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Ayo Oke gets first USWNT call-up, replacing Avery Patterson

Seth Vertelney, USA TODAYJanuary 20, 2026 at 4:16 AM

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Ayo Oke has been called up to the U.S. women's national team roster for upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Chile.

The Denver Summit defender replaces Avery Patterson, who has been ruled out of camp due to illness.

Oke receives her first senior call-up after representing the U.S. at several youth international levels.

The 22-year-old attended UC Berkeley and UCLA in college before beginning her pro career in Mexico with Pachuca in 2025. Oke helped Pachuca win the 2025 Liga MX Femenil Clausura title, the club's first league championship.

Last month, Oke joined NWSL expansion side Denver in a deal worth $450,000, per ESPN. The fee was the largest a NWSL team has ever paid to sign an American from abroad.

Oke becomes the first Denver Summit player to earn a USWNT call-up. USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps will join the Summit in June, but was excluded from this roster along with other European-based players who are currently with their clubs.

Oke is the sixth uncapped player in USWNT camp, along with goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz, midfielders Riley Jackson and Sally Menti, and forwards Maddie Dahlien and Reilyn Turner.

The USWNT will face Paraguay on Saturday, Jan. 24, at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The team will then travel north to face Chile at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California, on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

USWNT January roster (club; caps/goals)

Goalkeepers (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 6) Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 4), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC; 0)

Defenders (8): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; 5/0), Ayo Oke (Denver Summit FC; Dash; 0/0), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current; 1/1), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit; 9/0), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 7/0), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 4/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 2/0), Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit; 2/0)

Midfielders (8): Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit; 5/0), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit; 3/0), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; 11/1), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; 0/0), Lo’eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current; 4/0), Sally Menti (Seattle Reign FC; 0/0), Sam Meza (Seattle Reign FC; 2/0), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 11/5)

Forwards (7): Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC; 0/0), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 1/0), Trinity Rodman (Unattached; 47/11), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash; 15/2), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 12/4), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 13/4), Reilyn Turner (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0)

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Source: “AOL Sports”