Post-Olympic evaluation process begins — News from around women’s soccer

“We’re very much in the process of building the 27-28 strategy, the WNT/YNT strategy which we will be delivering in January at our conference, which will be for the YNT and WNT and all of our coaches, so that we can embark on the next steps of our journey,” Hayes said. “So that work in terms of strategy development involves so many key stakeholders — not just inside the federation, but outside — to make sure we not only prepare our teams for the future, but always making sure we take into consideration the steps along the way. So my priority has been developing and building relationships with everybody in the background to make sure we can deliver that on time.”

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Some of the notable absences: Trinity Rodman is still working her way back from injury, while Croix Bethune and Tierna Davidson are injured. Crystal Dunn has a personal commitment and Catarina Macario was left with Chelsea as she continues to work her way back to fitness. Lily Yohannes is still pondering her future with the U.S. team, Hayes said.

Returning to the fold are Ashley Sanchez and Alyssa Thompson, who have both played well in the NWSL this season. Olivia Moultrie is also back with the USWNT after missing out on the Olympics.

The latest roster includes six uncapped players, and three of those have never had a call-up. They inlcude midfielder Hal Hershfelt, defender Emily Sams, center back Eva Gaetino, defender Alyssa Malonson, forward Yazmeen Ryan and forward Emma Sears.

Hayes’ Evaluation Era will continue into the new year, when the team will have a “Futures Camp” alongside the traditional January camp.

“As far as older players the door’s never closed,” Hayes said Thursday about including veteran players who haven’t had call-ups. “That’s why I call it a Futures Camp, because there might have been some more senior players, more experienced players, that are equally entitled to be in camp now. And I don’t want to shut the door, even in January. So a futures player could be a more experienced NWSL player that didn’t get a look now that I really want to look at.”

Here’s the roster:

Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars).

Defenders: Emily Fox (Arsenal), Eva Gaetino (Paris Saint-Germain), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current), Alyssa Malonson (Bay FC), Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC).

Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage).

Forwards: Yazmeen Ryan (Gotham FC), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City), Lynn Williams (Gotham FC).

The matches are the last for the United States on home soil. The team will play a match against England at Wembley Stadium on Nov. 30 and another against the Netherlands at Bingoal Stadium in the Hague on Dec. 3.

News from around women’s soccer

I hate this time of year because of the goodbyes. Like Merritt Mathias:

And Desiree Scott:

And finally, this didn’t go well:

Jeff Kassouf’s roster evaluation for ESPN

The Athletic’s Meg Linehan on the BOS Nation launch

Gotham gives Kelley O’Hara a grand send-off

The Defector with a good story on Temwa Chawinga

Emma Hruby’s take on BOS Nation for The Equalizer

Sports Business Journal on the vetting for the next NWSL expansion team

Midge Purce spoke to SI about the Offseason docuseries

Angel City disputes some of the NWSL’s sanctions

The sale of the Wave is complete

The seventh and eighth NWSL playoff spots are still unclaimed heading into the regular season finales

The Athletic on the growing calendar congestion in women’s soccer

The BBC on the Black coaches leading the Pride this season

Jenna Tonelli for SI breaks down Kelley O’Hara’s most memorable moments

Seth Vertelney for Pro Soccer Wire on Lily Yohannes

Becky Sauerbrunn and other women’s players are protesting FIFA’s deal with Aramco

The Guardian’s Women’s Super League roundup from the weekend