A Milestone Return for Swanson
Emma Hayes revealed a 23‑player roster that will see the U.S. women's national team travel to Brazil for two high‑stakes friendlies, a stepping stone toward the next phase of World Cup qualifying.
Mallory Swanson, who gave birth to her daughter Josie in November, is back on the squad after a nine‑month hiatus, marking her first appearance since October 2024 and ending a 604‑day gap between caps.
Swanson’s comeback coincides with a rare NWSL goal for Bay FC, underscoring her sharpness after a productive stint with the 'Triple Espresso' trio of Wilson and Rodman, both of whom also returned from maternity leave.
The lineup also bears the marks of injury, with stalwarts Jane Campbell, Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey unavailable, prompting the call‑up of Utah Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn to fill Campbell’s void.
New faces such as Washington Spirit defender Tara Rudd, Kansas City Current midfielder Croix Bethune and North Carolina Courage midfielder Riley Jackson have been drafted in, while the absence of several regulars forces the coaching staff to experiment with chemistry in a compressed window.
The fixtures are set for June 6 in São Paulo and June 9 in Fortaleza, giving the team a tight schedule to forge cohesion before the qualifiers ramp up.
Hayes emphasized that the matches are less about results and more about building connections among players who have been apart for months, a crucial exercise as the squad eyes a decisive push toward the World Cup.