NWSL CHAMPIONSHIP Sat 8 pm on CBS
It’s all eyes on Kansas City, as the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit take the pitch one last time in Saturday’s NWSL Championship. The No. 1 Pride are staring down their first-ever title, while the No. 2 Spirit look to tack on another star after their 2021 win.
The matchup: With the head-to-head advantage between the two teams, Orlando remains the only squad to defeat Washington twice this season.The Pride’s second win over Washington also served as their 2024 Shield coronation, while the same match saw Spirit captain Andi Sullivan sidelined with a season-ending ACL tear. Vets vs. rooks: NWSL newcomers have been stepping up for the Spirit all season, most recently via Hal Hershfelt’s equalizer against Gotham last weekend — a rocket of a header that helped propel Washington into the finals.The Pride’s strength lies in Brazilian icon Marta and Zambian sharpshooter Barbra Banda, who’ve proven unstoppable in the attack throughout the postseason. Bottom line: Expect things come down to whichever team manages to score at will, with Washington finishing second in the regular-season goals scored and Orlando following closely at third.Tune in: The NWSL Championship kicks off on Saturday at 8 PM ET, with live coverage on CBS.
US Men Impressive in 4-2 Shellacking of Jamaica
The US men looked world beaters in the first half as Poch Ball showed us what that can mean for a US team looking to attack. 2 Fantastic goals by Pulisic and a goal by our new #9 showed what the US might be in for pushing forward with Pulisic at the #10 slot. Wow !!
Funny I can’t find any stories on the MLS Playoffs on the Normal Sports Media – maybe showing all your playoff games on Apple is Backfiring — NO ONE CARES MLS !!
The College Showcase Season is upon us !
TV SCHEDULE
Games with US Players
Tuesday
- Slovan Bratislava vs AC Milan, 12:45p on Paramount+, FuboTV (free trial), TUDN USA, UniMás, ViX: Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and Milan are on the road in UEFA Champions League matchday 5.
Also in action:
- Burnley vs Coventry City, 2:45p on Paramount+: Luca Koleosho, Haji Wright injured (Champ rd 17)
- Barnsley vs Reading, 2:45p: Gaga Slonina (League One rd 11)
Wednesday
- Aston Villa vs Juventus, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juve get the Champions League party started for the day when they make the trip to Birmingham.
- Celtic vs Club Brugge, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Celtic host Belgian side Brugge in Champions League.
- Dinamo Zagreb vs Borussia Dortmund, 3p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV, ViX: Gio Reyna, Cole Campbell, and BVB visit Zagreb in Champions League.
- PSV Eindhoven vs Shakhtar Donetsk, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman, Richy Ledezma, and PSV host Shakhtar in Champions League.
Also in action:
- Red Star Belgrade vs VfB Stuttgart, 12:45p on Paramount+, ViX: Anrie Chase and Stuttgart visit Crvena Zvezda in Champions League.
- Leeds United vs Luton Town, 2:45p on Paramount+: Brenden Aaronson and Leeds host Luton in the Championship.
- Middlesbrough vs Blackburn Rovers, 2:45p on Paramount+: Aidan Morris and Boro host Blackburn in the Championship.
- América vs Toluca, 8p: Alex Zendejas and América are at home in Liga MX’s Apertura playoff quarterfinal.
Thursday
- Qarabağ vs Lyon, 12:45p on Paramount+, ViX: Tanner Tessmann and Lyon are on the road in Europa League.
- Midtjylland vs Eintracht Frankfurt, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Nathaniel Brown and Frankfurt visit Midtjylland in Europa League.
- Monterrey vs Pumas UNAM, 10:10p: Brandon Vázquez and Rayados host Pumas in another Liga MX Apertura playoff quarterfinal.
Also in action:
- Borac Banja Luka vs LASK Linz, 12:45p on Paramount+, ViX: George Bello and LASK are on the road in Europa Conference League.
- Heidenheim vs Chelsea FC, 12:45p on Paramount+, ViX: Lennard Maloney and Heidenheim host Chelsea in Conference League.
Friday
- Brøndby vs AaB, 1p: Justin Che and Brøndby host Aalborg in the Danish Superliga.
- Brighton vs Southampton, 3p: German-American manager Fabian Hürzeler leads Brighton in their home match against Southampton in the Premier League.
US Men
- Poch impressed by USMNT’s victory over Jamaica3dJeff Carlisle
- USMNT’s big win over Jamaica gives Pochettino era lift-off
- USMNT schedules January friendly with Venezuela4dJeff Carlisle
- https://the18.com/en/soccer-news/concacaf-nations-league-semifinal-seeding-benefits-usmnt/138931?utm_campaign=news&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=facebook-graphic&utm_content=article&utm_term&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3R76RHeVFYQA3Ho3Jlis-CtMsUE_Ny2E5UZt_kgii7I3bxJcU6LWmdgxI_aem_9yShnSW4GQRT-8y67MAcOw
Juve vs AC Milan
Milan star’s fitness concerns Fonseca ahead of Juventus clash
NWSL
NWSL Championship: Will Washington or Orlando win? Rodman or Marta to decide it?
In strategic shift, NWSL aims to be a great sports league first, women’s league second
A year after missing playoffs, Pride and Spirit meet in NWSL Championship Cincy, Cleveland, Denver NWSL expansion finalists
KC Current’s Chawinga named NWSL MVP How Michele Kang became one of the biggest investors in women’s soccerMeg Linehan
Caitlin Clark joins ownership group looking to bring NWSL team to Cincinnati
Soccer stars Sam Kerr, Kristie Mewis announce pregnancy
GK
GK Jordan Farr to DC United of MLS
MLS
Former Lionel Messi teammate set to take charge of Inter Miami
Christian Pulisic fronts USMNT flavor to a classic Italian rivalry
By Greg O’Keeffe and Pablo MaurerNov 22, 2024
It is no longer a coincidence or a quirk. Italy’s oldest and most-played derby now has a distinct flavor to it and it’s an undeniably American one.
On Saturday, Milan host Juventus in Serie A, with an expected four United States internationals in action, three points at stake, two of the most prestigious soccer brands in the world and one common thread — they both need to win.
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It was last October when Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah lined up in the famous red and black of Milan, facing compatriots Weston McKennie and Tim Weah for the first time.
Before that, no top-level Italian game had featured four Americans. They were at it again in April this year — a goalless draw after Juventus’ previous win — and now this time-worn fixture, so drenched in a rivalry that’s all about prestige, not location, has its Stars and Stripes subplot once more. Milan sits uncomfortably in seventh in the table after a fitful start, six points behind sixth-placed Juventus.
The urgency of this contest will not be lost on the growing audience of U.S. soccer fans tuning into Paramount’s coverage on Saturday morning, after the quartet all started the national team’s most recent two fixtures, both CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final wins over Jamaica last week.
From a USMNT standpoint, this is an elite cast.
Pulisic has had a scintillating sophomore season in Italy. He is his team’s leading goalscorer with five in 11 league appearances (plus two in the Champions League) and is tied with team-mate Rafael Leao for league assists, with three.
He has stepped up at big moments: scoring the winner against rivals Inter in September’s Derby della Madonnina, the bright spot of their domestic campaign so far.
It was the second of a four-game spree of excellence and Pulisic netted in all of them, also scoring and assisting against Liverpool and Real Madrid respectively in Europe.
He is winning rave reviews. “The Midas of Milanello … the centerpiece … there is no AC Milan without him,” declared Italy’s most-read newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport, earlier this month. “(Pulisic is) undoubtedly the most technically gifted player in the Rossoneri squad.”
Olivier Giroud, who until last season led the line for Milan and benefited from Pulisic’s deliveries, is busy preparing for his own big game in MLS at the weekend, a Western Conference semifinal against the Seattle Sounders.
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He told The Athletic he believes the U.S. playmaker has become one of Milan’s main men.
“Christian now is getting more mature in his game and getting more decisive and efficient,” he said from Los Angeles. “He is so important to that team, so I was not worried about his adaptation to Serie A.
“He just proved from the start of this season and so far that he is one of Milan’s key players. He can play different positions up front, he is very versatile, he is a key player for the team and for himself. He is doing really well and I hope he’s going to end this derby winning against his team-mate (McKennie) on the national team.”
Giroud has fond memories of facing Juventus. In May 2023, he scored the only goal as Milan beat their rivals at the Allianz Stadium.
“Scoring a winner (in that derby) is a great memory for me,” he said. “It was always nice to play in that stadium, obviously playing Juventus is always a big game. I think the team that will win that game will go forward with good momentum; both teams need consistency in their rhythm.
“It’s still the beginning of the season, but they need a big win to build on that game, to carry on good momentum. A derby is a game you need to win, no matter what. Here in LA, I could feel the enthusiasm from the fans surrounding this derby (the ‘El Trafico’ rivalry between LAFC and the LA Galaxy).
“It’s always a tough game, but you need to show the best version of yourself. If you don’t play 110 percent of your quality, you can always be disappointed. Those games (like Milan v Juventus) are special games, everybody is watching.”
For him, it is not unnatural that Saturday’s clash at the San Siro will have such an American theme.
“I am not surprised because these players have a good spirit,” Giroud added. “They listen to instructions and advice, they just have so many qualities. These are all very talented players.”
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Alongside Pulisic for Milan is 21-year-old Musah, himself enjoying a strong season and hitting form ahead of the Juventus showdown, after creating one of the goals in the USMNT’s 4-2 victory over Jamaica on Tuesday.
The former Valencia midfielder is held in high regard by Mauricio Pochettino, having started all four of the new USMNT manager’s games in charge and won positive reviews for his expansive midfield efforts in the 3-1 Champions League victory in Madrid.
Weston McKennie and Tim Weah enjoy an April victory (Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
In Turin, McKennie and Weah have had impressive campaigns. The former went from again being linked with a summer exit to signing a fresh contract under new manager Thiago Motta.
McKennie is battling hard for a regular spot and has started just four Serie A games this season, while scoring once and providing two assists in eight total appearances.
Then there is Weah. It has been an especially eventful five months for the 24-year-old in the context of an eventful two years.
In summer 2023, his potential at French club Lille was rewarded by Juventus, who signed him on a five-year contract. It was a symbolic move to Italy, the nation where his iconic father, George Weah, starred for Milan between 1995 and 2000.
He made 30 appearances in his first season and went into the Copa America high on confidence, only for his shock red card against Panama to contribute to the Americans being bounced from the tournament, an outcome that cost head coach Gregg Berhalter his job.
Weah has recovered strongly at club level, has scored four times in Serie A, and was described by McKennie after the Jamaica win as being in “flying” form.
“I’m happy for him as well because last year he was more in a defensive role,” McKennie told The Athletic. “It takes a little bit away from his characteristics because wingers aren’t normally used to running so much.
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“But he held up his role last year and then I think this year we can see a little bit more of a true Tim in the attacking position, taking players on, getting crosses off, scoring goals, getting in the box.
“I think it’s amazing for him. It’s always good to see a fellow American on the scoresheet whenever you can, so when he scores I’m normally the first one that gets up and is like, ‘Yeah! Let’s go, Tim!’.”
For Weah himself, Saturday’s game contains added emotional resonance given it is against the club his father won two Serie A titles with and was awarded the Ballon d’Or at the height of his prowess.
“It’s amazing. It’s a dream come true,” he said of his Italian experience. “You can see the progress in the national team, not just as being four players in Italy, but pretty much everyone’s playing in Europe.
“I think it’s the only way the sport’s going to get bigger here. You just have to keep leading that way and paving the way for the younger guys.” American influence in Serie A is felt emphatically on the financial front, with eight of the league’s 20 clubs having U.S. investors, including Jerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital in Milan. Atalanta and Fiorentina, who sit second and third consecutively in the league, have majority U.S. owners. On Saturday, however, it is the national team’s impact that will be part of the very fabric of the action, as the American footprint on a classic rivalry treads a little deeper.
USMNT advances to CONCACAF Nations League semifinals with goals from Pulisic, Pepi, Weah
By Paul Tenorio
Nov 18, 202
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ST. LOUIS — The U.S. men’s national team put on a show in a 4-2 win over Jamaica on Monday night, advancing to the CONCACAF Natins League semifinals for a fourth consecutive time.
The U.S. entered the night with a goal advantage from Thursday’s first leg but played some of its best soccer of the past year to take a three-goal lead into halftime before pulling out the win.
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It was smooth, controlled possession through the first 45 minutes and Jamaica looked overwhelmed. Christian Pulisic opened things in the 14th minute when he finished cleanly off a long ball played in by Weston McKennie and then caused the second goal in the 33rd minute after a nice combination up the right side in which McKennie’s pass back across the middle was dummied by Tanner Tessmann and Pulisic’s shot found the far post off a deflection.
Ricardo Pepi made it 3-0 in the 42nd minute with a finish to the far post from just atop the box and Tim Weah added a fourth in the second half. Jamaica scored either side of the Weah goal, but the U.S. was largely in control of the match.
It was a resounding win in Mauricio Pochettino’s first competitive home game as national team manager.
The U.S. will play in the Nations League semifinals in March as it looks to defend a three-consecutive title run. Panama is also through, with the other two ties — Suriname-Canada and Honduras-Mexico — being decided on Tuesday.
Tim Weah celebrates scoring for the U.S. against Jamaica. (Bill Barrett / Getty Images)
USMNT stars stand out
As the U.S. prepares for the World Cup it will co-host with Canada and Mexico in 2026, its hopes will rely mostly on the biggest-name players in the team. Pulisic has been the team’s star, but McKennie has filled a critical role across several positions in the last cycle and a half, and Weah has been a quietly productive player.
Monday night against Jamaica, it was that trio of players who paced the U.S. to the win.
Pulisic scored the opener and his shot was deflected in for the second goal. He also set up the fourth goal by holding off a Jamaica defender and flicking the ball out to Yunus Musah, whose cross found Weah for the finish.
Weah, making his first appearance for the U.S. since his costly red card in the Copa America against Panama in June, was also consistently dangerous in combination play with Pulisic up the left wing.
McKennie played a higher central role in this window under Pochettino and said this week he enjoys the chance to be more dangerous. Against Jamaica on Monday, he proved that his passing can, at times, be his best quality. McKennie picked out Pulisic for the finish on the first goal and his centering cross set up the second.
Pulisic and McKennie exited together in the 69th minute to a huge ovation from the home crowd.
Antonee Robinson plays an inverted role
Among the most interesting parts of the first-half performance was how the U.S. built up in possession when it had the ball.
Left back Antonee Robinson moved centrally into an inverted role next to Tessmann, and Musah dropped from a right midfield role into a lower position. Right back Joe Scally then moved higher. On the left side, Pulisic came wide into the area vacated by Robinson with Weah staying at his left winger spot above Pulisic.
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The rotation seemed to confuse Jamaica and created space for Pulisic and Weah, especially, to cause problems up the left side. That eventually opened up more space on the right, and McKennie took advantage to help create the second goal.
It was a new look from the U.S. under Pochettino, but one that seemed both to neutralize Jamaica’s wing play by pulling its players out of position and create more room for Pulisic to try to combine and create in dangerous spaces.
The U.S. did alter that buildup in the second half, with Pulisic staying in a more central role.
Tanner Tessman continued his strong on-field performance in the second game against Jamaica. (Bill Barrett / Getty Images)
Tessmann looks solid
Getting his second start in midfield under Pochettino, Tessmann put in a solid shift in a central role as he looks to stake his claim on a job with the U.S. team.
The U.S. has been searching for more midfield options to create competition centrally, especially with Pochettino opting to play Musah in a wide role and with Tyler Adams still working his way back to fitness. Tessmann was a late call-up into October’s camp but had a solid outing in a loss to Mexico, earning him more chances this month.
Tanner Tessmann interview: Lyon, the Olympics — and 3 texts that changed everything
Tessmann was good starting on the road in Jamaica last week — Pochettino said one could see his huge potential — and the former FC Dallas homegrown put in another strong performance in the home leg, playing next to McKennie. He completed 73 of 74 passes, made five recoveries, won two duels and one interception and his dummy helped set up the U.S. second goal, freezing Jamaican defenders and allowing Pulisic to get his shot on net.
What’s next?
Pochettino won’t get a chance to work with his top group of players again until the semi-finals in March, but the U.S. will hold a January camp and will play friendlies as part of that, including against Venezuela on Jan. 18 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Concacaf Nations League Finals matchups set as USMNT goes for 4th straight title
It’s the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Panama.
By Donald Wine II@blazindw Nov 20, 2024, 7:20am PST
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The United States Men’s National Team are headed back to the Concacaf Nations League Finals after taking out Jamaica 4-2 on Monday night in St. Louis. There, Canada, Mexico, and Panama await the 3-time defending Nations League champions for the right to hold a trophy that has only been touched by the United States.
The Concacaf Nations League Finals tournament will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with the semifinals taking place on March 20th and the final and third place match occurring on March 23rd. Following the conclusion of the quarterfinal matches, Concacaf confirmed the schedule for that tournament.The four teams were ranked based on the quarterfinal results, with points and then goal differential determining the seeds. The final standings after all the quarterfinals were played:
1. Canada (6 points, +4 goal differential)
2. USA (6 points, +3 GD)
3. Panama (4 points, +1 GD)
4. Mexico (3 points, +2 GD)
There have been three editions of the Concacaf Nations League, and the USMNT have won them all. They lifted the trophy in 2021, 2023, and 2024. They hope to do it again, but will have to first face a Panama team that they saw just last month in a friendly in Austin. There, the USMNT won, but in the past 2 competitions where they’ve faced each other – 2024 Copa América and 2023 Gold Cup – Panama has won. The USMNT will hope to get back on the winning track against Los Canaleros and advance to the final with a chance to hang onto the trophy.
The Concacaf Nations League Finals schedule:
Thursday, March 20, 2025 – Semifinals
7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT – USA vs Panama
10:30pm ET/7:30pm PT – Canada vs Mexico
Sunday, March 23, 2025 – Third Place Match and Final
6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT – Third Place Match (3:00 pm) Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2
9:30pm ET/6:30pm PT – Concacaf Nations League Final
Pulisic celebrates USMNT goal by copying Trump’s dance moves: ‘I just thought it was funny’
By Paul TenorioNov 19, 2024
ST. LOUIS — U.S. men’s national team star Christian Pulisic became the latest professional athlete to celebrate on the field by doing the Donald Trump dance trend, moving his arms and hips similarly to the signature moves of the president-elect after scoring the opening goal in the United States’ 4-2 win over Jamaica on Monday night.
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“Well obviously that’s the Trump dance,” Pulisic said when asked whether he intentionally celebrated with viral moves. “It was just a dance that everyone’s doing. He’s the one who created it. I just thought it was funny.”
Teammates Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi also joined Pulisic in the celebration.
Several other athletes across sports have done the viral dance in the last few days, including UFC fighter Jon Jones, with Trump ringside for his match, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and several other college and NFL football players, including Tennessee Titans wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Detroit Lions defensive players Za’Darius Smith and Malcolm Rodriguez.
“I saw everyone doing it yesterday in the NFL, I saw Jon Jones do it,” Pulisic said after the game. “We’re just having a bit of fun, so I thought it was a pretty fun dance.”
As the trend has taken off across sports, it’s unclear whether the celebration is a political endorsement or just a dance players think is amusing. Though Pulisic said he was only having a “bit of fun.” His celebration quickly gained attention on social media platforms, including from former U.S. men’s national team defender and Fox analyst Alexi Lalas, as well as Outkick founder Clay Travis, among others.
Tanner Tessmann: Lyon, the Olympics — and 3 texts that changed everything
By Paul Tenorio
Nov 18, 2024
8
Tanner Tessmann woke up on a Saturday morning last month to three text messages that meant his plans were changing — and maybe his life.
Tessmann and his wife intended to buy some furniture for their new place in Lyon, France. That was out the window. A few injuries had opened up spots on the U.S. men’s national team roster and Mauricio Pochettino was summoning Tessmann to be part of his first camp as U.S. coach.
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“Now we’ll just have to push those plans back a few weeks,” Tessmann remembers thinking, as he read through his text messages.
It was a good problem to have.
It had been a busy summer for the 23-year-old and, at times, a tumultuous one. The midfielder knew it was time to move on from Italian club Venezia, where he had spent the previous three seasons. Tessman started 39 games as Venezia was promoted from Serie B to Serie A, but he felt ready for a change.
Tanner Tessmann had three years at Venezia (Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
A move to Inter Milan almost happened, but there were complications regarding where Tessmann would play in 2024-25. Inter wanted to send him on loan, but they couldn’t reach an agreement on where Tessmann would spend the season. In the end, he decided to pause transfer talk while he went to the Olympics with the U.S. team.
The experience in Paris was invigorating. Tessmann wore the captain’s armband as the U.S. advanced out of group play before falling in the knockout stages. For Tessmann, though, it was a profound experience.
“I just really felt that with the group everybody was so dedicated to what we were trying to do,” Tessmann told The Athletic during an interview at the team hotel in Guadalajara, Mexico last month.
“When you have guys like that, it just creates something special. And win, lose or draw, we had such a good time… And then to be Team USA at the Olympics, there’s no better team to be a part of anywhere in the world. The way we got treated, to see other American athletes compete and go to some events and support them, and to be a part of that, is incredible.”
After returning from France, Tessmann finally learned his future would be in… France.
A move to Lyon was finalized, with the Ligue 1 side paying $6.7million (£5.3m) to bring him into the squad. On the field, Tessmann felt it was a different level for him to push himself. Rather than taking part in a likely relegation battle with Venezia, Tessmann was joining a team that was playing in European competition (the Europa League).
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“It was a big step for me,” Tessmann said. “I mean, it’s a team that is always trying to fight for the French Cup and always trying to fight for the league, and then always trying to fight for Europa League or Champions League. In the midfield, we have World Cup winners, Champions League winners, players that have won the league in different countries. So it’s just a team full of winners. And I think the level in training and the standard is a different level.”
Quickly, he learned that the tactical game he learned in Italy was going to be supplemented by new emphases in Ligue 1. Tessmann said play is “a lot more individual, one-vs-one dribbling, one-vs-one defending, really athletic players that can really open the field quickly.” Tessmann was thrilled the move was pushing him to find a more physical part of his game.
He started a 2-1 victory against Toulouse in September that Pochettino’s staff saw live, which contributed to his call into October camp. Tessmann said he understood how fleeting these chances might be.
Tessmann playing for Lyon against Toulouse (Matthieu Rondel/AFP via Getty Images)
“No matter how I got here, we all have different paths, we’re all in different parts of our careers,” Tessmann said. “I’m here just like anybody else, and now I can make an impression.”
Tessmann made a positive impression in his first days under Pochettino and was one of few players who showed a bit of something in a 2-0 loss to Mexico on the road.
But while life in Lyon on the field is positive, the club’s prospects off it are precarious. Just a few days ago, it was banned from making any transfers in January and is provisionally set to be relegated to Ligue 2 next season due to financial issues. Its owner, the U.S. businessman John Textor, insists that will not happen but it is uncertainty that players could do without.
Pochettino has said he hopes that instability doesn’t alter the environment Tessmann needs to continue to grow and refine his game. Tessmann made enough of an impact that Pochettino called him back into camp this month and gave him the call to start in the 1-0 first-leg win in Jamaica.
Tessmann started against Jamaica last week (John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
“We have really liked his quality, his ability to understand the game, everything, the balance that he brings,” Pochettino said on Sunday.
“I think that he is a player who, in my opinion, has not shown all the potential that he has. He has enormous potential. We have to help him to continue growing and let’s hope that Lyon solves all the problems… and can have stability and find that stability that will give him consistency to continue progressing.”
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Tessmann acquitted himself well in midfield in Kingston, Jamaica. He completed 35 of 38 passes, won four of five duels and made three recoveries in midfield. His teammates took note — and Tessmann might get another shot to make an impression tonight in St. Louis.
“From when he first came into camp to where he is now, I’ve seen a big change in him, confidence-wise, and his quality is showing through,” left-back Antonee Robinson said. “So whenever he gets a chance, he’ll be putting everything to try and keep that place.”
If he can keep it, the hope for Tessmann is that while those texts last month may have delayed moving a couch, they also opened a path to the World Cup in 2026.
(Top photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
But the U.S. goal scorer said he wasn’t concerned with whether people on social media reacted to the dance as more than he intended.
“No, not at all,” Pulisic said. “It’s not a political dance. It was just for fun. I saw a bunch of people do it and I thought it was funny, so I enjoyed it. I hope some people did, at least.”
Emma Hayes names USWNT roster for final 2024 friendlies: No Rodman, Swanson or Smith
By Meg Linehan and Jeff Rueter
Nov 18, 2024
42
The U.S. women’s national team roster is set for the final two friendlies of the year against England and the Netherlands, with coach Emma Hayes naming 24 players to her training camp roster. Once again, new names and potential debuts are on the line for the national team. This time, Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Utah Royals FC forward (and under-20 USYNT captain) Ally Sentnor got their first call-ups under Hayes.
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Notably, the starting front line from the Olympics is not included for the final two games, with Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman getting rest after a busy year for the players. Rodman will also be busy with the Washington Spirit this weekend as they face the Orlando Pride in the NWSL Championship.
Rodman might get to go home after Saturday’s final between the Spirit and the Pride, but teammates Casey Krueger and Hal Hershfelt as well as Orlando’s Emily Sams will be making the trip from Kansas City to Heathrow later this weekend to join up with the rest of the squad.
Speaking about the roster after Monday’s reveal, Hayes said the decisions regarding Rodman, Smith and Swanson were taken “in the best interest” of the players.
“Not one of these players wants to ever miss a game for playing for their country,” Hayes said. “I want to be really clear about that. But I want to make sure these players are prepared for a long time to come. When you’re in the back end of a season, you’ve played a lot. Your body’s tired, your mind’s tired. That’s where, you know, sometimes it can become risky.”
The big news ahead of the roster announcement was Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes committing to the U.S. She’ll be the only teenager on the national team this time around, as both Alyssa Thompson and Jaedyn Shaw turn 20 years old this month.
USWNT roster for England & Netherlands friendlies
Goalkeepers (3): Mandy Haught (Utah Royals FC), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders (9): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Eva Gaetino (PSG), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Malonson (Bay FC), Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC)
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Midfielders (6): Korbin Albert (PSG), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)
Forwards (6): Yazmeen Ryan (Gotham FC), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals FC), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC), Lynn Williams (Gotham FC)
The Lily Yohannes era is official
While this is Yohannes’s third call-up to the national team, it’s the first following her commitment to the United States earlier this month. She was at camp with the team during the 2024 SheBelieves Cup but did not play. She earned her first cap during a June friendly against Korea Republic and scored in her USWNT debut.https://www.instagram.com/p/DCPD6ONIFYw/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=540&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com&rp=%2Fathletic%2F5929500%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2Femma-hayes-uswnt-roster-final-friendlies%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A3594.9000000059605%2C%22ls%22%3A1807.5%2C%22le%22%3A2275.5%7D
There are already high expectations around Yohannes and what she might offer the USWNT midfield, but Hayes and her technical staff have already shown a clear pattern of patience, allowing Yohannes time and space to make a crucial decision. While Yohannes already has big game experience with Ajax and in Champions League play, there’s plenty of time between the first couple of friendlies as an official USWNT player and World Cup qualification to allow her to settle in with the team.
As much as the development of such a potential talent is crucial, there is the small matter of the final friendly of the year taking place in the Netherlands — the other nation that was vying for Yohannes. This one will feel personal for the teenager.
On Monday, Hayes didn’t hold back expressing her excitement for Yohannes’ commitment, calling it “massive for us.”
“Everybody’s showing the importance of, you’ve got to get the plan right when someone like Lily is faced with such an interesting choice, but she has been really clear with me,” Hayes said. “I had a really good chat with her this week. The camp she came into in May was such an enjoyable one for her that she’d been thinking about that ever since.
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“She really wants to progress now with her international career, and she knows she has to work hard with the playing pool being as strong as it is. But I think she’s an exceptional talent, and I’m delighted that we can develop a very young Lily Yohannes over the next few years to prepare her for a future with the national team.”
Two more new faces
After Hayes gave seven uncapped players their debuts during the last international window — during the Olympics victory tour, no less — finding minutes for just two new players should probably seem a fairly simple task.
Hayes has expanded the depth chart of the goalkeeper pool once again this window, bringing in Tullis-Joyce from Manchester United (formerly of Reign FC). While Tullis-Joyce made the move to Manchester in September 2023, she only became the team’s starting goalkeeper following Mary Earps’s move to PSG but has picked up six clean sheets in her eight games played so far this season. United are currently fifth in the Women’s Super League standings but remain undefeated in league play.
Tullis-Joyce trained with the U.S. U-23s while in college, but does not have any youth national team appearances.
On the other end of the youth national team experience spectrum, Sentnor has finally earned her long-expected senior team call-up following this summer’s bronze-medal finish at the under-20 World Cup. She scored multiple goals during that run, including against the Netherlands in the third-place game.
Sentnor was also the No. 1 pick for the Royals in the 2024 NWSL draft and was a clear bright spot for the team during the rough start to the season. She is also a finalist for the NWSL rookie of the year award.
The USWNT will face England at Wembley Stadium on Nov. 30 at 12:20 p.m. ET, before traveling to the Netherlands for its final game of the year on Dec. 3 at 2:45 p.m. ET from ADO Den Haag Stadium.
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What else Hayes said
Hayes highlighted the opportunities for a range of players on the latest roster with “so many different permutations within that.”
“We’re in a different stage, you know. I’m not preparing for Euros next summer, like England and (the) Netherlands are now,” she said. “I’m preparing to qualify for a World Cup in 2027, so I need to do this. And I like doing these things; I’ve developed rosters over a long period of time. (Players) don’t improve just by having them on the roster. We have to give them the opportunities to do that.”
She added she has “no fear whatsoever to be able to put out a very different team, if that’s what we choose to do, against England.”
“Look at last camp,” she said. “From Alyssa Thompson to Emma Sears, you know, to Eva Gaetano, they’re demonstrating that they deserve opportunities to be seen again. I’ve no hesitation whatsoever, including having a Lily Yohannes. If you’re good enough, you perform well enough, then you’ll always be in consideration for the roster. Very, very excited to see them.”
(Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
The Ole BallCoach 