Haile Mace replaces Kelley O'Hara on USWNT roster | OneFootball

Haile Mace has been added to the 23-player USWNT roster facing Nigeria in the upcoming friendlies, replacing an injured Kelley O’Hara.

The Washington Spirit defender was forced to withdraw from the squad after suffering from a “lingering hip injury that needs some extended rest".

Mace will now take over, earning her first USWNT call up since the team’s identification training camp in December 2019. She’s managed three caps with the American side, featuring in the 2018 Concacaf Women’s Championship.

While Mace is listed on the USWNT roster as a defender, she can also play as a midfielder. Her versatility as a player makes her an ideal candidate for the upcoming friendlies.

Head coach Vlatko Andonovski didn’t stray much from the side that won last month’s Concacaf W Championship, bringing back most players in some capacity. Emily Sonnett, and now O’Hara, stand as the only players not to return.

“All the players on the roster performed well in Mexico at qualifying and have carried that form for their clubs, so we’ll continue the process of growing as a team with this group in what will be two challenging games against Nigeria,” said the head coach.

Crystal Dunn will also return to the national team stage, joining camp strictly for training after giving birth to her son Marcel on May 20.

The USWNT will host Nigeria on September 3 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, and then again three days later at Audi Field in Washington D.C.