Soccer Monday: USWNT is back on track with comfortable win against China — Naomi Girma has returned

Also, Happy Pride! The NWSLPA put out an important message:

The USWNT is back for a pair of games. In the first, on Saturday, the U.S. comfortably shutout China 3-0. The team got goals from Catarina Macario, Sam Coffey (who had an awesome `Why Not Me?’ celebration), and finally, a classic header from Lindsey Heaps.

This win showed more of a clear direction under coach Emma Hayes, even though she is still constantly adding and switching up players. In a year without a World Cup or Olympics, it’s natural to be experimental. Saturday’s win was a contrast to the team’s last outing, when they looked a bit disjointed in a 2-1 loss to Brazil back in April.

After that loss, Hayes admitted that losing “sucks,” but acknowledged that the experience was one of learning for the younger players.

“What a great experience for them to go into a game which you get to feel the pressure of playing a really, really difficult opponent,” Hayes said. “And if I only prioritize short-term success, of course I wouldn’t make that many changes. But I’m not making decisions for the short-term. I’m prioritizing the progress from expanding the playing pool to getting to see what these players look like in a really difficult match.”

Readers of The IX save 50% on subscriptions to The Next!

The Next: A basketball newsroom brought to you by The IX. 24/7/365 women’s basketball coverage, written, edited and photographed by our young, diverse staff, dedicated to breaking news, analysis, historical deep dives and projections about the game we love.

Subscribe to make sure this vital work of creating a pipeline of young, diverse media professionals to write, edit and photograph the great game continues and grows. Your subscription ensures our writers and editors creating 24/7/365 women’s basketball coverage like what you’re reading right now get paid to do it!

The attacking combination of Michelle Cooper, Alyssa Thompson and Macario worked well for Hayes on Saturday. Sam Coffey and Heaps are always steadying forces in the midfield. Phallon Tullis-Joyce looks more and more like she may be the future in goal. But it was clear that the United States really, really missed Naomi Girma, and was glad to have her back.

Girma, arguably the best defender in the world, returned to the team on Saturday for the first time in 2025. She was originally named to the team’s January camp but pulled out because of a calf injury.

That same month, she became the game’s first million-dollar player when she moved from the San Diego Wave to Chelsea for a $1.1 million transfer fee. She was injured again in her debut for Chelsea.

Hayes called Girma the team’s “security blanket.”

“We’ve missed her. We really have,” Hayes said. “Just in terms of the way we controlled the game, her in the deeper spaces making decisions — when to play forward, when not to — just rebuilding the connections again because if you think about the last time Naomi was here, there’s been a lot of changes. But she said she was so happy to be back. She didn’t realize how much she’d missed it until she drove up in the bus and saw the fans. But she’s a world class player, and you could see that.”

I would also be remiss to not mention Lo’eau LaBonta, who was a spark off the bench, becoming the oldest player ever (at 32) to make a debut for the USWNT. She played with utter joy, seemingly unconcerned about the pressures felt by many national team debutantes.

She was absolutely giddy about her debut on the post-game TBS set. You can read what she said below.

Your business can reach over 3 million women’s sports fans every month!

Here at The Next and The IX, our audience is a collection of the smartest, most passionate women’s sports fans in the world. If your business has a mission to serve these fans, you should reach out to our team at editors@theixsports.com to discuss ways to work together in 2025.

LINKS!

The Athletic took a look at Lo LaBonta’s return to the team.

ESPN wrote about Lily Yohannes’ progression.

ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf also pondered the fact that there’s no “face” of the team right now.

The Philadelphia Inquirer has a story on Emily Fox

Forbes out with the most valuable NWSL teams list

Longtime soccer exec Curt Johnson named GM of Denver’s NWSL team

Jenna Tonelli for SI with an interesting story on how the NWSL is developing broadcast talent

Kayla Fischer must sit out three games because of hair pull.

Front office sports looks at Michele Kang’s coach moving.

The news from the Washington Post: Giraldez heads to Lyon, Gonzalez promoted.

Montemurro, meanwhile, was named coach of the Matildas

Here’s what Lo’eau LaBonta told the broadcast crew following here debut (edited questions for brevity):

Q: What was it like for you when you took that first step onto the pitch tonight?

LaBonta: Well, when they called my name, I was sitting being the best cheerleader I could be on the bench, I was like, `This is amazing. I’ve never been field-view watching the national team.’ It was so cool. And they were like, `Lo, go.’ And I was like, `Go where?’ All right, let’s go. And it’s a quick turnaround. You guys have been in it. It’s like, get your warm up, get the set pieces, get on. So I think now I can exhale. It feels amazing. I loved it.

Q: Did you feel it when you got out there? Was it more like, I’m thinking about myself and just be kind of trying to be calm? Or were you already out there directing and helping and leading?

LaBonta: I think my instincts are like, hey, push up, get that man. But a lot of it too, it was like, `Naomi Girma or Sam Coffey, what do you need me to do? How can I help you guys? You guys have been out here for 80 plus minutes.’ How can I help in those situations? And everybody out there is a leader. Everybody has so much experience. Yes, I have experience in the club level, but not here. So it was just different. But I think I’ve loved every single moment of it.

Q: Were there any last minute instructions from Emma, from any of the players before you went on? Was it like a go out there, just have fun?

LaBonta: Oh, absolutely, Emma, I think always give someone a little piece of just, umph, you know, go out there, don’t stress. Like, you play this game, you know the game, go out there. Have fun. But you know, when they’re telling you that the different set pieces, have this person and mark out there, that was my first thing. I was like, OK, now I can, like, focus on my touch.

Q: You come with a different wealth of knowledge, stepping out there and wearing the crest for the first time at your age. What does that allow you to do differently than maybe somebody at a much younger stage?

LaBonta: I’ve been telling a lot of the younger players, like Cooper and Hutton, both on my team have had call ups, and I’m like, `Develop your game. You can be here for years.’ I’m just trying to get on the field now and be here for the next camp. But for them, it’s these little things they can continue to develop and get better. And that’s what my whole career has been about. So if we can help them now, they’re going to have the longest, most successful careers.

Q: When you heard that Emma was considering you for the Olympics, how have you managed to still stay on task and think that you can be here?

LaBonta: I think in sports in general, you have to have a short term memory, whether it’s wins or losses. And when there’s a loss, you let it sink in, but you learn from it, and you move on. And that’s what I’ve done with every obstacle in my life. And you know me, I’m always joking around in the locker room, and I try and do everything with a smile, but I’m out here grinding. And I think, eventually mama Em called me in and, let’s go!