Mar 4, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; United States defender Naomi Girma (4) kicks the ball during the first half against Canada at Scotts Miracle-Gro Field. Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
When the U.S. Women’s National Team kicks off its first of three friendlies against Japan on April 11 in San Jose, it’ll be just the third time Naomi Girma has been in her hometown since she joined Chelsea in January 2025. Those visits were for “long stretches,” she told reporters on Monday, but the central defender is really looking forward to going home nonetheless. “Now that I live far away, it’s so special to get to come home, be around my family, and get to play in San Jose,” she said.
The last game Girma donned the U.S. crest in the Bay Area was for a World Cup sendoff match in 2023, which she said was “really special, and felt like a full circle moment.” When the team played there last April, Girma was injured and couldn’t be in camp.
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