- Position
- D
- Pieces here
- 3
On the record
Called Shots →Naomi Girma is on the field for at least one minute of a competitive Chelsea first-team match played on or before October 4, 2026. Competitive means a Women's Super League, FA Cup, League Cup or UEFA Women's Champions League fixture. Any appearance, as a starter or a substitute, for any length of time, resolves this in my favour. Being named in a squad and not used does not.
Written about him
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.
Hayes made room for Ashley Sanchez by sending two regulars to the under-23s
U.S. Soccer named a 26-player roster on September 29 for the matches against Spain at Audi Field on October 10 and Subaru Park on October 13. Ashley Sanchez, who has 20 goals in 26 matches for the North Carolina Courage to tie the NWSL single-season record, returns for the first time since January 2025. Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey return after missing June. Four players are uncapped: Jordan Silkowitz, Evelyn Shores, Pietra Tordin and Trinity Byars. Jaedyn Shaw (37 caps) and Ally Sentnor (23) were named instead to the under-23 roster, which trains alongside the senior team in Fayetteville, Georgia, and plays the Dominican Republic there on October 9 and 13. Emma Hayes said both are still central to her plans and that Sanchez and Byars have created a competition for places.
Naomi Girma is available again, and has not played a league minute this season
Naomi Girma was an unused substitute in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge on September 19, two days after head coach Sonia Bompastor said she was available for selection again following a small injury. The other two players Bompastor named available, Nathalie Bjorn and Melvine Malard, both got on the field. Girma has played no minutes in Chelsea's three Women's Super League matches this season and has started two matches since April, both legs of a Champions League qualifier against Real Sociedad. Her last United States appearance was against Japan on April 17, 155 days ago, and the United States played Brazil twice in June without her. Spain visit Audi Field on October 10 and Subaru Park on October 13.