Picture Credit score: Scott Wachter-Imagn Photographs
The U.S. girls’s nationwide staff has introduced the 26-player roster for the April worldwide window, throughout which it’s going to face Japan thrice. The roster marks the return of two notable members of the gold-medal-winning squad from the Paris Olympics, who additionally boast World Cup expertise: Sophia Wilson (née Smith) and Tierna Davidson.
Wilson, a goalscoring menace and member of the ‘Triple Espresso’ entrance line, makes her first roster in 15 months following her being pregnant and the start of her daughter in September. This may even be the primary time Wilson performs for the U.S. below her married identify. The 25-year-old has appeared for the Portland Thorns in every of their Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League matches up to now this season. If Wilson performs, she’ll be the 18th mom to play for the USWNT, and if she scores, she’ll be the ninth participant to attain for the U.S. as a mother.
Davidson returns from the ACL damage she suffered in the beginning of the 2025 NWSL season, which left her absent from the U.S. squad for 13 months. The 27-year-old versatile defender made her first look for Gotham FC for the reason that damage in NWSL Match Week 2.
“As our team continues to evolve, it will be great to welcome back Sophia and Tierna, who are not only great players but also contribute positively to our team environment,” head coach Emma Hayes mentioned within the roster launch.
Hayes can be bringing again certainly one of her extra skilled goalkeepers within the Houston Sprint’s Jane Campbell. The goalkeeper has 10 caps however has not made a world look since Feb. 26, 2025, which was a U.S. loss to Japan in the latest assembly between the groups. Michelle Cooper, the 23-year-old ahead, additionally returns, making her first roster in 2026 after recovering from accidents.
The roster options 19 NWSL gamers and 7 who’re at the moment enjoying for golf equipment in Europe.
That is simply the second time in Hayes’ tenure that her senior nationwide staff roster has zero uncapped gamers on it, the primary time being her final roster taken to the SheBelieves Cup. A number of stats mirror how Hayes’ roster is getting extra skilled as her core squad turns into clear, together with the common caps per participant heading into the primary match towards Japan being 37.4, fairly a bit greater than latest rosters.
The primary of the three matches will happen in San Jose, Calif., on April 11. That match might be adopted by a recreation in Seattle, Wash., on April 14, and the collection will end off with a 3rd match on April 17, in Commerce Metropolis, Colo. Two gamers could have the possibility to play of their residence NWSL stadiums: Bay FC midfielder Claire Hutton in San Jose at PayPal Park and Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey in Seattle at Lumen Discipline.
The final time the U.S. confronted Japan was in February 2025. In that match, Japan defeated the People 2-1 to win the SheBelieves Cup.
Japan received the 2026 Asian Cup on March 21 by defeating Australia 1-0 within the remaining. That match served because the Asian Soccer Confederation’s {qualifications} for the 2027 World Cup; Japan efficiently certified, alongside Australia, China, North Korea, the Philippines and South Korea.
“Japan is undoubtedly one of the top teams in the world, and they are performing at a very high level coming off their Asian Cup title, which was impressive to watch,” Hayes mentioned. “Playing the same country three times in a row, and especially a team that is as dedicated to their style as Japan, will be a massive test for our team and I’m looking forward to seeing how our team handles the numerous challenges these games will present.”
Earlier in March, the U.S. received the 2026 version of the SheBelieves Cup.
FULL ROSTER (Membership; Caps/Targets)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Sprint; 10), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 8), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 6)
DEFENDERS (9): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 67/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 74/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 52/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Sprint; 10/1), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 7/0), Emily Sams (Angel Metropolis FC; 9/1), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 115/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel Metropolis FC; 7/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 4/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester Metropolis, ENG; 44/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 173/39), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 15/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 118/27), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 15/5), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 34/10), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 16/1)
FORWARDS (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas Metropolis Present; 10/1), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 4/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 52/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 17/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas Metropolis Present; 18/7), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 29/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 58/24)
