The United States Women’s National Team is off to the races in 2026, embarking on a schedule that culminates with the all-important 2026 CONCACAF W Championship, at which qualification for the next World Cup shall be determined. The calendar opened with a victory over Paraguay (6-0), with Emma Hayes’ side looking strong on the attack and stout in the defensive structure. Another friendly, this time against Chile, closes out the January camp, as the South American program is slowly breaking into the region’s
upper tier and seeking to reach the big stage for a second time after competing at the 2019 tournament. Santa Barbara, California’s Harder Stadium – a 17,000-seat multi-purpose venue with a Bermuda grass playing surface – hosts the fixture.
This is the fourth all-time meeting between the two teams, with the USWNT holding a 3-0-0 advantage and triumphing in the most recent meeting, a 3-0 result in Group F at the 2019 World Cup. Ranked 47th internationally by FIFA, Chile finished sixth at last summer’s Copa América with a disappointing showing in the group stage before falling to Paraguay (1-0) in the placement match. The ongoing CONMEBOL Nations League (sans Brazil) doubles as World Cup qualifying, and La Roja (The Reds) is currently fourth and in line for a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs with a draw in Venezuela (0-0), a romp over Bolivia (5-0), a potentially costly defeat to Peru (1-3), and a victory against Paraguay (1-0).
Luis Mena was appointed to lead the senior team in May of 2023, with several seasons of experience managing at domestic side Colo-Colo, claiming the 2022 Campeonato Nacional. The 46-year-old retired centre-back spent the entirety of his playing career with El Cacique outside of a brief loan at Deportes Puerto Montt, winning 11 national titles and a Chile Cup. Thus far, the highlight of his tenure is a silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Games, falling to Mexico in the final (0-1).
Mena named a 21-player roster for the friendly, a squad that features several new faces. The entire group is based in the domestic Campeonato Nacional Fútbol Femenino, spread across four clubs. Notable absences include Christiane Endler, Fernanda Pinilla, Catalina Figueroa, Camila Sáez, Nayadet López, Karen Araya, Yenny Acuña, Sonya Keefe, Antonia Canales, and María José Urrutia. Goalkeeper Catalina Mellado withdrew with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and was replaced by Oriana Cristancho.
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GOALKEEPERS (2): Ryann Torrero (Colo-Colo), Oriana Cristancho (Universidad de Chile)
DEFENDERS (8): Rosario Balmaceda (Colo-Colo), Michelle Olivares (Colo-Colo), Fernanda Ramírez (Universidad Católica), Karen Fuentes (Universidad de Chile), Anaís Cifuentes (Colo-Colo), Mariana Morales (Universidad de Chile), Catalina Arias (Colo-Colo), Gabriela García (Universidad de Chile)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Yanara Aedo (Colo-Colo), Yessenia López (Colo-Colo), Yastin Jiménez (Colo-Colo), Gisela Pino (Unattached), Amparo Abarca (Universidad Católica), Valentina Peña (Universidad Católica)
FORWARDS (5): Mary Valencia (Colo-Colo), Vaitiare Pardo (Universidad Católica), Ámbar Figueroa (Universidad Católica), Adriana Moreno (Coquimbo Unido), Francisca Vargas (Universidad de Chile)
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Mena typically deploys his squad in a “classic” 4-3-3 formation and has endeavored to have his young team fix errors that are “correctable from a technical and tactical point of view.” When possible, he uses a high press to offset the opponent but also attempts to “dominate possession and punish down the wings.” Chile looks to push the tempo, play early balls into the box, and prioritize set pieces. The attack goes through feast or famine, and “ineffectiveness” miscues at the back can be a source of misery.
Burbank, California’s Ryann Torrero should get the start with Christiane Endler and Antonia Canales out of camp, giving the former Campbell Lady Camel a chance to stake her claim. The 35-year-old Colo-Colo goalkeeper has won three straight domestic league titles since joining the club in 2023 and was named to the Best XI in 2025. She is eager to come off her line and has an athletic style that enables her to pull off wonder saves at all distances and recover quickly in order to deal with the rebounds. Her best moments come during situations that require interpretation and quick thinking, such as reaching a cross after dodging several bodies or coming out on top in the middle of a scramble.
Fernanda Ramírez departed Colo-Colo and signed a new contract with Universidad Católica after spending the past season on loan, finding a new berth for her veteran leadership and penchant for important blocks. She had a somewhat late start to her international career after debuting in 2020 but is a hard worker who “gives everything” and wins her fair share of headers at five feet, eight inches tall. Mariana Morales made her senior international debut during the Nations League, recently signing a contract extension and being cited for her versatility, safety, and clean passing. The 22-year-old centre-back continues to grow into a leader and endeavors to “bring order, intensity, and security” to each play, with a growing influence in the attacking phase. Karen Fuentes is a steady metronome who can deploy at several roles in the formation and provides a constant outlet to teammates during the build-up with shrewd decision-making. Always on the go and looking to make a move up the field, her energy provides necessary connections, opens up opportunities, and sees her chasing wingers into the corners.
Rosario Balmaceda plays aggressively and will occasionally line up at striker due to hitting a nice curling shot, charging with a full head of steam, and creating while still in motion. However, her overlapping runs, physicality in the tackle, endless motor, success in the air, knowledge of when to pinch centrally, and ability to dictate the play from deep make her a natural fit for defense. Michelle Olivares has twice been named to the domestic league’s Best XI, having been a part of four consecutive titles and providing agile movement through traffic and smart passing when under pressure. The 23-year-old Colo-Colo fullback will force turnovers, plays a crucial role in the build-up phase, and seeks to push into the final third, often leading the transition and advancing past the forwards. Anaís Cifuentes is yet another front-foot option who will test opposing goalkeepers from long distance with a twisting, curling shot or sneak into the back post in order to finish crosses. She has pace for days and can produce magic with the ball at her feet, picking her moments to break into the advanced zones or even hang back and spring the transition with long-range distribution.
Colo-Colo’s Yastin Jiménez is a reliable stalwart and provides solid two-way play by forcing regular turnovers and a shot of creativity to advance or create with her flicks. The manager praises her as having “a very good physical and tactical level” as well as being “very intelligent in carrying out all of the tasks that [they] assign her in each match.” Yessenia “Paloma” López adds a veteran presence and has been a fairly reliable scorer for Chile while also racking up the individual awards in the domestic league. The 35-year-old midfielder from Viña del Mar has the confidence to trick her way through bunches of opponents and will attempt acrobatic finishes that utilize her agility and athleticism. Universidad Católica’s Ámbar Figueroa was recognized as one of the world’s top young players and has a phenomenal touch on the ball, capable of cutting through the lines or making the final play. She has often been the youngest player on rosters and has the pace to take advantage of defenders’ errors, covering the width of the field before making a darting run into the box. Gisela Pino is out of contract after spending the previous season on loan at Universitario in Peru, with her “tactical acumen making her a coveted asset for any ambitious project.” Her best spot is prowling around from about 35 yards out to the top of the box, forcing turnovers and making herself available to teammates before hitting the final pass.
Vaitiare Pardo is one of the program’s big young stars and continues to grow in confidence, being named the match MVP after scoring in the 2-1 loss to Argentina at the Copa América. The 18-year-old Universidad Católica attacker has an excellent burst of pace that enables her to breeze into the counter and drills the ball with her powerful right foot, pinching inwardly with her maneuvers. With much of her career spent abroad, Yanara Aedo is an experienced veteran presence who displays an occasional source of scoring with well-timed runs into the box and composure on dead balls. The Temucan always seeks to push the tempo and get into an advanced zone, catching defenders off guard with her movement to evade the offside trap and early passes behind the line. Colombia-born Mary Valencia had a massive season in the domestic league for Colo-Colo and was honored as the top scorer and best player with an astonishing 35 finishes across all competitions. She demonstrates the proverbial nose for goal when as a winger or striker and is a master converter of any service, whether timing her runs perfectly or rising above the crowd for a header. Francisca Vargas had a breakthrough domestic season despite opening the calendar with an injury and registered her first professional goal with a blast from outside the box. A “pretty important player” for her club, the teenager is quick to pounce on potential opportunities, works hard to track back, and looks to hit early distribution to teammates at the top of the area.
On paper, the USWNT is starting the year on a lighter note and should exit January with two victories and improved chemistry in the attack. Chile is in the midst of a heated qualifying hunt and could use the additional experience against a top opponent, albeit while bringing a roster missing several key figures. The scoreline should stretch to a three- or four-goal margin, but friendlies have been known to provide surprising results.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27th at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include TBS, HBO Max, Universo, Peacock, and FuboTV (free trial).
