Lo LaBonta Earns First Ever USWNT Call Up

The Kansas City Current are in the middle of a fantastic season. The team sits in first place; four points clear of the next closest team. The 2025 season just got a little sweeter for at least one player on the team.

Captain Lo’eau LaBonta earned her first ever call up to the United States Women’s National Team. The call comes after 11 seasons in the NWSL, 166 regular season matches and a four-year collegiate career at Stanford University. The 32-year-old LaBonta will have two chances to play during this international window as the USWNT play China and Jamaica.

If LaBonta were to enter either of those games, she would become the oldest player to ever get their first cap in the 40-year history of the USWNT. LaBonta is 32.

Credit: Thad Bell

Lo has absolutely earned this call-up. She is the unquestioned leader of the KC Current, having played every minute this season alongside Kayla Sharples and Lorena. She is also the team’s designated penalty kick taker. She is 3rd all-time in NWSL history with 12 PK goals. Beyond that, she is a leader on the field and in the locker room. Claire Hutton’s rise to prominence is greatly impacted by playing next to LaBonta. And we all know she is the “Celly Queen” as well.

USWNT coach Emma Hayes weighed in on the first-time call-ups. “Everyone always earns their call-ups but there are some much-deserved call-ups in this camp for players who have shown consistency in league play,” said Hayes.

LaBonta will be joined at USWNT camp by the aforementioned Hutton, as well as Michelle Cooper. The 19-year-old Hutton has been a staple in the midfield since signing out of high school last season. She’s played in all nine game (eight starts) this season and was called up to a Futures Camp in January and the full USWNT roster in February for the SheBelieves Cup.

Cooper, who also followed a parallel path with call-ups alongside Hutton, has been on the mend from an ankle injury. She hasn’t played since going down injured against the San Diego Wave back on April 12th. Presumably the call up means she’s close to returning. She has four appearances, all starts, for Kansas City this season.

The USWNT play China on Saturday, May 31st in Saint Paul, Minnesota and then come even closer to home to face Jamaica on Tuesday, June 3rd in St. Louis, Missouri. The games will air on TNT and Max in English and on Universo and Peacock in Spanish.

Brazilian Call-Ups

Cooper, Hutton and LaBonta aren’t alone in earning National Team calls for the forthcoming international break. Lorena and Debinha were both called up by Brazil. There has been no update on Debinha’s status, after subbing off injured last weekend against the Orlando Pride. It’s unclear if the injury will impact her leaving to join Brazil.

The Brazilian National Team also have two friendlies as they prepare for the Copa America this summer. They will play Japan twice. First on Friday, May 30th at 11:30 PM CDT and again on Monday, June 2nd at 10:00 PM. Both games are in Brazil.

Update 11:44 AM: Debinha is out injured until after summer. 

Not good injury news for Current. Alana Cook has a long term injury, trying to determine the extent. Debinha not quite long term but prob not back until after the summer. Temwa being evaluated still. On positive side. Cooper is expected to see some time in next game. #kcbaby

— Thad Bell (@thadbell.bsky.social) 2025-05-20T16:17:09.309Z

United States Youth Call-Ups

Not to be left out are two first year KC Current players, forward Mary Long and fullback Katie Scott. They were both called into the US U-20s camp. The youth national team are heading to the 2025 CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Costa Rica from May 29th through June 8th.

Eight teams will compete for the Championship of CONCACAF. The United States will be in Group A alongside Guyana, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, playing each team once. Guyana is on May 30th, Puerto Rico on June 1st and Costa Rica on June 3rd. The top two teams will play the top two teams from Group B (Canada, Panama, Mexico and Nicaragua).

Beyond the seven players already called up, there could be more announcements coming as many players on the KC Current consistently represent their national team.

Update 5/22/25: Nichelle Prince has since been called up by Canada.