The USWNT Takes an Olympic Gold Victory Lap
Our golden girls will play three friendlies to close out October in their first games since becoming Olympic champions.
When one international window closes, another one opens, or so the saying goes! So just as US Soccer fans unpack the ups and downs of the first ever Pochettino-led USMNT camp, it’s time to turn our attention back to the USWNT as they kick off their gold medal victory tour, playing their first batch of games since winning the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Here’s what you need to know as we enjoy the final days of international US Soccer this October.
The October USWNT international window will be a fun mix of basking in Olympics glory, celebrating individual player milestones, and looking forward to what's next as manager Emma Hayes continues to put her mark on the program.
Celebrate Good Times FC
There’s a lot to celebrate for the USWNT! In addition to giving the 2024 Olympians their flowers (18 of whom are on this roster), pre-game and halftime ceremonies will be held during these friendlies to honor USWNT legend Kelley O’Hara’s retirement, as well as Mallory Swanson and Rose Lavelle’s milestones of each reaching 100 caps*. Meanwhile veteran utility player Emily Sonnett currently sits on 99 caps, meaning she’d also reach her 100 cap milestone with her next appearance within these three games.
In her 14-year USWNT career, Kelley O’Hara has given US Soccer fans:
160 caps
Over 10,000 minutes played
Four World Cup appearances (2011, 2015, 2019, 2023) including two World Cup championships (2015 and 2019)
Three Olympic Games (2012, 2016, 2020) in which she won one gold (2012) and one bronze (2020) medal
Seven major tournaments
O’Hara broke our hearts during a recent episode of The Women’s Game podcast, when she opened up about the emotional process she went through in ending her career due to a persisting injury. Suffice to say, every US Soccer fan is overjoyed to see O’Hara getting properly honored this week, as sad as it is to see yet another USWNT legend hang up her boots.
*USWNT game appearances
New Kids on the Block
While selection of the USWNT Paris Olympians was prioritized for this roster, only 18 of those 22 gold medalists were available for the October international window, with the remaining 4 out with injury or having “personal commitments.” This left Hayes with eight spots to play with. And, boy, did she play!
Players to Watch:
Emma Sears (Forward), Yazmeen Ryan (Forward), and Alyssa Malonson (Defender) were each called up for their first-ever USWNT roster.
Emily Sams (Defender), Hal Hershfelt (Midfielder), and Eva Gaetino (Defender) are three uncapped players who’ve been called back up with the hopes that they’ll get to play in their first games.
Two noteworthy attackers, Ashley Sanchez and ACFC’s very own Alyssa Thompson, return to the squad after falling off the roster after the 2023 World Cup.
After injury kept her sidelined during the Olympics, we’re thrilled that young whipper snapper Jaedyn Shaw is healthy again, and can’t wait to see her back scoring bangers.
While we’re disappointed that two of our Olympics favs, Trinity Rodman and Crystal Dunn, are not on the roster, we’re excited to see Emma mixing things up. These selections show how, with more time, she is working to deepen the player pool and give another group of players a chance to break in.
Watch the USWNT in Action:
Thursday, Oct. 24 at 4:30pm PT/7:30 ET vs. Iceland in Austin, TX (international friendly)
Television broadcast: TBS (English commentary) and Universo (Spanish commentary)
Streaming: Max (English commentary) and Peacock (Spanish commentary)
Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2:30pm PT/ vs. Iceland in Nashville, TN (international friendly)
Mallory Swanson will be celebrated for 100 caps!
Kelley O’Hara’s retirement ceremony at halftime
Television broadcast: TNT, Universo
Streaming: truTV, Max, Peacock
Wednesday, Oct 30 at 4pm PT/7pm ET vs. Argentina in Louisville, KY (international friendly)
Rose Lavelle will be celebrated for 100 caps!
Television broadcast: TNT, Universo
Streaming: truTV, Max, Peacock
You can find all three games on the Soccer Freaks Google Calendar!