Gotham FC midfielder Jaelin Howell received a call-up to the United States women’s national team on Monday after midfielder Sam Coffey suffered an unspecified injury in Manchester City’s 4-2 victory over Arsenal on Sunday.
Prior to Coffey’s injury, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said that Howell was a fraction unlucky not to make the initial 26-player training camp roster.
“I think Jaelin Howell is a fraction unlucky not to be in,” Hayes said following the roster announcement. “But I’ve chosen Sam Coffey, Lindsey Heaps, Lily Yohannes and Claire Hutton ahead of her. But I think she has shown not just her durability but consistency in her performance.”
Howell Has Chance to Impress Hayes in USWNT Duty Against No. 1-Ranked Spain
Now, Howell will have the chance to impress Hayes during the October FIFA window, which features two matches against world No. 1-ranked Spain.
The United States will host Spain on October 10 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Chester, Pennsylvania’s Subaru Park will be the stage for the second match on October 13 with a 7 p.m. Eastern Time start.
Gotham teammates Rose Lavelle and Tierna Davidson will also represent the United States.
Howell has made six USWNT appearances and has scored one international goal in a 9-1 win over Uzbekistan on April 9, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.
Prior to Gotham FC’s 1-1 draw against Angel City FC, Hayes met with reporters in the press conference room of Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Hayes on Howell: ‘She’s Improved Her Decision Making’
South Ward Central asked Hayes about the fierce competition for midfield places and Howell’s improvement.
“I’ve said this many times, there’s three levels,” Hayes responded. “There’s club class, international class and world class. I think Jaelin is an experienced player that has demonstrated on the club level that she’s putting in consistent performances.
“I think with the four, Lindsey, Sam, Claire, Lily, they’re the four that lead the way in that. She’ll be just outside of that with a core of three or four others. I’ve always said this, we’re a team that want to dictate possession. I think your ability to break pressure, to break the press, to have the quality to play, those four stand apart in that.
“For Jaelin, there’s no denying her athletic potential to connect the game is of a high order. I think she’s improved her decision making in possession. So she has to keep going because she’ll never know. That door will open. I think she has to keep locked into what she’s doing on a daily basis because I think she has shown improvements in the areas that we want to see.”
Howell Continues Strong Season With Gotham
Howell has started all 27 NWSL regular-season matches for Gotham this season. The 26-year-old midfielder has recorded two assists and is tied alongside Hutton for second overall in the NWSL with 59 tackles.
She also ranks third in the league in fouls drawn (51) and interceptions (51).
When Howell returns from international duty, she and her Gotham teammates will prepare for a meeting against fierce rivals the Washington Spirit at Audi Field on October 17.
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