Women’s Eagles confirm roster for record-breaking night in Kansas City

Wed, Apr 30, 2025, 7:47 PM
CC
by Calder Cahill.
Photo: Lisa Li
Photo: Lisa Li

Two extraordinary records will be broken at CPKC Stadium on Friday night, as the USA Women’s Eagles face rival Canada in the opening match of the 2025 Pacific Four Series.

The purpose-built women’s sports stadium will host a record-setting crowd for a standalone Women’s rugby event in the United States, more than doubling the previous record with tickets nearing sellout. Hope Rogers will also start in the No. 1 jersey and earn her 52nd international selection, breaking the Women’s Eagles all-time career cap record held by Jamie Burke for over a decade. Friday evening is staged to be a spectacular night of rugby celebration, all headlined by one of the best rivalries in the game. USA vs Canada kicks off at 8:30pm ET, live on RugbyPass TV.

Beyond the festivities, the USA is first and foremost focused on competing after a close loss to Japan last week. Head Coach Sione Fukofuka said on the second match of the spring tour, “The loss last week was disappointing for the team and players and staff have been honest in their reviews process. The focus this week has been on getting the details right and being consistent in our actions on and off the ball. We have been working hard at our physicality and being more explosive in our contact, while looking to be decisive with our decision making and game management.

Speaking on Roger’s record, Fukofuka commented, “Hope is humble as a person and works so hard on and off the field it’s easy to celebrate her success. She is a world class player, selected in the 2024 World Rugby Dream Team, and is a great team mate who is helping to push standards and supporting the team to be successful. Hope has been a mainstay of the team for over a decade and is playing some of the best rugby of her career, which is a testament to her commitment to the team and playing for her country.”

Sevens star Ilona Maher is also named to the starting roster at center, this will be Maher’s third USA Eagles fifteens cap and first return to the international pitch since winning bronze at the Paris Olympics. More sevens representation is also selected as Nicole Heavirland is named to the reserves. Heavirland has also joined the fifteens ranks following the Paris games and searching for her first cap since the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Ireland. Lindenwood Lions Freda Tafuna and Taina Tukuafu round out the final roster changes from last week’s fixture.

USA Women’s Eagles Roster | USA vs Canada | Pacific Four Series
NAME CLUB INTL. CAPS
1. Hope Rogers Exeter Chiefs 51
2. Kathryn Treder Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers 26
3. Keia Mae Sagapolu ACT Brumbies 15
4. Hallie Taufoou Loughborough Lightning / Denver Onyx 23
5. Erica Jarrell Sale Sharks 14
6. Tahlia Brody Leicester Tigers / Denver Onyx 11
7. Kate Zackary Ealing Trailfinders 41
8. Rachel Johnson Exeter Chiefs / Denver Onyx 33
9. Olivia Ortiz Sale Sharks 22
10. McKenzie Hawkins Denver Onyx 21
11. Erica Coulibaly Denver Onyx 1
12. Alev Kelter Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers 27
13. Ilona Maher USA Sevens / Bristol Bears 2
14. Emily Henrich Leicester Tigers / Boston Banshees 21
15. Bulou Mataitoga Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers 22
16. Paige Stathopoulos Ealing Trailfinders / Boston Banshees 14
17. Maya Learned Denver Onyx 16
18. Charli Jacoby Exeter Chiefs / Queensland Reds 33
19. Rachel Ehrecke Denver Onyx 19
20. Freda Tafuna Lindenwood Lions 10
21. Taina Tukuafu Bay Area Breakers 13
22. Gabby Cantorna Exeter Chiefs 32
23. Nicole Heavirland USA Sevens / Boston Banshees 10
USA Women's Eagles Coaches & Staff

Head Coach | Sione Fukofuka

Assistant Coach | Mel Bosman

Assistant Coach | Sarah Chobot

Head of Athletic Performance | Charles Dudley

Assistant S&C | Ashley Morataya

Lead Analyst | Caitlin Singletary

Performance Psychologist | Scott Goldman

Lead Physiotherapist | Emily Lauer

Physiotherapists | Natalie Frizzell, Alice Grellman

Team Doctors | Rebecca Rodriguez, Abbie Hamilton, Marvin Valencia

Team Manager | Alana Gattinger

High Performance Director | Tamara Sheppard

Media Manager | Jenni Burke

USA Women's Eagles Schedule | Spring 2025

USA v Japan | 33-39 (L)

Wallis Annenberg Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

USA v Canada | Pacific Four Series

Fri, May 2, 2025 | 8:30pm ET

CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO

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USA v Australia | Pacific Four Series

Sat, May 17, 2025 | 2:55am ET

Gio Stadium, Canberra, Australia

USA v New Zealand | Pacific Four Series

Fri, May 23, 2025 | 11:35pm ET

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand

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