Overview
- Playing in Carson, Calif., the U.S. opened 2026 with a 6-0 win over Paraguay as a youthful starting XI logged the program’s lowest average caps in 25 years.
- Reilyn Turner scored on her senior debut, Ally Sentnor netted a brace, Emma Sears added a sixth, and first caps went to Sally Menti and Maddie Dahlien.
- Trinity Rodman, returning from injury and newly re-signed with the Washington Spirit on a record NWSL deal, wore the armband as the team’s youngest captain since 2000 and scored in the second half.
- With the camp outside a FIFA window, Hayes called a 26-player roster drawn entirely from the NWSL, while several Europe-based regulars and Gotham FC players were unavailable due to club commitments including the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
- U.S. Soccer confirmed a three-match April series against Japan (April 11 San Jose, April 14 Seattle, April 17 Commerce City) as the team looks beyond Tuesday’s Chile friendly and March’s SheBelieves Cup toward the 2026 Concacaf W Championship, the region’s qualifying route for the 2027 World Cup.