Even without a confirmed manager for the Paris Olympics, the preparation continues for the USWNT against one of the darlings of the 2023 Women's World Cup.
This international window will be the second to last, as of now, before the conclusion of the calendar year. While the previous two matches against South Africa resulted in victories, it was a stretch to say the performances were up to par with what the Stars and Stripes expected. September was all about celebration. October will have a much different vibe.
Though this is not Spain or England, Colombia is a side that the United States could very well see in the Olympics in a few months' time. Las Cafeteras are one of just two representatives from South America along with Brazil that will be traveling to Paris. Its presence is not going to go under the radar as some may have thought back in June. This trip for Nelson Abadía's team will be the first chance at competitive competition since its narrow elimination against the English on August 12. Overall, the USWNT has encountered the South American outfit 10 times, earning the triumph on nine of those occasions.
The household name within the team is Real Madrid attacker Linda Caicedo. In five games for her club side this season, the Colombian is tied for the team lead in assists with French 21-year-old Naomie Feller at three. Her dazzling footwork and stunning goal against Germany helped put her country in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in its history. The talent does not stop at No. 18. She is joined by Leicy Santos, Atletico Madrid's current leading scorer in Liga F play. In total, 10 players from the Las Cafeteras' World Cup team play a part for a European outfit.
Eight players named to the Twila Kilgore's October roster currently have less than 10 caps with two having not stepped on the pitch at the senior international level. Jaeydn Shaw, Mia Fishel, and M.A. Vignola return to the team while Portland Thorns' midfielder Olivia Moultrie received a well-deserved call-up. That room for Portland's 18-year-old was made due to Rose Lavelle reportedly "not being ready for international minutes". The OL Reign star is one of several including Tierna Davidson, Catarina Macario who are missing from this pool of players.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of kick-off in Sandy, Utah in a few days time.
27-player roster for two friendlies vs. Colombia
Goalkeepers: Aubrey Kingsbury, Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy
Defenders: M.A. Vignola, Alana Cook, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Sofia Huerta, Casey Krueger, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders: Andi Sullivan, Sam Coffey, Savannah DeMelo, Lindsey Horan, Ashley Sanchez, Olivia Moultrie
Forwards: Lynn Williams, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Jaedyn Shaw, Margaret Purce, Trinity Rodman, Alex Morgan, Ashley Hatch, Mia Fishel
Schedule for USWNT friendlies
USWNT vs. Colombia, Thursday, October 26 at America First Field, 9:00 p.m. EST
Where to watch: TBS, Universo, Peacock
USWNT vs. Colombia, Sunday, October 29 at Snapdragon Stadium, 5:30 p.m. EST
Where to watch: TNT, Universo, Peacock
3 storylines ahead of the October matches
1. Olivia Moultrie's debut within a senior camp
At this point, you shouldn't be surprised by another teenager being called in. Still, it always creates a storyline, especially in this case, considering the player's path to this point. A little over two years after making her professional debut for Portland following a long fight with the league, Olivia Moultrie receives her first senior international opportunity. Playing alongside Sam Coffey, another member of this roster, Moultrie has thrived for the defending champions in 2023. Most of the time, she lines up in a triangle midfield with Coffey, and Hina Sugita.
Casual fans may not even know her name, but in time, everyone will. There is little chance the Utah native will see the pitch in her home state or in San Diego. The idea has to be to get her adapted to the national team environment and see her compete in training against the best of the best.
2. Will San Diego's Jaeydn Shaw get a chance?
I think everyone, including me, took a sigh of relief seeing San Diego Wave's own Jaedyn Shaw on a senior international roster in September. She is one of the key symbols of the youth movement, representing the future of a potential front three, or midfield. That's the best part about Shaw. She is not limited to the wing or a false No. 9.
Potentially, the most intriguing position for the youngster is the No. 10. With Lavelle, and Macario out due to injury, there is a clear opening for some sort of youth to take the reins. Only Alex Morgan has more goal contributions for SD in 2023. Her 38 key passes in NWSL play are 21 more than any player on Casey Stoney's side. She has the ability to create a chance out of thin air. When she has the ball at her feet, buckle up.
Throw away your hand tools. You're going to need some sort of satellite sensor to accurately measure how high Shaw's ceiling internationally really is. At some point, the Wave's No. 11 will be a key cog of this team, so why not have this be a sneak peak?
3. Who is going to step up to provide depth in a thin midfield?
The fact that Julie Ertz will no longer be donning the red, white, and blue is something almost every fan is still trying to cope with. The former Chicago Red Star was everything the USWNT needed in a midfield. Tough. Intelligent. A leader. Her retirement and numerous injuries leave the middle of the part a topic of discussion for interim head coach Kilgore.
Other than Lindsey Horan, nobody is a lock for the starting XI. Andi Sullivan is the only experienced No. 6 on the team. Could we see Coffey fill in off the bench? Does it make sense to slot Emily Sonnett back into that role following what she did against Sweden? These are all good questions. Nobody is incapable. It is just a matter of who is going to impress enough in camp to make it between the white lines throughout the course of a 90-minute contest.
Even with the roster made up of 27 players, only six have been classified by U.S. Soccer as a "midfielder". There's going to be opportunities. If someone like Coffey impresses here, who knows what kind of role she could have in those friendlies against China?
Predicted lineups for Colombia friendlies
Predicted lineup in Utah
Goalkeeper: Casey Murphy
Defenders: Naomi Girma, Emily Fox, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn
Midfielders: Lindsey Horan, Andi Sullivan, Ashley Sanchez
Forwards: Alex Morgan, Trinity Rodman, Lynn Williams
Predicted lineup in San Diego
Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher
Defenders: Becky Sauerbrunn, M.A. Vignola, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma
Midfielders: Lindsey Horan, Savannah DeMelo, Emily Sonnett
Forwards: Sophia Smith, Alex Morgan, Alyssa Thompson
Tickets are still available for both matches through the U.S. Soccer website via Ticketmaster with prices starting at $25.
