Latest news with #LaBonta
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Catarina Macario and US women coast past China in friendly
US forward Catarina Macario wheeling away in celebration in a friendly at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on May 31. PHOTO: AFP – Catarina Macario scored and had an assist for the United States women's national football team as 'security blanket' Naomi Girma made her return during a comfortable 3-0 friendly victory over China in a friendly in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on May 31. It was the 17th win in 21 games for the English coach Emma Hayes, who was tasked with restoring the Americans to the summit of the women's game following their early 2023 World Cup exit. She has already started the revival with gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On May 31, the former Chelsea manager hailed the return of defender Girma – the first million-dollar player in women's football history. It was her first appearance for the US in 2025. Hayes said: 'We've missed her... Just in terms of the way we control the game; her, in a deeper space, just making decisions when to play forward, when not to.' Sam Coffey added: 'Having her on the field is like having a security blanket.' Macario scored in the 28th minute and set up Coffey's goal in the 35th minute. Lindsey Heaps made it 3-0 in the 54th minute at Allianz Field. This was the first of five matches for the US ahead of Concacaf qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. Next up for the US are Jamaica in St Louis on May 3. Macario proved she is fully recovered and back to brilliance after an anterior cruciate ligament injury cost her nearly two years of action and saw her miss the 2023 World Cup. She has eight goals and five assists in her past nine starts and was in the right spot at the right time for the opening goal. Macario opened the scoring after 28 minutes, bundling home a close-range finish after good work from Alyssa Thompson. The US doubled their tally seven minutes later with a brilliantly worked goal, which began when the gifted 17-year-old midfielder Lily Yohannes released Thompson down the right, who crossed for Macario. Macario played a short pass into Coffey, who swept home with aplomb. Heaps bagged the US' third in the 54th minute, nodding in past China goalkeeper Pan Hongyan to effectively seal the win. A milestone occurred in the 70th minute when Lo'eau LaBonta replaced Yohannes. LaBonta, 32, became the oldest player to make her US debut, surpassing 30-year-old McCall Zerboni. LaBonta is more than 14 years older than Yohannes. LaBonta said: '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!'' REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Lo'eau LaBonta makes historic debut in U.S. women's 3-0 win over China
Naomi Girma returned to the national team and Lo'eau LaBonta became the oldest player to make her international debut for the U.S. in a 3-0 win over China on Saturday. Catarina Macario, Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps scored while goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce got her second shutout in as many appearances. LaBonta, the 32-year-old midfielder for the Kansas City Current in the National Women's Soccer League, came on as a second-half substitute. "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," LaBonta said after the match. "And they were like, `Lo, go.' And I was like, go where? All right, let's go!" The match also marked Girma's first appearance for the national team this year. The 24-year-old defender has been nursing injuries but recently returned to help Chelsea win the Women's Super League title and the FA Cup. Girma commanded a record $1.1 transfer fee when she moved from the San Diego Wave to Chelsea earlier this year. "We've missed her. We really have," U.S. coach Emma 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." Tullis-Joyce, who plays for Manchester United, started in goal in just her second U.S. appearance as Hayes looks to replace Alyssa Naeher, who retired from the national team last year. Macario scored her 11th international goal after Alyssa Thompson kept the ball alive in a tumble in front of the net in the 28th minute. Coffey made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, taking a pass from Macario out front and banging her second goal for the U.S. past goalkeeper Pan Hongyan with her left foot. Heaps, the U.S. captain, scored on a header in the 54th minute. "I feel like tactically we've gone up another level, I really feel that way," Hayes said. "I feel that there's so many more players, that are so much more in control, that we're able to do more. I was pleased with the performance." The United States is currently missing several key contributors from last year's Olympic gold medal-winning squad. Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson are both on maternity leave. Trinity Rodman is dealing with a nagging back issue. The United States famously defeated China on penalties in the 1999 Women's World Cup final. The teams last met in 2023, with the Americans winning both games. The Americans have a 39-9-13 overall record against China, including five straight. The United States was coming off a 2-1 loss to Brazil on April 8. China defeated Thailand 5-1 in its last outing. The U.S. faces Jamaica on Tuesday in St. Louis. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from United States Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta highlights USWNT roster for upcoming matches
Associated Press Midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta has been named to her first U.S. national team roster for matches against China and Jamaica. The 32-year-old LaBonta plays for the Kansas City Current in the National Women's Soccer League and has three goals this season. Joining her in earning a first call-up with the United States is Orlando Pride defender Kerry Abello. Coach Emma Hayes announced the roster on Tuesday. The United States plays China at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 31, then faces Jamaica at Energizer Park in St. Louis on June 3. Should LaBonta play in either game, she'll become the oldest player to make a debut appearance with the national team. The latest roster looks a lot different from the squad that won Olympic gold last year in France. Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson announced pregnancies, while fellow 'Triple Espresso' forward Trinity Rodman is out with a lingering back injury. Back on the squad is defender Naomi Girma, who had not played for the United States this year because of injury. Now healthy, Girma recently concluded the season with Women's Super League champion Chelsea. 'Everyone always earns their call-ups but there are some much-deserved call-ups in this camp for players who have shown consistency in league play,' Hayes said in a statement. 'We have two different types of opponents ahead of us, so we'll have to be creative in breaking down those teams in different ways. Now that everyone has settled into a rhythm with their clubs, or is coming right off their European seasons, our players are at a good level." Seventeen members on the 24-player roster are currently in the NWSL, while seven play in Europe. ___ Roster: Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United) Defenders: Kerry Abello (Orlando Pride), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham) Midfielders: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Heaps (Lyon), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Lo'eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Lily Yohannes (Ajax) Forwards: Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City), Gisele Thompson (Angel City) ___ AP soccer:
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta highlights USWNT roster for upcoming matches
Midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta has been named to her first U.S. national team roster for matches against China and Jamaica. The 32-year-old LaBonta plays for the Kansas City Current in the National Women's Soccer League and has three goals this season. Joining her in earning a first call-up with the United States is Orlando Pride defender Kerry Abello. Coach Emma Hayes announced the roster on Tuesday. The United States plays China at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 31, then faces Jamaica at Energizer Park in St. Louis on June 3. Should LaBonta play in either game, she'll become the oldest player to make a debut appearance with the national team. The latest roster looks a lot different from the squad that won Olympic gold last year in France. Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson announced pregnancies, while fellow 'Triple Espresso' forward Trinity Rodman is out with a lingering back injury. Back on the squad is defender Naomi Girma, who had not played for the United States this year because of injury. Now healthy, Girma recently concluded the season with Women's Super League champion Chelsea. 'Everyone always earns their call-ups but there are some much-deserved call-ups in this camp for players who have shown consistency in league play,' Hayes said in a statement. 'We have two different types of opponents ahead of us, so we'll have to be creative in breaking down those teams in different ways. Now that everyone has settled into a rhythm with their clubs, or is coming right off their European seasons, our players are at a good level.' Seventeen members on the 24-player roster are currently in the NWSL, while seven play in Europe. ___ Roster: Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United) Defenders: Kerry Abello (Orlando Pride), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham) Midfielders: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Heaps (Lyon), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Lo'eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Lily Yohannes (Ajax) Forwards: Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City), Gisele Thompson (Angel City) ___ AP soccer:
San Francisco Chronicle
20-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta highlights USWNT roster for upcoming matches
Midfielder Lo'eau LaBonta has been named to her first U.S. national team roster for matches against China and Jamaica. The 32-year-old LaBonta plays for the Kansas City Current in the National Women's Soccer League and has three goals this season. Joining her in earning a first call-up with the United States is Orlando Pride defender Kerry Abello. Coach Emma Hayes announced the roster on Tuesday. The United States plays China at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 31, then faces Jamaica at Energizer Park in St. Louis on June 3. Should LaBonta play in either game, she'll become the oldest player to make a debut appearance with the national team. The latest roster looks a lot different from the squad that won Olympic gold last year in France. Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson announced pregnancies, while fellow 'Triple Espresso' forward Trinity Rodman is out with a lingering back injury. Back on the squad is defender Naomi Girma, who had not played for the United States this year because of injury. Now healthy, Girma recently concluded the season with Women's Super League champion Chelsea. 'Everyone always earns their call-ups but there are some much-deserved call-ups in this camp for players who have shown consistency in league play,' Hayes said in a statement. 'We have two different types of opponents ahead of us, so we'll have to be creative in breaking down those teams in different ways. Now that everyone has settled into a rhythm with their clubs, or is coming right off their European seasons, our players are at a good level." ___ Roster: Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United) Defenders: Kerry Abello (Orlando Pride), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham) ___
