Leyba twins receive call-up from U.S. U-23 Women's National Team

Defender Faith Leyba (#44) and striker Faith Leyba (#45) received call-ups to the USWNT's U-23 squad on Thursday amid dominant careers with the Colorado Buffaloes. (Photo by Fidel Gonzalez/Sko Buffs Sports)

Striker Hope Leyba and defender Faith Leyba of the Colorado Buffaloes have been named to the United States Under-23 Women’s National Team for its three-match slate as part of the WU23 Friendly Finals. The Leybas make up half of the collegiate players selected to the squad, which is otherwise made up of professionals from the NWSL. 

The call-up is Hope Leyba’s second of the year, which follows a standout season that saw her score 22 goals in 24 appearances. She scored the second-most in the country and the most in Colorado’s program history. 

At the end of the season, she was named Big 12 Forward of the Year and a First-Team All-American.

Faith Leyba had a stellar season in her own right. She received First-Team All-Big 12 honors and was named a Third-Team All-American. The defender has started every game for CU over the past three seasons, and in 2025, she helped her backline keep seven clean sheets. 

The Leybas led the Buffs to their best season in over a decade. Their play sent Colorado to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 12 years.

The twins will train with the rest of the U-23 squad from April 7-17 in Spain. The U.S. will open its campaign against the Netherlands on April 10 in Murcia.

The Leybas will begin their senior season when the Buffs return to Prentup Field on Aug. 12. It will be a Rocky Mountain Showdown against the Colorado State Rams.