So, you’ve probably noticed the latest us womans soccer roster looks a bit... different. If you were expecting to see the usual superstars like Sophia Smith or Naomi Girma on the team sheet for the upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Chile, you might be scratching your head. Honestly, it’s not because they’ve been benched.
It’s about the calendar.
The January 2026 camp falls outside the official FIFA international window. That basically means clubs in Europe don't have to let their players go. Because of that, Emma Hayes has gone full "NWSL mode." Every single player on this current 26-woman roster plays in the National Women’s Soccer League. It’s a bold, localized look at the future, and frankly, it’s the most inexperienced squad we’ve seen in years.
The Return of Trinity Rodman
The biggest story here is the comeback of Trinity Rodman. She’s only 23, but on this specific roster, she’s basically the elder statesman.
Rodman hasn't suited up for the USWNT since April 2025 due to some nagging injuries that kept her sidelined for most of last year. In her only 2025 appearance—a win over Brazil—she scored the game-winner. Now, she’s back and currently listed as "unattached" amid rumors of a massive move to Europe.
With 47 caps and 11 goals, she has more international experience than almost the rest of the roster combined. To put that in perspective, excluding Rodman and Croix Bethune, the average number of caps per player is just five.
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That is wild.
Emma Hayes and the "Ready Now vs. Ready Later" Strategy
Emma Hayes isn't just picking names out of a hat. She’s obsessed with depth. Since she took over, she has handed out 27 first-time caps. No other manager in USWNT history has experimented this much this early in their tenure.
She's looking at the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. This January camp is a massive audition for the us womans soccer roster that will eventually compete in the 2026 SheBelieves Cup in March against Argentina, Canada, and Colombia.
The New Faces to Watch
There are four players in this camp who have never stepped on the field for the senior team before.
- Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC): A speedster who was a standout at the U-20 World Cup.
- Reilyn Turner (Portland Thorns FC): A Southern California native who gets to play in front of a home crowd.
- Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage): A technical midfielder who logged nearly 2,000 minutes in the NWSL last season.
- Sally Menti (Seattle Reign FC): Another young talent Hayes is eager to test under pressure.
It’s a Southern California heavy roster, too. Nine players, including Rodman, Gisele Thompson, and Lo’eau LaBonta, grew up in the area. Playing the Paraguay match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is a homecoming for nearly a third of the team.
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The Midfield Shuffle and the LaBonta Factor
Let’s talk about Lo’eau LaBonta for a second. At 32, she’s the oldest player on the roster and actually the oldest player to ever debut for the USWNT. It’s a "better late than never" situation that fans have been screaming for.
She’s joined in the midfield by Croix Bethune and Claire Hutton. Hutton just turned 20 a few days ago, but she’s already shown she can handle the physical nature of the international game.
The defense is equally fresh. We’re seeing names like Jordyn Bugg and Tara Rudd (formerly Tara McKeown, she got married in December). Without the veteran presence of someone like Becky Sauerbrunn or even a mid-career leader like Tierna Davidson, this backline is going to have to communicate like crazy to stay organized.
Why This Roster Matters for 2026
If you think these friendlies don’t matter because the "A-team" isn't there, you're kinda missing the point. Last year, players like Ally Sentnor and Emma Sears were "bubble" players. Now, Sears is coming off a season where she was the top American goal scorer in the NWSL with 10 goals.
These windows are where players prove they can handle the "Hayes way."
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The tactical flexibility Hayes demands—shifting from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 or using a false nine like Catarina Macario—requires a very specific type of soccer IQ. This camp is a grueling classroom.
What to Watch For in the Coming Weeks
The team faces Paraguay on January 24th in Carson, followed by Chile on January 27th in Santa Barbara. If you're tracking the us womans soccer roster for the long haul, watch these three things:
- The Rodman-Sentnor Connection: Can they find a rhythm together in the attack?
- The Goalkeeper Battle: With Phallon Tullis-Joyce out with a facial injury, Claudia Dickey and Mandy McGlynn are fighting for that backup spot behind Jane Campbell.
- The Development Overlap: There is a concurrent U-23 development camp happening at the same time. Don't be surprised if Hayes "promotes" a standout like Wrianna Hudson or Ashlyn Puerta if someone in the senior camp picks up a knock.
Keep an eye on the SheBelieves Cup roster announcement in late February. That’s when the European-based stars like Lindsey Horan and the "Triple Espresso" trio of Smith, Swanson, and Rodman will likely reunite. Until then, enjoy the NWSL takeover. It’s the most unpredictable the USWNT has been in a decade.
Actionable Next Step: Check the official U.S. Soccer app or website on the morning of January 24th for the starting XI against Paraguay. Seeing which of the four uncapped players gets the nod will tell you exactly who impressed Emma Hayes during the first week of training.