Five Things to Know: USWNT vs. China PR

The U.S. Women’s National Team's summer series of matches kicks off Saturday, May 31 against China PR in St. Paul, Minn. at Allianz Field (4:30 p.m. CT / 5:30 p.m. ET on TBS, Max, Universo and Peacock in Spanish; Westwood One Sports on radio). This is the first of five matches the USWNT will play this summer on the road to qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

These matches serve as a chance for head coach Emma Hayes and staff to get a look at different players and continue to develop the team in the lead up to the largest event in global women’s sports.

Here's what you need to know before watching the USA take on China PR:

VETERANS RETURN

This roster is relatively young with the players averaging 30.7 caps. The last two rosters— the SheBelieves Cup and the April matches vs. Brazil — also were young squads, but neither of them featured stalwart defender Naomi Girma.

At just 24 years old, Girma is still one of the veterans in a position group that features four players with five or fewer caps, including first-time call-up Kerry Abello. Girma dealt with injuries that sidelined her from competing internationally in 2025. The world-class center back has 44 caps to her name and earned an Olympic gold medal in 2024.

In addition, Lynn Biyendolo joins this camp after an injury kept the forward away from the April friendlies against Brazil. Biyendolo comes in with 75 caps, including experience playing in two Olympics. She’s tallied 22 international goals and 13 assists.

YOUNG BUT READY IN GOAL

The goalkeeper position is still anyone's gloves after legendary two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Alyssa Naeher retired from international play in 2024.

Since Naeher hung up her cleats for the USWNT, four ‘keepers have been called into camp and three different players have defended the goal for the United States. This roster features first-time call-up Claudia Dickey, as well as Mandy McGlynn (three caps) and Phallon Tullis-Joyce (one cap). Both Tullis-Joyce and McGlynn started each of the April matches while Jane Campbell made two starts in February. Tullis-Joyce got the win and a clean sheet while McGlynn and the USWNT fell to Brazil 2-1 in the second friendly.

Hayes said after the roster announcement that she’ll have a clearer picture of the position group pool by the end of this camp.

MORE FRESH FACES

During her tenure so far, Hayes has given 23 players their first-ever call-ups to the U.S. Women’s National Team. That continued for these matches against China and Jamaica, with three more newbies on the roster.

Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, defender Kerry Abello and midfielder Lo’eauLaBonta joined the team for the first time. New players are typically on the younger side, and that’s the case for Dickey and Abello, who are both 25 years old, but Hayes also awarded a call-up to 32-year-old LaBonta. If she plays, she’ll be the oldest player ever to debut for the USWNT.

After the roster announcement, Hayes was clear about giving opportunities to those who have excelled at the club level. LaBonta is the captain for the No. 1 team in the NWSL, the Kansas City Current. She’s started all 10 games with the Current tallying three goals and one assist. Abello has been a key part of the stingy Orlando Pride backline,and won an NWSL Shield and Championship last season. Dickey has been one of the best ‘keepers in the league by Hayes’ definition with 26 saves and three clean sheets.

USWNT vs. CHINA PR HISTORY

The U.S. and China PR have met 60 times in the USWNT’s 40-year history, which is the second-most against any country behind Canada. The two countries last met in December 2023 where the USA won 3-0 and 2-1 in a pair of friendlies. Most notably, USA met China in the 1996 Olympic gold medal game and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final where the Americans won both crucial and tightly-contested matches.

LAST TIME AT ALLAINZ

When the USWNT last played at Allianz Field in June 2024, Lily Yohannes earned not only her first cap but also scored her first goal. Yohannes, then 16 years old, scored in the 3-0 win over Korea Republic. She was the third-youngest scorer in program history. Now, almost a year later to the day, Yohannes has six caps under her belt and is looking for her second goal since her debut.

Overall, the U.S. has played three matches in St. Paul, Minn. — a victory against Portugal and two wins over Korea Republic. In a short history at the stadium, there have been some significant USWNT moments, from introducing a new talent in Yohannes to saying goodbye to a legend in Carli Lloyd in 2021, where the midfielder ended her international career.