Five Things to Know: USWNT vs. Republic of Ireland
Here's everything you need to know before USA faces Republic of Ireland at Dick's Sporting Goods Park
The U.S. Women’s National team is back in action for the first of three games in this international window.
Up first, the USA takes on the Republic of Ireland in Commerce City, Colo. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Thursday (9 p.m. ET on TBS, truTV). The USWNT will face Ireland again in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 29 before battling Canada in Washington, D.C in the Allstate Continental Clásico on July 2.
Here are five things to know before USA vs. Ireland on Thursday night:
1. Roses are Red, Lavelle is Back
Midfielder Rose Lavelle returns to the USWNT for the first time in 2025. The World Cup champion last competed in the red, white and blue in the 2024 finale against the Netherlands. Lavelle sustained an ankle injury that required surgery at the beginning of the year.
“It feels really great. It was a long time away, which just made me miss it a lot," Lavelle. “So really happy to be back with the girls. Happy to be back in the environment.”
With 110 appearances, Lavelle is the most capped player on the roster, Emily Sonnett follows behind with 108. She’s in a position group that has four of six players with fewer than 10 caps.
“I feel like I obviously have been in that position before, where I was the newer and inexperienced player,” Lavelle said “And I always say I think I had a lot of really, really great older players to look up to help usher me into the position where I now can be that for the younger players. So, it's definitely something that I lean into.”
2. Roster Changes
The roster for the two friendlies against Ireland and the Allstate Continental Clásico versus Canada looks a bit different than the early June international window, with nine changes. USWNT head coach Emma Hayes gave players with European clubs a break from this camp of friendlies, with the exception of Naomi Girma. Girma played just five matches in the Women’s Super League which runs from August to May. Meanwhile, NWSL players are in full form with the season running from March to November.
Although Lindsey Heaps who plays in France’s top division won’t be competing on the field, the Denver native will make an appearance. The World Cup champion and Olympic gold medal winner will be at U.S. Soccer’s Fan HQ outside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. She’ll sign autographs and meet fans from 5 - 6 p.m. MT. Become a Premium Insider today.
3. Get to Know the New Kids
USA head coach Emma Hayes called in four new players in this June/July camp:
- Jordyn Bugg - Defender, Seattle Reign FC
- Lilly Reale - Defender, Gotham FC
- Izzy Rodriguez - Defender, Kansas City Current
- Sam Meza - Midfielder, Seattle Reign FC
In total, there are six uncapped players on this roster, including goalkeepers Angelina Anderson and Claudia Dickey. Since Hayes became head coach last summer, she’s given 27 players first-time call-ups. As the coaching staff continues to develop talent leading into World Cup Qualifying next year, Hayes is harping on the concept of giving young and inexperienced players exposure to high-level competition.
“I feel like we're in a strong position to I think have less gaps between age groups,” Hayes said. “That's what I found to be the biggest challenge, so I want to close that gap so it's a little more together, but I'm excited...I'm excited for our program. I feel like we're back on track.”
4. Standout Player to Watch
Keep your eye on Ally Sentnor. The forward earned her first cap just over six months ago, and has made an impact on the National Team stage. Sentnor, with four goals, leads the USWNT in scoring in 2025. The last time Sentnor was in a United States uniform, she scored a first-half brace against Jamaica.
At 21 years old, Sentnor has contributed to the attack while several forwards have missed most of 2025, including Trinity Rodman (back), Sophia Wilson (pregnant) and Mallory Swanson (pregnant). Now, without Chelsea forward Catarina Macario, who Hayes has slotted in as the No. 9 this year, Sentnor may get more of an opportunity to display her talents as a striker.
5. USWNT vs. Republic of Ireland History
Through 15 matchups, the USA is undefeated against Ireland. The United States has tallied 51 goals against Ireland and only allowed one score.
The USWNT has scored five goals in seven matches against Ireland; only two games weren’t multi-goal matches for the U.S. side. The most recent matchup in April 2023 was one where the USA won 1-0 in St. Louis.
USWNT legends Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd recorded hat tricks against Ireland in 2012 and 2016, respectively. Former USWNT player and current U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone set the record for most goals against the country with a four-score game in 2004, and it was also the only game where the U.S. allowed a goal from the Irish.