5 players to watch during the USWNT's June and July friendlies

Even with the 2027 World Cup still two years away, the United States women's national team is already preparing to recapture its world title. The next step for Emma Hayes and the squad is a set of three friendly matches in late June and early July. The USWNT will play two matches against Ireland before facing old friend/rival Canada in the Continental Clasico.

Hayes has taken an interesting approach with roster selection for this window. With the European-based players in the middle of their offseason, Naomi Girma is the only European-based player called into camp. The rest are all NWSL players, including several with no previous national team experience. At the same time, players who haven’t been with the USWNT in recent camps have been recalled. Here are five players who are worth watching closely during the upcoming friendlies.

Jordyn Bugg

Just 18 years old, Bugg wouldn’t have been called into camp if Hayes didn’t like what she’s seen early in her NWSL career. Despite playing for an offensively challenged Seattle Reign team, Bugg has been a key part of Seattle having one of the best defensive records in the league.

Keep in mind that during her junior and senior years of high school, Bugg trained with the San Diego Wave, so she’s been competing with NWSL players for a few years. She also had a chance to learn directly from Girma while training with the Wave. If she can impress during national team camp, Bugg will have a chance to throw her hat in the ring among the other candidates to play alongside Girma at center back for the USWNT.

Lilly Reale

It’s officially audition season for the USWNT at left back. The roster includes Kerry Abello, who played 90 minutes against Jamaica earlier this month, as well as Reale and Izzy Rodriguez, who are both uncapped. Reale is a few years younger than Abello and Rodriguez, making her the more intriguing prospect. She rebounded from a rough start to the NWSL season to become Gotham’s regular left back.

Jenna Nighswonger held that spot for most of last season, giving Reale big shoes to fill. Nighswonger is also her top competition at left back for the national team. But since she’s now at Arsenal and wasn’t called into this camp, Reale, Abello and Rodriguez all have a chance to prove to Hayes that they can also be a viable option for the USWNT at that position.

Croix Bethune

Bethune is finally making her return to the national team. She was part of the Olympic gold medal squad last summer before tearing her meniscus last August while throwing out the first pitch at an MLB game. Of course, that season-ending injury didn’t prevent her from earning NWSL Rookie of the Year and Midfielder of the Year honors.

Now that she’s healthy, Bethune can get back to claiming a spot as one of the USWNT’s most important players. Granted, expectations should be toned down a little. Bethune has just one goal this season while playing in just seven of the Washington Spirit’s 12 NWSL matches. She also has just three previous appearances with the national team. That being said, Bethune should have a promising future with the national team, so it’ll be exciting to have her back on the field for the upcoming matches.

Olivia Moultrie

Even with two goals in seven matches, Moultrie has struggled to break into the USWNT lineup. She played just 36 total minutes across the friendly matches against China and Jamaica during the last international window. However, she’s been one of the best attacking midfielders in the NWSL this season, helping the Portland Thorns make up for the absence of Sophia Wilson.

That has given Moultrie another chance to translate her NWSL success into national team success in the upcoming friendlies. Given that she’s still only 19, it’s hard to expect too much from her at the international level. On the other hand, Moultrie has so much ability and positional versatility, making her the type of player Hayes would love to have performing consistently.

Emma Sears

This will be another interesting window for the USWNT’s attacking players. Alyssa Thompson has proven to be a dangerous player across the last several international windows. Meanwhile, Michelle Cooper and Ally Sentnor stole the show against China and Jamaica a few weeks ago.

Yet, it’s Sears who continues to perform at the club level. Her six NWSL goals put her among the league leaders. She’s made two USWNT appearances this year but failed to make much of an impact either time. Scoring goals for Racing Louisville has earned her another national team invite, although, at some point, Sears has to start scoring goals for the USWNT, especially with the impressive amount of depth at that position.