The 2025 schedule for the U.S. Women’s National Team finally comes to an end this week. There will be one more camp before a year of deliberate rotation and experimentation under the guidance of head coach Emma Hayes comes to a conclusion, and there are still two more games to evaluate.
With a focus on expanding the player pool and establishing program principles with less experienced players, the team has come through a year with plenty of lessons learned. The Stars and Stripes have a 10–3–0 record in the two-match series against Italy. Their three losses came against Brazil, Portugal and Japan, and the USWNT will look to avoid any additional losses as the program has not lost more than three games in a year since 2001.
It’s been nearly 15 years since the US and Italy faced each other, and while the USWNT has a winning record against the Italians (11-1-4), this is a European side still fresh off their appearance in the 2025 UEFA Euro semi-finals.
Here’s how to watch the upcoming matches:
How to watch USWNT vs Italy
date: Friday, November 28 Time: 7pm ET
Place: Inter & Company Stadium – Orlando, Florida.
TV: tnt
construction from October
The USWNT finished the fall season with a three-match window in October that included a shocking loss to Portugal, an immediate rematch for revenge, and a loss to New Zealand that reminded everyone of the team’s potential. October’s friendly was the first for the group since July, and after 113 days away from the pitch, naturally, there was some rust. Emma Hayes and the Roosters did a good job of recognizing the limitations of her isolated game in the last match, and when the window ended, the tough decisions came back to haunt Hayes moving forward.
With so many players in and out of the talent pool, Hayes has earned a willingness to make difficult coaching decisions. Now, with the final international window of the year approaching, the staff will be deliberate about the future camp roster with World Cup qualifying underway for the region in November 2026.
last roster of the year
Before the Italy matches, Hayes made a 26-player list. The group is a solid mix of veterans with the return of some familiar faces and promising young talent.
Chelsea FC defender Naomi Girma has returned to the roster after a long absence due to a calf injury. Rose Lavelle is also one of the experienced players, but returns to camp fresh after winning the 2025 NWSL Championship. She is one of seven players who participated in the league’s Biggest Game of the Year, along with Gotham FC teammates Lily Reale, Emily Sonnett, Jaidyn Shaw and Jaelyn Howell. Kate Wisner and Croix Bethune represent the Washington Spirit as runners-up.
Hayes is still following the trend he has set with first-time call-ups and players who are on the verge of debut. Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz received a call-up after Fallon Tullis-Joyce’s eye fracture left the Manchester United starter unavailable for selection. Chicago Stars FC forward Jameis Joseph earned his first senior team call-up after making the under-23 roster for almost an entire year.
Jaylin Howell returns after three years
Defensive midfielder Howell returns to the USWNT for the first time since October 2022. She had a career season with Gotham FC and it culminated with a shiny new NWSL Championship trophy. Howell, a two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner selected No. 2 overall (behind Girma), joined the NWSL in 2022 from Florida State University, drawing some early comparisons to Julie Ertz as a more offensive type of midfielder.
He made his senior team debut in 2020 and spent some time in camps until 2022, although during his early years as a professional, he suffered a number of injuries that kept him marginalized for both club and country. Now, her fourth year in the NWSL, she has had a standout season where she led the club in recoveries (172), tackles (84), and interceptions (51). She finished second in total touches (1772) and third in goals (four).
Howell has finally combined the right club for success with a healthy season. She has also worked with USWNT veterans in Lavelle and Sonnett throughout the year and it has paid off in her return to the USWNT.
Howell told CBS Sports, “I always knew she was an amazing player, but watching (Rose) work in the middle and helping her, what I learned from her, just watching her in practice or on the field, and what she teaches me when she’s talking to me. It’s been a huge game changer for my career.”
“Having him in the middle and then having Sonnett behind me, directing me, they’ve been two huge game changers for me as a player this year. They’ve been huge. I give them a lot of credit for coming back to camp, just learning from them, asking them questions. I think just helping everybody at Gotham, just coaching us on the field. And the experience, their huddle with us. I try to tell them all the time how much it means to me, but I Just keep saying it because I think they’re not only great players, but great teammates that try to help everyone around them, especially me, playing with them this year has been huge for me.”
taste of italy
The final match of the year against a top European opponent will be an ideal gauge for the USWNT’s development. The Italians are currently ranked 12th by FIFA, and their inspirational run to the UEFA Women’s Euro semi-finals was not an overnight success. Although they are on the rise at the moment, the game against the USWNT will also be a challenge for their schedule, and head coach Andrea Soncin will want to test his defense against the dynamic attacking USWNT.
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