On Thursday, a 26 player roster for the USWNT was announced that included many new, young players, and a few notable omissions.
The team will play friendly matches against Paraguay on January 24 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California and Chile on January 27 at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California.
With just a year and a half left until the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the team is now laser focused on preparing for and qualifying for the tournament.
In a press conference, head coach
Emma Hayes gave insight into where the team stands in preparation for the World Cup, how she manages the USWNT player pool, and what impact the proposed NWSL HIP rule would have on the USWNT.
“We’re talking about going to the World Cup, that’s what all of our thoughts are on… locking in, honing in on ensuring that our game is equipped to be able to qualify for the World Cup,” said Hayes.
With notable veterans missing, new and young players get the chance to lead
The 26-player roster contains a lot of new names, and some significant omissions. Because the camp does not fall into an approved FIFA window, European club players in the middle of their season like Catarina Macario, Naomi Girma, and Lindsey Heaps were not called up for this January camp.
Gotham FC players like Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Lilly Reale, and Jaedyn Shaw were also absent from the roster. The NWSL and CONCACAF champions are already in preseason training in Spain to prepare for the FIFA Champions Cup, where they will play Corinthians and possibly Arsenal in London at the end of the month.
Sam Coffey was also notably absent—the star defensive midfielder is reportedly in the middle of a transfer to WSL leader Manchester City. ESPN reported the deal is currently being finalized with at least an $800,000 transfer fee, according to sources.
Instead, plenty of new and young players will have the chance to play; the average number of caps on the roster is just 6.6. Four players received their first call-up: Riley Jackson, Sally Menti, Maddie Dahlien, and Reilyn Turner.
Hayes said that with so many senior leaders absent, she has not yet decided who will be called on to lead, but that this camp will be a great opportunity to develop future leaders, including 19-year-old Claire Hutton.
“Can you imagine the leadership responsibilities that someone like Claire Hutton is going to get from a camp like this?” said Hayes. “Because she’s going to be considered one of the more experienced midfielders, at least in our group right now, even at her tender age. Same with Trinity Rodman.”
Trinity Rodman listed as “Unattached” on roster
USWNT star forward and “Triple Espresso” member Trinity Rodman had a new indicator next to her name—unattached. What does it mean? Rodman is currently out of contract with the Washington Spirit, pending an NWSLPA lawsuit after the NWSL blocked a proposed four-year contract from the Spirit that would have her return for an average of over a million dollars a year.
“I’m accustomed to many of our players either coming to the end of their contracts, or they might move during contract; these things are always ongoing,” said Hayes. “So it’s not an unusual place for me to be in.”
But she also acknowledged how she aims to support Rodman.
“When it comes to Trin, sometimes I think it’s just a maternal instinct in me to be quite protective, because I think she’s an important player for club, for country,” said Hayes. “Having managed similar profile players like Trin, I recognize that they might have to get some additional support, particularly with the expectations and the pressures that come with it.”
How NWSL’s proposed HIP rule will impact the USWNT: “Nothing will change with me”
When asked how the proposed NWSL High Impact Player rule would impact her decisions, Hayes said it wouldn’t be a factor.
The HIP rule would allow increased salary cap to be allocated to players who meet certain criteria, one of which is USWNT minutes. The rule was made with the immediate goal of keeping Rodman in the NWSL, although would have much larger ramifications.
“Nothing will change with me and the way that I’m doing things, regardless of any ruling that’s put in place…” said Hayes. “It’s probably going to be a little bit longer until they resolve what that criteria is, whether it ends up being that or something else, you’d have to ask them. But from my perspective, nothing changes with regards to how I will operate.”
Building towards the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Hayes said although she can only select the players that are available, and many were unavailable in the January window, she plans to whittle down the squad going forward and pick the strongest possible roster in the build up to the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The team will play in the SheBelieves Cup in March, then participate in a CONCACAF tournament in November and December to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
“Going into SheBelieves that will be whittled down—without question, I will pick the strongest possible rosters going from February onwards,” said Hayes.
Hayes said that going forward, she will focus only on players who are in contention to make the roster for the CONCACAF Championship in the fall.
In the meantime, the January camp will give her a last chance to look at newer players before the tournament.
“This really is the last window in preparation for ‘27 where we will see the opportunities for so many new players,” said Hayes. “I’m not saying there won’t be somebody that is in our pool of players that might push through for ‘27, but I feel pretty clear about the pool of players for that.”
How Hayes manages the USWNT player pools
Hayes gave rare insight into her management tactics, and everything that managing a national team entails off the field. Using scouting, monitoring, and analytics, she and the USWNT staff track players and potential players in distinct groups.
- USWNT core – Players consistently on USWNT rosters
- USWNT pool – Players consistently in the conversation for selection, who have had at least three call-ups and one cap
- USWNT prospects – Players who are being monitored and considered
- USWNT high potential – A young player being monitored but is not yet ready
- U-23 pool player – Players in consideration for selection for the U-23 squad
- Game plan specific players – Older players with experience who are not regular players
With the World Cup rapidly approaching, the two January matches will be a great opportunity to see some of the US’s most talented young players take on Paraguay and Chile.
