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New York Times
2 days ago
- General
- New York Times
USWNT ‘on track' to meet Emma Hayes' June deadline for establishing a core group of players
ST. PAUL, Minn. — As a year without a major tournament, 2025 has sometimes felt listless when watching the U.S. women's national team. That isn't an indictment of their quality or caliber — far from it. Since winning the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, head coach Emma Hayes has undergone a thorough examination of the broader player pool beyond the core she inherited from predecessor Vlatko Andonovski. A year into the job, Hayes has already given 23 players their USWNT debuts, and three more players could earn their first cap in this window. Advertisement After a few months of analysis, Hayes is narrowing down her squad. Earlier this year, Hayes said she hoped to identify her core group of players for the buildup to the 2027 Women's World Cup. She affirmed that timeline on Friday at Allianz Field ahead of Saturday's friendly against China. 'I feel we're very much on track for identifying that core group,' Hayes said. 'It's important not to get too drawn in on identifying 23 players; the pool has to be bigged up because of injury, because of illness, because of pregnancy, because of whatever. My job is to develop a larger group of players that, by the time we reach a tournament setting, have been given the right exposure to put ourselves in the best position possible.' Throughout this window, the majority of focus will be on the senior team. However, Hayes was quick to point out the ongoing camps involving the under-20 and under-23 teams as well. The U-20s kicked off the Concacaf Under-20 Women's Championship on Friday with a dominant win over Guyana, while the U-23s defeated Germany with a last-minute goal in the first of a pair of friendlies. That U.S. squad is almost entirely built of professional players — the lone college player, Evelyn Shores, scored the winner on Friday. The U-23 camp has a few members of Hayes' broader player pool: Jaedyn Shaw, Korbin Albert and Mia Fishel made the trip to Germany. While they'll be playing away from the senior squad, this camp gives this trio and other more established professionals a chance to showcase their leadership. USWNT U23 v Germany: Jordyn Bugg finds Evelyn Shores for the game winner [image or embed] — USWNT Cuts (@ May 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM 'Think about Jaedyn Shaw, Korbin Albert — 20, 21, respectively — being accelerated from youth football to senior football without that step,' Hayes said. 'Sometimes I think we expect so much from them, and they're still inexperienced players that maybe need a little bit more time in that age group. Advertisement 'I think we need to remain patient with the squad. I've seen so much development. I always view things tactically: How well are our players understanding what we're asking, and how well are they applying it?' Hayes praised her 'great group of senior players' who have continued to establish benchmarks for newcomers to meet. Lindsey Heaps is once again captain for this camp, while vice captain Naomi Girma returns to the national team for the first time in 2025, having previously dealt with minor injuries and a move to Chelsea. Five members of the 23-player squad have over 60 caps with the USWNT: Heaps, Lynn Biyendolo, Crystal Dunn, Emily Sonnett and Emily Fox. They have been in multiple camps this year, giving some continuity in a time of heavy rotation. Even if there's some understandable desire to slow this merry-go-round of selections from window to window, it's all part of the buildup to the 2027 Women's World Cup and 2028 Olympics. 'It's a crazy time, because we're obviously missing a lot (of players), but I think it's crucial for us to see who else can be in that major player pool,' Heaps said. 'This is how it works, and how the cycle works, and I think it's given us the ability to really look at these youngsters coming up and stars coming up, which is really special.' Unique to this camp, Hayes has called up a player who is both a rookie and an experienced leader. Lo'eau LaBonta, 32, has been among the NWSL's best all-around midfielders since the Kansas City Current debuted in 2021. Hayes previously said her staff 'agonized' over whether or not to give LaBonta her debut as part of last summer's 18-player Olympic squad, but she has now found an ideal window to bring her into the fold. Several members of the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympic squads remain out due to injury reasons (as is the case for Trinity Rodman and Rose Lavelle), pregnancy (Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson) or both (Andi Sullivan). Hayes acknowledged these factors have undeniably altered her planning for each window. Advertisement 'I can only pick available players. People often ask me, 'Where is this player?' ' Hayes said, 'A lot of the time, they're unavailable.' But having a player like LaBonta, who captains her club and has played at a high level for years, gives a different kind of leadership for young players to study. 'Lo'eau's situation should serve as a reminder to everyone that we watch every game and that we are invested in what you're doing, day in, day out,' Hayes said. 'Age is just a number. She's fit, she's healthy, she's someone who's always striving, and I've heard her speak a number of times. Even her self-awareness, she's someone who constantly sees that there's room for improvement in what she's doing. 'You take someone like Lily Yohannes, at 17, or Claire Hutton, at 19, there's still a gap. (LaBonta is) a way to close that, and I think she could be a good role model for Lily, for Claire.' LaBonta has relished the opportunity. She referred to club teammates (and, now, international teammates) Hutton and Michelle Cooper as 'her babies,' a title of endearment that she extended to Yohannes when speaking in the mixed zone on Friday. Still, she isn't here to be an extension of the coaching staff in the heart of the park. As Hayes acknowledged, LaBonta is in the mix to make additional squads moving forward. While the veteran expected a different kind of atmosphere in a 10-day camp, where, as Hayes said, 'you can't waste a session,' even LaBonta had to appreciate how it feels to participate in these windows. 'I would say what I expected, but I didn't even know until I was in it, was the level and speed,' LaBonta said.'I think at the professional level, we have Vlatko (Andonovski) coming from U.S. Soccer at our club. We're like, 'Oh, he demands standards,' but here it's just even quicker. I love it so much. I'm out there like, 'I need to bring this back to my club.' I would have loved to develop in this environment, but I'm here now, and I'm enjoying it.' Advertisement While Hayes is undeniably a studious tactician, introducing new members with each successive window can complicate some of that coding. The game relies heavily on combinations, whether it's the relationship between the goalkeeper and their backline, how a defensive unit operates or how a midfield duo or trio works in tandem. As such, much of the education process is ensuring each player knows their role, with the next step being to foster those relationships. Even for someone as young as Yohannes, those instructions have come through clearly. 'Emma makes it clear what she expects from me, as well as for the team,' Yohannes said. 'Every camp, we just continue to build on that. With every different opponent and different style of play, we try to adapt, and that's just something that you try to bring into a game to help the team.' As has become customary since Yohannes' emergence, Hayes urged for patience before piling expectations onto the 17-year-old midfielder. Still, Hayes pointed out how valuable her time with Ajax has been in helping her learn how to operate against teams playing with mid-to-low defensive blocks — a defensive structure that the U.S. often faces as opponents hope to slow their progress into the final third. Given all the changes, the World Cup still feels far away — perhaps even more distant than the 754 days between Saturday's friendly and the tournament opener in Brazil can illustrate. Still, those plans in identifying a core group of players remain on track as far as Hayes is concerned, as are the broader initiatives she and her backroom staff have undertaken to ensure that she leaves the program better than she found it last summer. 'I can't believe I've only been here a year, to be honest with you,' Hayes said. 'When I reflect on the work that's being done by so many people, it's so exciting to think, if I'm to fast forward to 2031, the work and the impact that everybody's having now for the future of the game. 'I think what we are putting together is a system so that it goes beyond just a pipeline of players. It's a support system around girls and women that I think will take our game up a notch.'
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘He's quite keen to come to rugby': Nathan Cleary at centre of bombshell defection claim
Nathan Cleary has been linked to a bombshell defection to rugby union as he reportedly eyes up a new challenge. The Panthers halfback has achieved almost everything possible in rugby league, having won four premierships, two Clive Churchill Medals, a State of Origin series and the World Cup for Australia, and over the past several months his representatives have reportedly been sussing out if a code hop could be on the cards. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Since late last year rumours have circulated about Cleary potentially weighing up a move to rugby union. Cleary spent his childhood years in a rugby-mad New Zealand household and has previously mentioned he'd consider a code switch in the future, although it still seemed like a long shot. But according to Wallabies legend Tim Horan, it is far more than just a rumour. 'You might not have to wait too long (for him to be playing rugby,' Horan said in a segment on Stan Sport's Rugby Heaven. 'There's been some rumours the last two months that he's quite keen. 'I've heard it totally separate, he's quite keen to come to rugby.' The timing of Horan's comments are significant, with Rugby Australia (RA) looking forward to the 2027 World Cup on home soil. And with Joseph Sua'ali'i having immediate success in the 15-man code, the idea of having Cleary in Wallabies colours is a tantalising prospect. However, despite that Horan doesn't believe he is the right man to target, but does understand why RA officials would be interested. 'I don't think it's the right thing for Australian rugby to do, we've got a lot of talent coming through,' he said. 'But I tell you what, if Nathan Cleary says 'I'm interested in playing the game' you've got to have a coffee.' The latest development comes after former RA chairman Hamish McLennan claimed Cleary has been considering making the switch for a while. At the end of last year, McLennan revealed up to six NRL stars were open to negotiating with RA for a cross-code defection. He stated he was unsure whether the players were aware of the third-party approach but insisted there was genuine interest. 'Earlier this year, I got told Cleary and a few other top NRL players were keen to come to rugby via a third party,' McLennan told The Daily Telegraph in November. 'It wasn't directed at me, but I believe it was all real. Perhaps they (Cleary and the other NRL players) wanted to test the waters with a few people, but by then I had left Rugby Australia. '(But) RA has to go after Cleary, absolutely.'
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
England looking to bring ‘fun and energy' for ODIs with West Indies
A day before the first one-day international against West Indies, England's players were up and about early on the Colts Ground opposite Aldi. Harry Brook starts as their new permanent white-ball captain in this sold-out day-nighter, a game in which eighth host ninth in the middle aisle of the men's ODI rankings. Those rankings sometimes elicit a shrug among the major nations but neither side is one at present. South Africa and Zimbabwe are hosts of the 14-team World Cup in 2027, after which the next eight spots are booked via the International Cricket Council ladder in March that year. West Indies know all about the perils of the qualifying tournament for the other countries, with the original world champions – winners in 1975 – missing out on the 2023 edition in India. Even with the 50-over format on the retreat globally there is a fair bit of cricket to go before then and England could simply do with a series win to start Brook's captaincy. The role came up after a winter of discontent that led to Jos Buttler falling on his sword: in six ODIs this year they have mustered six defeats, with those against Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa in Pakistan leading to them ending the Champions Trophy at the bottom of the heap. 'We are going to bring a lot of energy, competitiveness and fun out there,' Brook said, setting out the vision he and the head coach, Brendon McCullum, have for this new phase. 'We want to try and put opposition bowlers under pressure from their best balls. I feel when I'm batting my best, I do that quite often.' Brook cited Ben Stokes as his leadership muse and in time he could well be his successor as Test captain. The Yorkshireman also put the struggles that followed Buttler's T20 World Cup win in 2022 down to never having his full-strength side for bilateral series, something that he and McCullum are looking to change. Buttler was actually absent from the optional training on Wednesday, less to give Brook some space and more because he has only just returned from the Indian Premier League. West Indies did not quite have England's financial muscle to withdraw their players after Operation Sindoor – India's recent missile strikes on Pakistan – pushed back the end of the IPL. Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd were in their original squad but are now staying in India to complete the tournament. The new-look England do not actually feature any new faces, rather some of the recent faces playing in new positions. Brydon Carse returns to give the attack some snarl after a recent toe injury, while the statement move, if it can be called that, is to promote Jamie Smith to open alongside Ben Duckett – a plan that McCullum first floated in Pakistan when Smith was parachuted into No 3 and made scores of 15, nine and nought. '[McCullum] just had this burning desire that Smudge could be an amazing opening batter in one-day cricket' said Brook, confirming that Buttler would be taking the wicketkeeping gloves. Smith has been promised a long run to make the position his own, with McCullum believing he has the game to ransack the power-play. England (confirmed): Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood. West Indies (possible): Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (wk & c), Amir Jangoo, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales. Another being backed for a 'quite a while' is Jacob Bethell, who has not played for England since a hamstring injury back in February but is another returned from the IPL. Unlike the Test team, there is no ambiguity about the 21-year-old coming straight back in and this means operating as one of two spin bowling all-rounders alongside Will Jacks. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion Bethell was late on parade in the morning and looked no older than some of the net bowlers England had roped in from the local leagues. But chatter about what this left-hander might achieve has been following him since his days growing up in Barbados; chatter that Shai Hope, the West Indies Indies captain, was happy to contribute towards. 'I first saw him at under-15s on the Police Ground in Weymouth,' said Hope, whose West Indies side are fresh from a 1-1 series draw in Ireland. 'Seeing what he's done over the last couple of months, internationally, franchise cricket as well, he's certainly a formidable talent; one of those players who can go a very long way in their career. 'Every time I play against him, every time I see him, yes, he's not necessarily full-on Bajan [these days], but it's great to be around him, it gives me a sense of home. I'm happy for him, seeing the success he's had … but we are enemies this time.' There was a twinkle in Hope's eye here. This is the friendliest of rivalries even if Bethell turning out for England – as part of the English IPL contingent who have returned in time – underlines how the playing field is not exactly level.
The South African
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Rassie Erasmus: What Springboks have to do!
The Springboks currently enjoy a healthy world rankings lead of 2.42 points ahead of second-placed New Zealand, but there is a very clear vision from Rassie Erasmus that the world champions can get even better. With new coaches coming in and a decisive move towards expanding the team's attacking play, Erasmus has again made it clear that there is more evolution necessary. 'The coaches have been working tirelessly to improve our structures to ensure that we can improve on our performances last season, and it was great to see how the players responded to the adaptations and changes we have made to our structures,' Erasmus commented after the latest team camp. 'We have said time and time again that we have to continue to evolve to remain a force at the top level of the game, and although we are under no illusions about the challenging season ahead, we are pleased with the progress we have been making off the field, and we are really looking forward to the season ahead.' Maintaining a position of strength will be more important than ever by the time this season comes to an end, with the draw for the expanded 24-team 2027 World Cup set to take place in December. 28 June: vs Barbarians, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:05. 5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Kick off: 17:10. 12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. Kick off: 17:10. 19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick off: 17:10. 16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10. 23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10. 6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05. 13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05. 27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10. 4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00. 8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: TBD. 15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: TBD. 22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40. 29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10. *SA Rugby are working on adding two more Tests for the Springboks, likely to be against Japan and Portug Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October. Ticket sales Tickets are on sale via and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s. (*booking fees apply)
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
When is the next Rugby World Cup draw?
The Springboks' planning for their World Cup title defence in 2027 is already well under way, with South Africa currently enjoying a healthy rankings gap of 2.42 points ahead of second-placed New Zealand, while they are 2.95 points clear of third-placed Ireland. Maintaining a position of strength will be more important than ever by the time this season comes to an end. The draw for the expanded 24-team 2027 World Cup is set to take place in December, and so the rankings then will be used to determine the top seeds for the draw. It's already been confirmed that next Rugby World Cup will feature 24 teams in an expanded format, with all qualifiers taking place in 2025 as teams worldwide compete in a series of regional qualifiers, each striving to secure one of the 12 available places. For the first time in the in the professional era, the men's pool draw will take place with all 24 participating teams confirmed. Scheduled for December 2025, the draw will be based on the World Rugby Men's Rankings at the end of the November international window. This approach ensures a more accurate and up-to-date seeding process and adds significant weight to every international test match played in the remainder of the calendar year. World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: 'As we head towards the most inclusive and globally representative tournament ever, with 24 teams competing in an expanded format and at least one nation from each of our regional associations, this final step on the 'Journey to Australia 2027' will be a celebration of ambition, resilience and the global spirit of rugby. 'We cannot wait to see which team earns the final place and joins us for what promises to be a unique celebration of rugby and Australia in 2027.' Rugby World Cup 2027 will be the first edition to feature an expanded format with 24 teams, a new round of 16 and increasing the number of matches to 52. 28 June: vs Barbarians, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:05. 5 July: vs Italy, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Kick off: 17:10. 12 July: vs Italy, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. Kick off: 17:10. 19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick off: 17:10. 16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10. 23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10. 6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05. 13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05. 27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10. 4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00. 8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: TBD. 15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: TBD. 22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40. 29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10. *SA Rugby are working on adding two more Tests for the Springboks, likely to be against Japan and Portug Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October. Ticket sales Tickets are on sale via and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s. (*booking fees apply)
