Duke Women's Soccer Is Sending More Talent To The National Stage

Three former Duke women's soccer stars make headlines as they join the ranks of the USWNT and U-23 national teams for crucial October matches and training camps.

Three former Duke women’s soccer players are back in the U.S. Soccer picture this month, with Michelle Cooper headed to the full national team and Carina Lageyre and - earning U.S. U-23 call-ups for October training camp.

Cooper was again selected by the United States Women’s National Team for the October FIFA international window, joining a roster that will get tested right away with a pair of friendlies against top-ranked Spain, the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. The defending Olympic champions open the window on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2:30 p.m.

ET at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., then meet Spain again on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. ET at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.

The first game will air on TBS, while the second will be shown on TNT. Both matches will also be available on HBO Max, with Universo and Peacock carrying Spanish-language coverage.

Cooper enters the break with 14 caps, seven starts, one goal and two assists for the Stars and Stripes. The United States is ranked second in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, just behind Spain at No. 1.

A 2022 Hermann Trophy winner at Duke, Cooper is in her fifth season with the Kansas City Current of the NWSL. She has produced 16 career goals and 12 assists as a pro.

Lageyre and Rader will take part in the U.S. U-23 training camp from Oct. 5-13 at the Arthur M.

Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia.

The U-23 group will train alongside Emma Hayes’ senior team during the week, which also includes Cooper.

At the conclusion of camp, the U-23s will play two full international matches against the Dominican Republic U-23 squad, with games set for Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. ET and Oct. 13 at noon ET.

Both matches will be played on Field 3 at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center.

Lageyre is currently with Angel City FC and has started 18 straight matches while recording two assists and 1,612 minutes. Rader, the leading candidate for the 2026 NWSL Rookie of the Year, has started 25 of 26 matches, leads all rookies with 10 goals, and has added one assist in 2,173 minutes.

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