Tullis-Joyce Emerges as Top Contender for USWNT Goalkeeper Position
MANCHESTER — While many soccer players typically take their summers to relax in glamorous locations like Ibiza or Dubai, 29-year-old Phallon Tullis-Joyce, the goalkeeper for Manchester United, used her offseason to broaden her horizons.
“I spent time with an incredible researcher named Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza,” Tullis-Joyce shared. “Her work with stingless bees combines indigenous knowledge with scientific research. Shadowing her in the Amazon rainforest was truly amazing. It was fantastic, but I was also eager to reunite with my teammates and start training again.”
This relentless desire for self-improvement, along with her remarkable skills, has made Tullis-Joyce a fan favorite at United. After transferring from the Seattle Reign in 2023, she transitioned smoothly from being the backup to Mary Earps to the undisputed starter, leading to her regular appearances with the United States women’s national team.
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Last season, Tullis-Joyce started every match in the Women’s Super League for United, securing the Golden Glove award alongside Hannah Hampton of Chelsea as her team finished in third place. Her impressive performances led to her inclusion in the 2025 PFA Team of the Year and helped United achieve qualification for the UEFA Women’s Champions League main draw for the first time in this new format. This achievement sees her as part of the joint-best defense in the WSL this season.
Despite her accolades, Tullis-Joyce’s journey to recognition required patience. She recalls times in the early stages of her career when she struggled financially and how she waited an entire season for her chance in the WSL after joining United.
“I was aware that Mary Earps was here when I arrived,” she reflected. “Working alongside her taught me what it means to be a goalkeeper for Manchester United, especially under the pressure of high standards. It was a period when I had to work hard without much recognition, preparing myself to eventually take on the starting role.”
For Tullis-Joyce, the road to becoming the first-choice goalkeeper for the U.S. women’s national team has been long yet rewarding. With United and the national team aiming for significant successes in the near future, she feels she has many more milestones to achieve.
“I’ve been fortunate throughout my journey,” she commented. “I’ve positioned myself for success, but the trust put in me by my coaches has been invaluable, and I am genuinely thankful for that.”
“Emma brings a vast amount of knowledge but also emotional awareness. She makes an effort to connect with her players personally, and from the very start, she has taken the time to know me. As a coach, she clearly communicates her expectations, which motivates me even more. I am eager to continue being the best version of myself for her, for Marc, for the club, and for my country.”
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