- Position
- D
- Pieces here
- 3
On the record
Called Shots →Kennedy Wesley starts for the United States against Spain at Audi Field on October 10.
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.
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.