Naomi Girma's in, Trinity Rodman's out in today's USWNT roster drop

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Naomi Girma returns to USWNT for year-end friendlies

The USWNT is stocking up to close out 2025, with head coach Emma Hayes dropping her 26-player roster this morning ahead of a set of year-end friendlies against rising European star Italy.

• Hayes selected a blend of Europe-based and NWSL talent, including formerly injured Chelsea standout Naomi Girma — her first national team call-up since July — as well as Gotham’s Jaedyn Shaw and Jaelin Howell, with Howell returning to the squad for the first time since 2022. (See full roster)

Big picture: After an up-and-down October window, the US will finish the year against Le Azzure in Orlando on November 28th and December 1st in Fort Lauderdale.

• Spirit striker Trinity Rodman (MCL strain) and Man United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce (fractured eye socket) were left off due to injury concerns, while Bay FC keeper Jordan Silkowitz, Chicago forward Jameese Joseph, and Washington defender Kate Wiesner head to camp uncapped.

• The roster’s seven Spirit and Gotham FC players will have the tightest turnaround, jetting off to camp immediately after Saturday’s NWSL Championship.

Full steam ahead: “We’ve accomplished a lot of goals, expanded the player pool, and made strides in our game model, so this camp will be an extension of that, but it will also set the groundwork for 2026, which will be our World Cup qualifying year,” Hayes said in a statement. “Games against top European teams are so valuable… I know our players will embrace that challenge.”

Report: WNBA ups max salary to $1.1M+ in latest CBA offer

The WNBA has put a new CBA offer on the table, a source told The AP late Tuesday, with the league proposing to raise the maximum player salary to more than $1.1 million while also implementing a new revenue-sharing plan.

• The league is targeting a minimum salary exceeding $220,000, with the average salary jumping above $460,000 in the agreement’s first year.

• The offer would apply to more than 180 players upon initial ratification, with paydays set to rise incrementally over the life of the contract.

Clock’s ticking: The existing CBA was set to expire on October 31st, with the WNBA and the Players Association agreeing to extend talks to November 30th — mirroring the last CBA negotiations in 2019, which wasn’t settled until early 2020.

• In accordance with the prior deal, this past season’s minimum salary ranged from $66,079 to $78,831 depending on terms, with the max salary set at $214,466 and players averaging $102,249 per year.

• The WNBPA opted out of that CBA this year, pushing for a more lucrative revenue-sharing model, increased salaries, better benefits, and a less rigid salary cap, among other improvements.

Bottom line: The pressure to resolve a new CBA is more intense than ever, with a potential work stoppage threatening to derail a league exploding in popularity.

• “When it comes to things like renewals and partnership opportunities, sitting here with an uncertain labor negotiation, it’s already having an impact on the basketball calendar and the business,” a source told ESPN this week.

ESPN’s GM survey shows widespread NWSL salary cap concerns

The NWSL’s salary cap is back in the headlines, as ESPN’s annual anonymous GM survey surfaced widespread concerns about the cap’s impact on attracting and retaining talent this week.

• 85% of surveyed executives said the $3.5 million salary cap — even with its CBA-mandated yearly increase — is holding the NWSL back, as big-name players continue to seek out more lucrative European contracts.

• “Right now, top talent is going only one way,” one GM said. “We’re not seeing players that are in top clubs in their prime coming this way… If that becomes a trend, then that will be an issue.”

Big picture: The GMs also weighed in on commissioner Jessica Berman’s performance, league expansion, strongest and weakest teams, and more.

• 54% gave Berman three to three-and-a-half stars out of five, while 40% voiced support for her plan to eventually grow the NWSL to 32 teams.

• The majority said Kansas City is elevating the league, while 40% said Chicago was “holding the league back,” with one GM stating, “The ones at the bottom of the standings are there for a reason.”

Read more: ESPN’s 2025 NWSL GM Survey

In the latest episode of The Late Sub, Bay FC defender and World Cup champion Abby Dahlkemper stopped by to fill host Claire Watkins in on the 2024 NWSL expansion's side second season — and how Sutter Health is helping her balance life on the pitch with her recent pregnancy.

• “Sutter Health has provided any need I could imagine — nutrition, psychology, orthopedics, maternity health, fetal medicine, all of that,” she said. “I'm still in the gym with all my teammates… Being able to run on the sidelines while they're practicing, or bike and watch them practice, just means a lot.”

Sutter Health’s investment: Bay FC has partnered with the not-for-profit health system since late 2023, kicking off a multiyear deal focusing on community health and wellness with an emphasis on young women.

• “Creating space for female athletes to become mothers but also stay professional athletes is incredible,” Dahlkemper added. “Specifically Bay FC and Sutter Health being awesome throughout my pregnancy and post — I know I have the support.”

Tune in: Catch The Late Sub on YouTube.

Chelsea seeks UWCL revenge against Barcelona

Chelsea is vying for some UWCL revenge this week, as the perennial Champions League contenders take on Barcelona in Thursday’s League Phase slate.

• The 2024/25 runners-up have ousted Chelsea in the UWCL semifinals two years in a row, going on to win three of the last five tournament titles.

• Unfortunately for the Blues, Barcelona has never lost at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge — and they’re one of just three Champions League clubs with a winning record so far this season.

Big picture: Chelsea isn’t the only WSL titan hosting a Spanish side this week, as reigning UWCL champs Arsenal look to bounce back against Real Madrid today.

• “I think it’s easier to get to the top, than staying at the top,” Arsenal coach Renee Slegers said of the Gunners’ losing run. “At the same time, I know that the squad is really good at being in the moment, taking it game to game, and preparing as well as possible to be able to execute.”

Tune in: Arsenal kicks off against Real Madrid today at 3 PM ET, before Chelsea hosts Barcelona tomorrow at 3 PM ET, live on Paramount+.

PWHL drops expanded 2025/26 broadcast schedule

As the PWHL prepares to drop the puck on its third season, the league announced its 2025/26 broadcast schedule — with games set to reach more than 96 million homes starting this Friday.

• While US games will still stream on YouTube, national coverage will now be available across FOX, Paramount, Scripps Sports, Gray Media, and TEGNA, in addition to regional carriers like NESN, MSG Networks, KONG, and FanDuel Sports Network.

• “The PWHL’s broadcast strategy isn’t about exclusivity — it’s about accessibility,” said EVP of business operations Amy Scheer in a league statement. “We’re ensuring fans everywhere can experience the speed, skill, and intensity of PWHL hockey.”

Stay tuned: Toronto and Minnesota kick off the 2025/26 PWHL this Friday at 7 PM ET, live across FOX9+, FDSN, TSN, and YouTube.

Quote of the day

Former Washington Spirit and Gotham star Kelley O’Hara
describing her NWSL Championship allegiances on the latest Sports Are Fun!