Meet the three newcomers to the USWNT: Yazmeen Ryan, Emma Sears and Alyssa Malonson

The U.S. women’s national team will play against Iceland in a friendly on Thursday with some familiar faces, and others that are new to the senior team.

In total, six uncapped players were called up to the USWNT, including three who have made their first senior national team roster: Yazmeen Ryan, Emma Sears and Alyssa Malonson. Two of the uncapped players, Emily Sams and Hal Hershfelt, were alternates at the Paris Olympics.

Eva Gaetino is the other uncapped player, with this being her second USWNT roster call-up after previously having been called up for the SheBelieves Cup earlier this year. While the team was limited on the amount of new faces it could call up in the Olympic victory tour under its CBA, four Olympic players being out due to various reasons left some additional spots open. Hayes will use this three-game international window to her advantage to take a look at different players, saying that the rosters will likely be different in all three friendlies.

"This is the one moment I will look to do it," Hayes said. "This is the window for me to see some of the talent pool beyond the players selected to the Olympics."

Who are these newcomers? INDIVISA takes a look.

Yazmeen Ryan

A former sixth-overall pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft, Ryan is a two-time NWSL champion having won titles with both Portland and Gotham. It’s a long-awaited call-up for the midfielder, who once starred at TCU.

“We are so proud of Yazmeen,” TCU head coach Eric Bell said in a statement. “I can’t think of anyone that is more worthy of this opportunity than her. A lot of people have been waiting for this for her. This has been a long time coming and that day has finally come. It’s a fantastic opportunity for her to improve.”

With four goals and four assists for Gotham this season, she’s been one of the club’s best players and put together her best NWSL season to date. That says a lot, considering she’s been nothing but consistent since entering the league. With experience in the center midfield, center attacking midfield and on both wings, there’s not much that Ryan can’t do from an attacking standpoint.

She’s been brought on for the USWNT as a forward, and she’s got an unmatched passing ability that could lead to more national team call-ups in her future.

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Emma Sears

This marks Sears’ first national team call-up at any level, with the Racing Louisville rookie having not been through the youth ranks. She’s got 10 starts under her belt this year, and is averaging 0.34 goals per 90 minutes. Her five goals this season ties Uchenna Kanu for the most on her team this season and is a Racing rookie goal scoring record.

With 31 successful take-ons this season, Sears ranks top 10 in the league, according to FBref. Similar to other USWNT forwards, Sears is quick and good in 1-v-1 situations, making her dangerous and effective.

Speaking about the call-up, Sears said that she feels “extremely honored” to have the opportunity, and it’s not one she takes lightly.

“I think just reflecting on the season thus far, if you had told me that this is gonna be the outcome of my rookie season I definitely wouldn’t have believed you,” she said. “It definitely comes as a shock for sure … For me to be walking into a team that has been so successful, I feel super honored.”

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Alyssa Malonson

A former Auburn standout and 2021 SEC Defender of the Year, Malonson becomes the first Auburn Tiger to be called up to the USWNT.

“Super excited to see Alyssa earn her spot on the National Team,” Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said in a statement. “She has always put the work in, at Auburn, in the NWSL, she has just grown leaps and bounds. We could not be more proud of her.”

Acquired by Bay FC in the expansion draft, Malonson signed a three-year contract extension with the club in August, with head coach Albertin Montoya noting that she has “the talent to be one of the top outside backs in this league.”

An exciting fullback, Malonson could provide some much-needed depth on the defensive end. She ranks in the 95th percentile or higher in tackles, interceptions, clearances and aerials won, according to FBref. One of the quickest fullbacks in the league, she could slot in nicely to a role that Crystal Dunn has been exceptional at.

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