Colorado University Athletics
Leyba Twins Earn U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team Call-Up for Spain Trip
April 02, 2026 | Soccer
BOULDER — Colorado soccer standouts Hope Leyba and Faith Leyba have been selected to the U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team for its second training camp of 2026, U.S. Soccer announced Thursday.
The twin sisters are two of just four collegiate players named to the 24-player roster, which is otherwise made up primarily of professional players competing in the NWSL.
The U.S. will train from April 7-17 in Spain, competing in a three-match slate as part of the WU23 Friendly Finals. The Americans will open against the Netherlands on April 10 in Murcia before facing Denmark on April 13 in San Pedro del Pinatar. The final match will come against either France or Scotland, depending on results in the second contest.
The camp continues U.S. Soccer's emphasis on the U-23 level as a key developmental step toward the full Women's National Team, with several players in the program making the jump to the senior squad in recent cycles.
Hope Leyba returns to the U-23 squad after earning her first call-up earlier this year. One of the most decorated players in program history, she is coming off a record-setting 2025 campaign in which she was named a First-Team All-American and the Big 12 Forward of the Year. She led the nation with 22 goals, setting Colorado single-season records for goals and points (45) while helping guide the Buffaloes to one of their most successful seasons in program history.
Faith Leyba joins her sister on the national stage as one of the top defenders in the conference. A two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection and 3rd Team All-American, she has been a cornerstone of Colorado's back line, starting every match over the past three seasons while leading all field players in minutes played during that span. In 2025, she helped the Buffaloes record seven shutouts while adding a goal and a career-high three assists.
