US women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes has named a 24-player squad that will play two friendlies during the next international window. The squad is notable for first-time call-ups from two of the best teams in recent NWSL seasons: Kansas City Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta and Orlando Pride defender Kerry Abello. Claudia Dickey, goalkeeper for Seattle Reign, has also received her first call-up to the national team.
“First of all I think she’s deserving of the call-up. It’s the right moment to do it,” Hayes said of LaBonta said on Tuesday, adding that she thought Abello has been one of the most consistent performers for one of the NWSL’s best teams and that Dickey has been “the best performing goalkeeper in the NWSL this season.”
