SAN JOSE, Calif. (Sept. 30, 2026) – Bay FC, in partnership with Pebl, announced today that defender Heather Gilchrist and forward Karlie Lema have been selected to join the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team for training and friendlies during the October international window. Both will join the U-23 roster for training alongside the senior national team at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center before the U-23 squad takes on the Dominican Republic Oct. 9 and 13.
Gilchrist’s selection marks her first to a national team program since joining the professional ranks. The invite is her first since 2025, when she joined the U-23 squad’s June camp in Commerce City, Colo. ahead of her senior college season. She previously had been selected by the U.S. for its 2025 Futures Camp and the 2024 U-20 World Cup in Colombia, where she helped the squad to the Bronze medal alongside her now-Bay FC teammate, midfielder Claire Hutton. After starting the season on the 45-day injury list, Gilchrist debuted Aug. 9 at Chicago Stars FC and scored her first career goal the following week at the Utah Royals. She’s appeared in seven matches for Bay FC this season, totaling 510 minutes.
Lema’s selection is her second by the U.S. U-23 squad this season and first since March. The Morgan Hill native and former Cal Bear has surged since NWSL play resumed following the June international break. Her seven goals in that span are tied for third-most in the league and tie the club record for goals scored in a single regular season. She’s appeared in every match for her club in 2026, amassing over 1,500 minutes and 20 starts in 26 appearances. She recorded her 50th career professional appearance Sunday vs. Orlando.
The U.S. U-23 WNT will play two full international matches at the end of its camp, taking on the Dominican Republic U-23 WNT on Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. ET and Oct. 13 at Noon ET. Both games will be on Field 3 at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center.
Bay FC plays its final match ahead of the October international break this Saturday as the club visits the Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. PT, and the match will broadcast live on ION. The club plays its next home match Oct. 18 against Portland Thorns FC, tickets remain available at BayFC.com/tickets.
U.S. U-23 WNT Roster by Position – (Club; Hometown)
Domestic Training Camp and Matches – Fayetteville, Ga.
Goalkeepers (2): Angelina Anderson (Angel City FC; Danville, Calif.), Teagan Wy (Gotham FC; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Defenders (8): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; El Cajon, Calif.), Carolyn Calzada (Portland Thorns FC; Sugar Hill, Ga.), Kate Del Fava (Utah Royals FC; Kenosha, Wis.), Heather Gilchrist (Bay FC; Boulder, Colo.), Savy King (Angel City FC; West Hills, Calif.), Leah Klenke (Houston Dash; Houston, Texas), Ayo Oke (Denver Summit FC; Lawrenceville, Ga.), Jayden Perry (Portland Thorns FC; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Midfielders (6): Kimmi Ascanio (San Diego Wave FC; Doral, Fla.), Gia Corley (San Diego Wave FC; Tacoma, Wash.), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; Roswell, Ga.), Ally Lemos (Orlando Pride; Glendora, Calif.), Ally Sentnor (Angel City FC; Hanson, Mass.), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; Frisco, Texas)
Forwards (8): Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Wave FC; San Diego, Calif.), Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC; Edina, Minn.), Jordynn Dudley (Gotham FC; Milton, Ga.), Mia Fishel (Seattle Reign FC; San Diego, Calif.), Caiya Hanks (Portland Thorns FC; Kailua-Kona, Hawaii), Jameese Joseph (Utah Royals FC; Beltsville, Md.), Karlie Lema (Bay FC; Morgan Hill, Calif.), Kat Rader (Houston Dash; Stuart, Fla.)
