Emma Hayes’ first USWNT roster of 2026 is a bold statement about the future, blending Trinity Rodman’s experience with four uncapped players and giving Claudia Dickey another chance to prove she’s the team’s goalkeeper of the future.
The USWNT’s January roster reveals Emma Hayes’ strategic vision for 2026 and beyond. With an average of just 6.6 caps per player and five uncapped players, this camp represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the next generation of American women’s soccer.
Trinity Rodman: The Veteran at 23
At just 23 years old, Trinity Rodman stands as the elder stateswoman of this USWNT squad. Her 47 international appearances dwarf the experience of her teammates, with Yazmeen Ryan’s 15 caps being the second-highest on the roster. Rodman’s journey back to the national team has been fraught with challenges, including a back injury that sidelined her for much of 2025 and an MCL sprain that cut short her October comeback attempt.
Her return to full fitness is crucial for both club and country. As an unattached player following the expiration of her Washington Spirit contract, Rodman’s performances in these January friendlies could significantly impact her market value. For the USWNT, her presence provides much-needed leadership and attacking prowess as Hayes continues to evaluate her options ahead of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup.
A Camp of Opportunity
The January camp’s timing outside the FIFA window has created a unique opportunity for domestic-based players. With European stars like Catarina Macario, Alyssa Thompson, and Naomi Girma unavailable, Hayes has called up four first-time USWNT players: Maddie Dahlien, Reilyn Turner, Riley Jackson, and Sally Menti. All four have extensive youth international experience, making this a natural progression in their development.
The absences extend beyond Europe. Gotham FC’s participation in the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup means key players like Emily Sonnett, Rose Lavelle, and Jaedyn Shaw are also unavailable. This has opened doors for players like Hal Hershfelt, who returns to the national team setup after earning her third cap in 2024, and NWSL-based left backs Izzy Rodriguez and Kate Wiesner.
The Goalkeeper Conundrum
With Alyssa Naeher’s retirement at the end of 2024, the USWNT’s goalkeeper position remains unsettled. Four different keepers started games in 2025, and while Phallon Tullis-Joyce appeared to be the frontrunner during the summer, Claudia Dickey has made a strong case in recent months.
Dickey’s statistics from the 2025 NWSL season were impressive, and she started five of the USWNT’s last six games of the year, keeping clean sheets in four of those matches. With Tullis-Joyce unavailable for this camp, Dickey has another golden opportunity to prove she should be Naeher’s long-term successor.
The Complete January Roster
The 26-player roster features a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers:
- Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 6), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 4), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC; 0)
- Defenders: Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; 5/0), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 9/1), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current; 1/1), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit; 9/0), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 7/0), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 4/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 2/0), Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit; 2/0)
- Midfielders: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit; 5/0), Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit; 3/0), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; 11/1), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; 0/0), Lo’eau LaBonta (Kansas City Current; 4/0), Sally Menti (Seattle Reign FC; 0/0), Sam Meza (Seattle Reign FC; 2/0), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 11/5)
- Forwards: Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC; 0/0), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 1/0), Trinity Rodman (Unattached; 47/11), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash; 15/2), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 12/4), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 13/4), Reilyn Turner (Portland Thorns FC; 0/0)
This roster represents more than just a collection of players for two friendlies. It’s a statement about the future of American women’s soccer. Hayes is clearly looking beyond immediate results, focusing instead on building depth and identifying players who can contribute not just in 2026, but in the 2027 World Cup and beyond.
For fans, this camp offers a glimpse into the next generation of USWNT stars. The performances in these January friendlies could shape the team’s trajectory for years to come, making this one of the most important camps in recent memory.
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