2
Manchester United Women goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has received her maiden call-up to the USA senior women’s team.
Tullis-Joyce has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, with United still unbeaten.
The shot-stopper has kept an impressive five clean sheets in seven WSL appearances. She has also produced a number of very crucial saves that have kept United in games.
Only former Reds Nikita Parris and Alessia Russo have managed to beat Tullis-Joyce this season.
Ahead of the international break, Tullis-Joyce has been included in the USA team for the very first time by Emma Hayes. USA are currently the n.o1 ranked women’s side in the world by FIFA.
The United goalkeeper will be in contention to play in the country’s matches vs. England and the Netherlands on 30 November and 3 December respectively.
Reacting to the honour, Tullis-Joyce said [via United’s website], “I’m incredibly grateful for my family, my friends and the people here at Manchester United who have been nothing but welcoming to me. All the work I’ve put in with Wilko [Ian Willcock] and Saf [Safia Middleton-Patel] this year, I’m just super, super grateful for this opportunity, this is amazing.”
“I found out via email and then I double-checked with Wilko if it was real. He said yeah, and it was a cute moment. I waited for social media for my mom to find out, so I can’t wait to see her reaction.”
On Tullis-Joyce’s selection, Hayes remarked [via Forbes], “Once she comes in, I can see her on the grass. You talk with your coaches. What’s her decision-making like in and out of possession? What’s her execution like? How do her feet move? How commanding is she behind the line? How switched on is she from set-pieces?”
“There’s so many facets to goalkeeping that’s more than just the shot-stopping. Her shot-stopping and her ability to cover the frame is second-to-none. But in terms of building up with the team, connecting with the team – I think there’s room for improvement. I want to see what she looks like with the demands we place on her.”
“It’s not an easy team to come into, there’s a lot of unbelievable experience that’s there but I want to see those things. I want to see where she is with her development but I think she’s had a good start to her career with Manchester United. I know the demands that will be placed upon her I the Women’s Super League, I think it’s good experience for her.”
Hayes added that she wanted more goalkeeping options and Tullis-Joyce was an obvious pick, especially considering she plies her trade in England and is familiar with the type of football they play.
Tullis-Joyce and her teammates are back in action on Wednesday wnen they meet Everton in the Women’s League Cup.
Feature image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
