible goal threat in so many ways, and I think this is an opportunity for us to see, from the last time she's been in to now, how much of that gap she's closed."

Glance at the October camp roster, and you'll quickly notice that Crystal Dunn is not involved. A bona fide USWNT legend, Dunn was crucial in the early days of Hayes' tenure, and started every game during the U.S.'s 2024 Olympic triumph. She added some crucial veteran leadership to an otherwise youthful group.

But since then, she's struggled for opportunities. A move from Gotham to PSG in January 2025 figured to be a welcome change. Many women's stars were moving to Europe, and PSG are among the best sides on the continent. Yet it hasn't worked out for her in Paris. Dunn has been unable to crack the starting XI, and has played just more than 300 minutes of soccer in the last 14 months.

Hayes admitted that it's a bit harsh on the left back, whose USWNT journey really shouldn't be over yet. However, her lack of game time is a true concern.

"You know, she's available for selection for PSG, but she's not playing right now. She's not getting minutes, and she knows that," Hayes said. 

But Hayes backed her for future appearances for her the USWNT.

"I still believe there is a future for Crystal with the national team, not just because of her experiences, but because of her qualities," Hayes said. "But I've made it really clear that I want players to be competing and playing on a regular basis, and she understands that."

Hayes has been eager to hand out debuts, doing so at a feverish pace. The U.S.'s talent pool is deep, and after previous coaches established their favorites and stuck with them, Hayes has shown few qualms with experimenting. That meant fielding some of the youngest squads in national team history, while still keeping a core group together for the big games. 

But this time there are very few new looks. Only one player, in fact, is getting a first-time call up: Kennedy Wesley of the San Diego Wave. Her inclusion makes sense. She featured at a number of youth levels, played college ball at Stanford, and has done enough to suggest she could be in the mix amid a packed centerback group that is missing Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson. 

There is a more basic reason for her decision - Wesley has aged out of the U23 class. But Hayes backed her to perform.

"Obviously, I've watched all of her games," Hayes said. "I think she's come through the youth national team system, been a consistent performer. I think she's at a good age for us to see. Especially since we lost Tiana Davidson, you know, her ability and her progressive passing for the team - not just a diagonal play, but to bring the ball into midfield - really stands out for me. And so I'm really looking forward to seeing her work."

Part of Hayes' job over the past year has been overseeing a changing of the guard at the top of the American game. The failure at the 2023 World Cup forced the U.S. to confront a harsh reality: this team was too old.

A slew of retirements followed, Alex Morgan chief among them. She managed to step away from the side gracefully enough, and before the clash against Portugal in Chester, Pennsylvania, she will be officially acknowledged. Connecticut native and goalkeeping legend Alyssa Naeher will be similarly honored before the second Portugal match.

Hayes said it's the right thing to do.

"For Alex Morgan, where do you begin talking about somebody who I think has transcended the sport in so many ways? Not just by her performances on the field, but for what she's done for the sport off of it, she deserves her flowers and more. I'm looking forward to honoring her," she said. 

Hayes said the tradition could be a model for the rest of the world.

"I know that it's such an honor internally in the team for those things to be acknowledged," she said. "And actually, I think the rest of the world has taken tradition from the U.S., and I think this is something that is so important for us to recognize those who have come before us."