The USWNT and Emma Hayes have luck on their side with the talent pool the national team has. Almost every new player that gets called up performs as well as expected. Now, the USWNT has suitable players in virtually any position. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that there is more than one goalkeeping prospect trying to make it into the team. One goalkeeping prospect who finally has made it to the USWNT roster for the first time is Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The Manchester United goalkeeper’s stellar performance in recent matches attracted Hayes and everyone else’s attention. At 28 years old, Tullis-Joyce gained experience by playing for different clubs, with Manchester United being the last addition to her resume. Now, Tullis-Joyce might have a chance to play for the USWNT for the first time.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s Career Before Manchester United
The move to Manchester United marked a turning point in Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s career. She shined in several matches and people started to see her as a goalkeeping prospect for the USWNT. But there were other teams before the WSL’s side that shaped Tullis-Joyce’s talent. She has previously played for the Miami Hurricanes, Stade de Reims, and the Seattle Reign. She spent two years with Seattle Reign before making a new move. It was in the Summer of 2023 that Tullis-Joyce made the move to Manchester United.
After the departure of Mary Earps, Tullis-Joyce has proven herself quickly. So far, she has been the first-choice goalkeeper for Manchester United. In eight matches this season, Tullis-Joyce managed to get five clean sheets. She has to fill in the absence of an amazing goalkeeper such as Earps, and so far, she has done just that. It took some time for Tullis-Joyce to become a goalkeeping prospect for the USWNT. However, there is no doubt that the wait was worth it. During Manchester United’s match against Leicester City, Tullis-Joyce has made her 100th career appearance. She still has a lot to come, and being called up will only motivate her.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce Joining the USWNT
As the USWNT prepares to take on England and the Netherlands, Phallon Tullis-Joyce is starting her journey to proving herself as a goalkeeping prospect. She is one of two uncapped players that finally got called up for the senior national team. “I’m incredibly grateful for my family, my friends and the people here at Manchester United who have been nothing but welcoming to me,” said Tullis-Joyce when reacting to the news of being called up.
Tullis-Joyce believes that there is no deadline for an individual’s growth. “Maybe on paper, my progress looks a little slower, but you can still have your time. I still believe that no matter what age you are, you can still grow. I’m still learning plenty of new things,” she said, according to the BBC. She is absolutely right because she joined the national team at 28 years old. Tullis-Joyce’s age doesn’t affect or lessen her talent; it sharpens it.
What Did Emma Hayes Have to Say About Her?
Since Emma Hayes joined the USWNT, she has been giving players chances. Not only is Hayes depending on some regulars, but she is also introducing new talents to the national team. Now, Phallon Tullis-Joyce is a goalkeeping prospect that Hayes would want to examine.
According to Forbes, Hayes shared her thoughts about choosing Tullis-Joyce while speaking to the media. “You don’t know until you see someone every day. 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?” Hayes said.
Hayes Believes Tullis-Joyce Can Improve
While Tullis-Joyce has been performing well so far with Manchester United, Hayes believes there is still work to do. “I think there’s room for improvement. I want to see what she looks like with the demands we place on her,” the USWNT head coach said. Hayes also commented on Tullis-Joyce’s start with her new club, “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.”
In the end, Hayes’s selection of a goalkeeping prospect such as Tullis-Joyce has to do with building the USWNT. New players need to come in so that the team has a solid foundation, not just for now but also for the future. “I just want to try and build out the goalkeeping pool a little bit so this is a really good moment, considering she plays in England and she is very, very familiar with the style of play here,” she continued.
Why Phallon Tullis-Joyce Can Prove Herself as A Goalkeeping Prospect For the USWNT
There is no doubt that Tullis-Joyce is talented. It was her talent that made people see her as a goalkeeping prospect for the USWNT. But Tullis-Joyce doesn’t just have talent to depend on. She also has a character. It takes a strong character to keep going and waiting for your chance to come. Tullis-Joyce has this kind of strong character. The 28-year-old player has made sure to leave her impact on every team she joined. It was a gradual movement for her to reach the stage she is in.
When Tullis-Joyce joined Manchester United, Earps was still with the team. Instead of thinking that she won’t get a chance, Tullis-Joyce waited and didn’t give up. This kind of character is essential for any player to find success. Now after several years of playing, Tullis-Joyce has finally received a call-up to the national team. This is, of course, a dream for many players, but it takes hard work and patience; Tullis-Joyce has both. If there is one thing that will help her prove herself as a goalkeeping prospect for the USWNT, it will be her work ethic.
Who is Phallon Tullis-Joyce Off the Pitch
Phallon Tullis-Joyce isn’t just a goalkeeping prospect for the USWNT. Along with her passion for soccer, the goalkeeper is very passionate about marine biology as well. “When you’re in kindergarten, they always ask: ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’” she says. “My little card said: ‘I want to be a marine biologist,’ and I was obsessed with soccer from the start and obsessed with marine biology from the start. I always knew that those were my paths,” she revealed in an interview with The Guardian.
Luckily, Tullis-Joyce managed to pursue these two paths. On the academic level, she studied marine science and biology at the University of Miami. Even today, Tullis-Joyce makes sure to keep her passion for marine biology alive while she plays. She intends to pursue her academic passion even after she retires. Right now, Tullis-Joyce wants to help Manchester United find their way to success. But in the future, she would like to pursue a doctorate in marine ecology and marine protected areas. Hopefully, she will add that to her list of accomplishments along with presenting the USWNT.
What’s Next for Phallon Tullis-Joyce
While Tullis-Joyce has plans for her time after soccer, she still has plans for her soccer career. The goalkeeping prospect still has several things to prove, but she is on the way to doing that. She has the talent and the work ethic, but what remains is for her to reach her full potential. Speaking with football writer Chris Brookes. Speaking with football writer Chris Brookes, Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner had good things to say about Tullis-Joyce. “I’ve never seen a goalkeeper make the saves that she makes… I think you’re going to see a world-class goalkeeper,” Skinner said.
Tullis-Joyce definitely has the foundations that could make her be a world-class goalkeeper. She has already been showing her talent with Manchester United this season. More than that, Tullis-Joyce is always up for a challenge. She played in France, the United States, and now in England. With every move she makes, she keeps pushing herself forward.
Now, as a goalkeeping prospect for the USWNT, Tullis-Joyce will only work harder. She is the kind of player who doesn’t wait for success; she chases it. Whether Tullis-Joyce gets to play in the USWNT’s upcoming games or not, she is still a great goalkeeper. It won’t come as a surprise if she, one day, starts for the team. After all, her work ethic can make anything possible.
Image via @USWNT on Instagram
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