- Position
- D
- Pieces here
- 9
On the record
Called Shots →Naomi Girma is on the field for at least one minute of a competitive Chelsea first-team match played on or before October 4, 2026. Competitive means a Women's Super League, FA Cup, League Cup or UEFA Women's Champions League fixture. Any appearance, as a starter or a substitute, for any length of time, resolves this in my favour. Being named in a squad and not used does not.
Emily Sams is not named in the United States roster for the 2026 Concacaf W Championship.
Kennedy Wesley starts for the United States against Spain at Audi Field on October 10.
Kennedy Wesley starts for the United States against El Salvador in the Concacaf W Championship quarter-final on November 27.
Written about him
Hayes has started six center backs since March, and three are in camp
The Spanish federation said on October 6 that goalkeeper Cata Coll had left Spain's squad for the matches against the United States and would return to Barcelona, replaced by Athletic Club's Eunate Astralaga; the federation gave no reason, and the news agency EFE reported quadriceps discomfort. Coll started seven of Spain's ten matches under Sonia Bermúdez, including all six against England, Germany and Sweden. Spain are also without Vicky López, Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmatí. The United States are without Naomi Girma, Emily Sonnett and Sam Coffey. Six players started at center back for the United States in its last eight matches: Sonnett, Girma, Kennedy Wesley, Tierna Davidson, Tara Rudd and Emily Sams. Girma and Sonnett are injured, Wesley, Davidson and Rudd are in camp, and Sams, who has started all 27 of Angel City's NWSL matches, is not on the roster. The teams meet at Audi Field on October 10 and Subaru Park on October 13.
Sam Coffey is off the Spain roster six days after Hayes brought her back
U.S. Soccer said on October 5 that midfielder Sam Coffey picked up an injury in Manchester City's 4-2 Women's Super League win over Arsenal on October 4 and will stay with her club for assessment and rehabilitation. The federation did not say what the injury is. Emma Hayes called up Gotham FC midfielder Jaelin Howell, 26, who has six caps and has started all 27 of Gotham's NWSL matches this season. Coffey and Naomi Girma were both named on September 29 after missing the June matches in Brazil, and both are now off the roster for the matches against Spain at Audi Field on October 10 and Subaru Park on October 13. Neither has played for the United States since April 17.
The United States will face Spain without Naomi Girma or Emily Sonnett
Emma Hayes called up Utah Royals defender Kate Del Fava on October 4 to replace the injured Naomi Girma on the 26-player roster for the matches against Spain at Audi Field on October 10 and Subaru Park on October 13. Del Fava, 28, is uncapped, was already due in camp as an overage player with the under-23s, and is the fifth uncapped player on the roster. Girma was ruled out on October 1 with a muscle injury; Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor said on September 30 that she got a knock in training and would be unavailable for maybe a few weeks. Girma has not played in any of Chelsea's five Women's Super League matches or two Champions League league-phase matches. With Emily Sonnett also injured, the center backs on the roster who started any of the last eight United States matches are Kennedy Wesley, Tierna Davidson and Tara Rudd.
Hayes made room for Ashley Sanchez by sending two regulars to the under-23s
U.S. Soccer named a 26-player roster on September 29 for the matches against Spain at Audi Field on October 10 and Subaru Park on October 13. Ashley Sanchez, who has 20 goals in 26 matches for the North Carolina Courage to tie the NWSL single-season record, returns for the first time since January 2025. Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey return after missing June. Four players are uncapped: Jordan Silkowitz, Evelyn Shores, Pietra Tordin and Trinity Byars. Jaedyn Shaw (37 caps) and Ally Sentnor (23) were named instead to the under-23 roster, which trains alongside the senior team in Fayetteville, Georgia, and plays the Dominican Republic there on October 9 and 13. Emma Hayes said both are still central to her plans and that Sanchez and Byars have created a competition for places.
Naomi Girma is available again, and has not played a league minute this season
Naomi Girma was an unused substitute in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge on September 19, two days after head coach Sonia Bompastor said she was available for selection again following a small injury. The other two players Bompastor named available, Nathalie Bjorn and Melvine Malard, both got on the field. Girma has played no minutes in Chelsea's three Women's Super League matches this season and has started two matches since April, both legs of a Champions League qualifier against Real Sociedad. Her last United States appearance was against Japan on April 17, 155 days ago, and the United States played Brazil twice in June without her. Spain visit Audi Field on October 10 and Subaru Park on October 13.