Emma Hayes isn't playing it safe. If you expected the standard veteran heavy-hitters to cruise into the first camp of 2026, you haven't been paying attention to how the "Emma Era" is actually working. The latest women’s USA soccer roster is a massive curveball. It’s young. It’s almost entirely NWSL-based. And honestly? It’s a bit of a gamble.
With matches against Paraguay and Chile on the horizon for late January, Hayes has essentially cleared the deck. You won't see the European-based stars like Lindsey Horan or Emily Fox here. Instead, we have a 26-player training squad that averages just 24.1 years old. That is incredibly young for a program that, for decades, relied on the "once you're in, you're in" veteran loyalty system.
The Trinity Rodman Return and the Missing Gotham Stars
The biggest headline is obviously Trinity Rodman. She’s back. After missing most of 2025 due to some nagging injuries and a contract situation that currently has her listed as "unattached," she is the undisputed veteran of this specific group.
Think about that for a second. Rodman is 23 years old.
She has 47 caps. In this January camp, that makes her the most experienced player by a mile. The rest of the field players combined have scored only 17 international goals. It’s a staggering shift in power.
But why are so many big names missing? It isn't just a "youth movement" for the sake of it. There’s some logistical chaos at play. Specifically, Gotham FC is headed to England to play in the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. That means Rose Lavelle, Jenna Nighswonger, and Tierna Davidson are out. Plus, the January window isn't a "FIFA window," so clubs aren't forced to release players.
Hayes is basically using this as a massive scouting mission. She wants to see who survives when the safety net of the "Triple Espresso" (Smith, Swanson, and Rodman) is partially removed.
📖 Related: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
Meet the Fresh Blood: Four New Faces
You’ve probably seen some of these names in the NWSL, but seeing them on the women’s USA soccer roster feels different. Hayes called up four players for their very first senior team experience:
- Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC): A speedster who was vital in the U-20 World Cup third-place finish.
- Reilyn Turner (Portland Thorns FC): A clinical finisher who has been knocking on the door for a minute.
- Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage): Only 18, but plays with the composure of a 30-year-old.
- Sally Menti (Seattle Reign FC): A technical midfielder who adds a different rhythm to the center of the park.
It’s clear that the 2024 U-20 World Cup team is the new "golden generation." Six players from that specific squad—including Jordyn Bugg and Gisele Thompson—are in this camp. Hayes is trying to build a bridge between the youth ranks and the senior team that actually holds weight.
The Southern California Connection
One weirdly cool detail about this roster? The geography. Nine players on this list are from Southern California. Since the matches are being held in Carson and Santa Barbara, it’s basically a massive homecoming.
We’re talking about players like Lo’eau LaBonta, who at 32 is the "grandma" of the group but only has 4 caps. Then you have kids like Claire Hutton, who is 19 and already feels like a staple in the Kansas City Current midfield. It’s a strange, exciting mix of late bloomers and early prodigies.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
A lot of fans see a roster like this and panic. "Where's Sophia Smith? Where's Naomi Girma?" Relax. They aren't "dropped."
Hayes is being strategic about load management. The 2026 SheBelieves Cup is coming up in March, featuring Argentina, Canada, and Colombia. That is where the "A-Team" will likely reunite. This January camp is about depth. It's about finding out who the backup center-back is if Girma gets a yellow card in a World Cup quarterfinal.
👉 See also: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
Honestly, the most interesting battle is in the goal. With Alyssa Naeher not on this specific list, we’re looking at Claudia Dickey, Mandy McGlynn, and Jordan Silkowitz. Between them, they have 10 caps total. Ten. This is a wide-open audition for the future of the American No. 1 shirt.
The Full January 2026 Roster Breakdown
If you need the quick list of who is actually heading to camp, here is how the 26-player squad shakes out across the pitch:
Goalkeepers:
Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC).
Defenders:
Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC), Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit).
Midfielders:
Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage), Lo’eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current), Sally Menti (Seattle Reign FC), Sam Meza (Seattle Reign FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC).
Forwards:
Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC), Trinity Rodman (Unattached), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current), Reilyn Turner (Portland Thorns FC).
✨ Don't miss: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
Why the "Futures Camp" Mentality Matters
Eight of these players were part of the 2025 "Futures Camp." That tells you Hayes has a long memory. She isn't just picking whoever had a good week in the NWSL; she’s looking for specific personality traits and tactical flexibility.
Take Emma Sears, for instance. She was the top American scorer in the NWSL last season. She isn't just a goalscorer; she’s a workhorse. That is the "Emma Hayes DNA." If you don't run, you don't play.
The average number of caps for this roster is a measly 6.6. If you take out Rodman and Croix Bethune, that number drops to 5. It is essentially an experimental lab. But that’s exactly what the women’s USA soccer roster needs right now to stay ahead of a rapidly improving European scene.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the USWNT this month, keep an eye on these specific things:
- Watch the Jan 24 (Paraguay) and Jan 27 (Chile) matches: These will be the only times you see this specific "experimental" group together before the veterans return for SheBelieves.
- The Trinity Rodman Watch: See how she handles being the "leader." It's a new role for her, and how she mentors the 18-year-olds like Riley Jackson will be telling.
- The Goalkeeper Battle: Watch who starts against Paraguay. That player likely has the inside track to be the long-term successor to the veteran keepers.
- NWSL Chemistry: Look for the "Spirit Connection" between Bethune, Hershfelt, and Rodman. Club chemistry often translates to early goals in these short camps.
Emma Hayes is building a roster that can win in 2027 and 2028, not just beat Paraguay in a friendly. It might look messy or "too young" right now, but this is how you prevent the stagnation that led to the 2023 World Cup exit. The future is here, and it’s currently training in Southern California.