Hayes said she considered giving Girma the summer off, but star center-back asked to play for the U.S.
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Naomi Girma insisted on playing for the USWNT this JuneOnly non-NWSL player in campHas played fewer minutes this year after calf issuesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Emma Hayes was considering giving Naomi Girma time off this month, but the Chelsea center-back made it clear she wanted to be included in the upcoming USWNT squad, the manager said Wednesday after revealing her roster for three upcoming friendlies.
Girma's inclusion comes as something of a surprise as Hayes has turned to a significant NWSL contingent for the the matches against Ireland and Canada – with 24 of the 25 players in camp coming from the United States' domestic league.
Hayes said that Girma, after discussions, made it clear that she was fit enough to play, and offered her services. She also played in the USWNT's most-recent friendlies against China and Jamaica.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT HAYES SAID ABOUT GIRMA
The USWNT coach outlined her conversation with Girma: "I had a long chat with her about it, and she was like, 'Look, I feel top fresh. I haven't been going back-to-back like all the other players.' She wants to be involved with the national team because she felt she's missed the really key camps for us. And she's still learning what we're looking from her. So we took that decision with all those factors in mind."
GettyWHAT HAYES SAID ABOUT ROSE LAVELLE
Hayes also outlined the importance of the return of Rose Lavelle, who hasn't appeared for the team in more than six months after undergoing ankle surgery.
"We're incredibly excited to have her back with us for multiple reasons," Hayes said. "First of all, her personality and the character in the locker room has been sorely missed the past six months. She's supremely gifted as a football player, and playing between the eight and 10 positions. She's someone who, I think, she's maturing a top level footballer.
"It's where her game has been going in the last 12 months she's she's starting to add new dimensions in between the lines. And I'm so excited for her that she gets back to be back with the team, but also we get to be back with the team when we go to Cincinnati, her hometown – and I know she's extremely excited for that."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Hayes' comments about Girma, and her desire to play this summer, come against the backdrop of controversy with the USMNT and Christian Pulisic, who asked to be removed from the U.S.'s Gold Cup squad to rest and recover. Pulisic has faced criticism from U.S. legends for his decision.
