U.S. women’s national team manager Vlatko Andonovski opened the door this week to a possible return by forward Christen Press.

The 34-year-old is still rehabbing an ACL tear, suffered in an NWSL match in June while playing for Angel City FC, but Andonovski estimated she could be ready for game minutes by the USWNT’s international window in April.

“Kelley O’Hara, Christen [Press], Tobin [Heath], they’re all in return-to-play protocol,” Andonovski told reporters on Wednesday after announcing the 2023 SheBelieves USWNT roster. The SheBelieves Cup will take place from Feb. 16-22, too soon for a number of players to fully make their way back from injury.

Press is currently in 2023 preseason camp with Angel City and has been updating fans on her progress through social media during the offseason. She posted a video showing her working on lateral movement in a gym environment in December, followed by one of her and Heath jogging together on a soccer pitch on Jan. 15.

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Return-to-play protocol consists not only of building cardio fitness back up, but also non-contact training and then full-contact training. When speaking about Press’ USWNT teammate Catarina Macario’s own ACL recovery, Andonovski estimated it takes five to six weeks of full-team training to be ready for game minutes. He had also estimated back in October that Press could be ready for limited minutes by late February or early March.

While Press’ injury has kept her from soccer for most of the year, other questions hang over her possible inclusion on the USWNT’s April roster. Prior to last year’s World Cup qualifying Concacaf W tournament, Andonovski said that it was form — not fitness — keeping Press away from the team.

“Christen Press was not on the roster even before the injury,” Andonovski said at the time. “We’re very sorry for her injury and don’t have confirming information on the extension or the significance of the injury. We just hope that it is not too serious.”

“It’s not easy to be a forward in the United States right now,” he continued. “Obviously it’s great, but it’s not easy because the competition just got bigger and bigger.”

However, he spoke highly of Press to reporters this week.

“Christen Press, who I think is very similar to Tobin, just very experienced, has been in two World Cups, won two World Cups, and we know that can be an asset on any team,” Andonovski said.

He also praised Heath, saying she is “absolutely” still in the running for 2023 World Cup roster consideration.

“Anyone that is healthy and ready and in good form and can help this team be successful is gonna be looked at and selected for the roster for the World Cup,” the coach said.

Monday's 24-player USWNT roster drop sees new faces stepping up as head coach Emma Hayes gifts Triple Espresso — forwards Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mal Swanson — some well-earned time off after a grueling 2024 campaign.

While 15 of the team's 22 reigning Olympic gold medalists will feature in upcoming friendlies against world No. 2 England and the No. 11 Netherlands, the three forwards "are dealing with nagging injuries that need rest after a long year representing club and country," per US Soccer.

"Not one of these players want to ever miss a game for playing for their country. I want to be really clear about that," Hayes told reporters in Monday's press conference.

"But two, I want to make sure these players are prepared for a long time to come. And when you're in the backend of a season, and you're playing a lot, and your body's tired, your mind's tired, that's where sometimes it can become risky."

The US camp will begin on Sunday, one day after the 2024 NWSL Championship. Three league standouts — Orlando's Emily Sams and Washington's Casey Krueger and Hal Hershfelt — will join the USWNT after playing for the league title and before the world No. 1 team faces off against the runners-up of the last two World Cups.

Young USWNT talent to step up in Triple Espresso's absence

In their stead, NWSL rookies Emma Sears and Ally Sentnor, plus newly minted 20-year-olds Jaedyn Shaw and Alyssa Thompson will therefore take over frontline duties for the US squad when they face the last two European champions.

Hot off a significantly strong bronze medal-winning U-20 World Cup performance, 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year nominee Sentnor is one of two uncapped call-ups, alongside Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

The duo will join seven players who earned first caps during the USWNT's October camp. That list includes Orlando defender Emily Sams and Utah goalkeeper Mandy Haught, both currently up for NWSL individual awards.

The roster's lone teenager is 17-year-old Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes, who announced her official decision to represent the US one week ago. Yohannes could see playing time against the Netherlands, her home country since 2017.

"[Yohannes] knows she has to work hard with the playing pool being as strong as it is, but I think she's an exceptional talent," noted Hayes. "I'm delighted that we can develop a very young Lily Yohannes over the next few years to prepare her for a future with the national team."

Four veterans lead November's USWNT roster

With over 100 caps each, US captain Lindsey Horan, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, midfielder Rose Lavelle, and defender Emily Sonnett will helm the USWNT's final 2024 matches.

Similarly, after missing the last US camp with injury, veteran Tierna Davison will return. The defender is likely to pair with October's goalscoring hero Naomi Girma at center back.

The combination of veteran leadership and fresh faces is a hallmark of Hayes's rosters. Accordingly, the USWNT boss hones in on developing what she hopes will be a championship team.

"This is the end of a wonderful year, but we’re still at the beginning of our process of building towards qualifying for the next World Cup," Hayes stated.

"This trip will be about testing ourselves against two world class teams with opportunities to develop our roster. We will continue to build relationships on and off the field and I’m really excited to work with this group as we continue to set the stage for 2025."

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November's USWNT roster

• Goalkeepers: Mandy Haught (Utah Royals), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
• Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Eva Gaetino (Paris Saint-Germain), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), 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 (Olympique Lyon), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)
• Forwards: Yazmeen Ryan (Gotham FC), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City), Lynn Williams (Gotham FC)

How to watch the final 2024 USWNT friendlies in Europe

First, the US will battle England at London's iconic Wembley Stadium at 12:20 PM ET on November 30th. Then, they'll travel to The Hague to contend with the Netherlands at 2:45 PM ET on December 3rd.

Both friendlies will air live on TNT.

This weekend's NWSL semifinals left it all on the field, with Orlando and Washington advancing to the 2024 NWSL Championship after two days of physical play, epic saves, and legendary goals.

With the 2024 Shield-winning Pride and the No. 2-seed Spirit now set to battle for the league title, November 23rd's championship match will be the first to feature the top two regular-season clubs in five years.

Kingsbury saves the day for the Spirit

To book the Spirit's NWSL Championship ticket, Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury played superhero on Saturday, saving every penalty kick she faced to defeat reigning champs Gotham FC.

Entering their first-ever postseason clash with wildly similar resumes, the clubs' 120 minutes of play ending in a tense 1-1 deadlock to force just the second playoff shootout in NWSL history seemed almost prophetic.

In front of a sold-out Audi Field crowd of 19,365 fans, Gotham striker Esther opened scoring early in the second half. That goal stood until stoppage time, when Spirit rookie Hal Hershfelt netted a dramatic equalizer.

With 42 fouls and six yellow cards between the two teams, Gotham was ultimately forced to play the bulk of extra time with just 10 players after a hard challenge saw defender Bruninha sent off with her second yellow in the 101st minute.

Buoyed by Hershfelt's late header, the Spirit held off Gotham through extra time to force the decisive shootout. While Washington's Ashley Hatch, Lena Silano, and Tara McKeown converted their attempts, Kingsbury produced three straight saves to spoil shots from Gotham's Esther, McCall Zerboni, and Jenna Nighswonger.

With Kingsbury's heroics ending Gotham's back-to-back title dream, Washington will return to the NWSL Championship for the first time since their 2021 title win.

Marta magic sends Orlando to NWSL Championship

Behind attacking magic from Haley McCutcheon, Barbra Banda, and Marta and a defense that held record-setting Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga silent, Orlando bested Kansas City 3-2 on Sunday to punch a ticket to their first-ever NWSL Championship.

The Current struck first, when KC forward Michelle Cooper's deft cross was sent into the back of the net by midfielder Debinha.

The Pride, however, soon pulled ahead, as a quick equalizer from McCutcheon gave way to Banda's emphatic second-half strike.
 
Brazilian legend and Pride captain Marta ultimately scored the game-winner. After forcing both KC center backs to the ground with her footwork, the 38-year-old dribbled past goalkeeper Alma Schult before cooly slotting the ball over the line.

Orlando defender Emily Sams called the jaw-dropping strike "such a Marta goal," saying "she's the GOAT and she proved it tonight."

Kansas City's final push saw midfielder Vanessa DiBernardo score a handball penalty in second-half stoppage time, but Orlando held on to register the dramatic victory.

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A historic NWSL Championship matchup awaits

Orlando and Washington's upcoming NWSL Championship match will cap a record-shattering season for the league, with even more history on the line.

Saturday's final will be the first contested by two teams who failed to make the previous season's playoffs, and while Washington will hunt a second NWSL title, the Pride will take aim at their first.

If successful, Orlando will become just the second team to ever snag both the Shield and the championship in the same season, joining North Carolina, who did so in 2018 and 2019.

"It's the top two teams in the league, which doesn't happen often in the championship game," noted Orlando head coach Seb Hines. "I think both teams deserve to be in this championship game because it's the most consistent teams throughout the season."

In today's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins takes a deep dive into the end-of-season NWSL awards, comparing her ballot with the announced finalists to predict this year's winners. Watkins then gives her final picks from the pool of nominees, choosing the best of the best in a year flush with impressive performances.

Later, Watkins previews the blockbuster NWSL semifinal matchups between the league's top four teams, predicting the results and forecasting who will ultimately win a ticket to Kansas City to compete in the 2024 NWSL Championship.

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode.

The NWSL announced more details around November 22nd's second annual Skills Challenge on Thursday, including competition rules and eight participating athletes.

Beginning at 6 PM ET the evening before November 23rd's 2024 NWSL Championship match, two teams of league stars will compete in a trio of skills contests. The winning squad will split a $30,000 check from sponsor CarMax — up from $25,000 last year.

Retired NWSL and USWNT icon Sam Mewis will host the event.

Three events await Skills Challenge contenders

The 2024 edition of the Skills Challenge returns two events — Player Shootouts and the Crossbar Challenge — while replacing last year's 2-on-2 TeqBall competition with a new contest called the Gauntlet.

Meant to highlight athletes' agility and dribbling skills, the Gauntlet places a player within a starting circle surrounded by five mini-goals of various sizes. The smaller the goal, the more points it is worth.

The athlete will have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible, but must exit the circle to take a shot. At the same time, the other team's defenders will attempt to thwart scoring attempts, but they cannot enter the circle.

Reminiscent of penalty kicks (PKs), the Shootout's nine rounds will feature one player against the opposing team's goalkeeper. Unlike PKs in a match, goalkeepers have freedom of movement and are not limited to staying on the goal line. Similarly, the attacker can dribble away from the starting spot to shoot from anywhere on the pitch, as long as they do so within eight seconds.

Finally, in the Crossbar Challenge, the two Skills Challenge teams will take turns trying to hit the crossbar from the 18-yard line, with each hit adding one point to the team total.

After reaching five points, a team will double the distance from goal to 36 yards. The first team to hit the crossbar from there, while still alternating shots, wins the event.

Stars gear up to showcase their skills

Though full 2024 Skills Challenge rosters will be revealed in the coming days, the NWSL dropped eight contenders in Thursday's announcement.

The lone veteran from the 2023 competition is Houston forward Michelle Alozie, who will join Skills Challenge rookies Angelina (Orlando), Kate Del Fava (Utah), Savannah DeMelo (Louisville), Jaelin Howell (Seattle), Savy King (Bay), Kailen Sheridan (San Diego), and Morgan Weaver (Portland).

Should Orlando advance from this weekend's NWSL semifinals to November 23rd's NWSL Championship, Angelina will withdraw from the skills competition.

How to watch the 2024 NWSL Skills Challenge

The Friday event at the University of Kansas Health System Training Center is free and open to the public.

Those unable to attend in person can watch a full replay of the event on the afternoon of Sunday, November 24th, when the Skills Challenge will air nationwide on CBS.