INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce made six saves while earning a clean sheet against Brazil on Saturday in her first appearance for the U.S. women’s national team.
Her toughest test of the day, however? “The first whistle,” the 28-year-old said, smiling as she spoke about nerves ahead of that game.
Such is the current state of the USWNT’s goalkeeping position: For the first time in decades — maybe ever — the squad now faces an extended period of uncertainty without a clear No. 1 emerging. A fabled position of strength is now one of the team’s biggest question marks.
Two-time World Cup winner and 2024 Olympic champion Alyssa Naeher retired from international duty at the end of last year at age 36. Since then, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has effectively been conducting an open tryout for the position over the past six months.
Tullis-Joyce firmly entered her name into that open audition on Saturday. The Manchester United goalkeeper had been watching the goalkeeper race from a slight distance up until recently, but even after earning her first senior cap, Tullis-Joyce is as much of a contender to become the new No. 1 as any other goalkeeper in the pool.
Jane Campbell, 30, had ostensibly become the favorite for the job in recent months, but she did not play in…
