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Introducing a fresh weekly segment from Sports Illustrated that examines the women's soccer weekend through the lens of the U.S. women's national team.
Leading up to the 2027 Women's World Cup, this will serve as your essential resource to track those who caught USWNT coach Emma Hayes' attention, players who boosted their chances for future roster selections, and those who might lose ground due to subpar performances or injuries.
With only eight months remaining before World Cup qualifying begins for next summer's competition in Brazil, the competition for USWNT roster spots is intensifying. Our focus today is on NWSL Matchweek 2. This is presumably the final matchweek before Hayes reveals her USWNT squad for next month's three exhibition matches against Japan on April 11, 14 and 17.
Here's our latest USWNT stock analysis - who's rising and who's falling.
USWNT Stock Up
Emma Sears
The Racing Louisville forward netted the weekend's standout goal and potentially an early candidate for goal of the season. With the match already 1–0 just before the break, Sears collected the ball outside Louisville's penalty area and dribbled nearly the full field length before slotting the ball beyond Sandy MacIver in Washington Spirit's net.
The remarkable, approximately 70-yard solo run concluded with the 25-year-old charging into the penalty area past USWNT defender Tara Rudd (discussed further below) as though she were invisible. While Sears couldn't secure all three points for Racing, as the Spirit mounted a comeback to level at 2–2 in the second period, she also contributed an assist this weekend with a straightforward pass to the center that Kayla Fischer buried to open the scoring in Kentucky.
Sears represents a significant pace threat for Hayes, who has been testing different forward combinations recently. The Louisville attacker is direct and less complex than some alternatives. However, regarding pure power and directness, she might be the premier substitute option.
Emma Sears grabs the loose ball after Kayla Fischer gets a foot on it and she's GONE 🏎💨️@RacingLouFC's lead is doubled! pic.twitter.com/t8JxTfYn4q
Gisele Thompson
Another demonstration of attacking excellence came from Gisele Thompson surging forward from right-back to hammer home Angel City's second goal in a 3–1 away victory over Bay FC. Angel City exploited Bay's high defensive line perfectly with Thompson's calculated attacking run producing spectacular results.
Despite the play developing on the far wing from Thompson, the 20-year-old defender recognizes the opening space and reads the situation brilliantly. She understands she has her marker beaten, and her movement timing will give Hayes tremendous confidence should she be prepared for another pair of USWNT starts.
An intense battle is emerging at right-back, with Emily Fox the obvious frontrunner and Avery Patterson competing directly with Thompson for chances.
Gisele Thompson slots it home ‼️
🎥 @NWSL pic.twitter.com/jTNAoqgwqK
M. A. Vignola
Though she didn't register a goal or assist, M. A. Vignola must rank among this weekend's standout performers. The Thorns left-back was dominant as her squad blanked the Seattle Reign in a 2–0 Cascadia Derby triumph at Providence Park.
What made the defensive display even more remarkable was Portland playing from the ninth minute with ten players and from the 57th minute with nine players. Competing two players down presents enormous challenges, but Vignola rose to the occasion with assured tackles and structured communication across the defensive line.
Completing the full 90 minutes, Vignola ended the contest winning 5 of 6 defensive battles, recording two tackles, two interceptions and four recoveries. Virtually nothing penetrated down her left flank. Vignola hasn't appeared for the USWNT since 2023, but should remain in contention given the fullback depth chart.
USWNT Stock Down
Michelle Cooper
The positive: Michelle Cooper is back in the starting lineup after concluding 2025 with a foot injury. The negative: The 23-year-old Kansas City Current winger is clearly only match-fit for approximately 45 minutes. Cooper has now experienced consecutive weeks starting the 2026 campaign where she began the match only to be substituted at halftime.
Cooper managed one wayward shot (0.14 xG), four penalty area touches and created zero scoring opportunities. When she departed, the Current trailed 1–0. The match concluded with Chicago Stars claiming a 2–1 victory. Cooper's substitute, Haley Hopkins, demonstrated the type of diagonal box run required in Kansas City's attack.
This upcoming USWNT window appears premature for Cooper, who hasn't yet returned to her peak 2025 form.
Tara Rudd
With Naomi Girma and Emily Sonnett established as the primary center-back pairing for the USWNT, the question becomes: who leads the line as their deputies?
Currently, one potential answer is Spirit's Rudd. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old defender has endured a difficult start to 2026. In Kentucky, Sears's pace left her exposed during Matchweek 2. Rudd's role in organizing Spirit's defense is also questionable.
It's still early in 2026 for both Rudd and the Spirit, but this represents a crucial period for a player Hayes has increasingly relied upon.
Jameese Joseph
A standout performer in recent USWNT camps, Jameese Joseph didn't earn a starting role in Chicago Stars' 2–1 victory over KC Current. Instead, she entered for the final 29 minutes with the score already 2–1.
With Chicago securing their lead for a comfortable win, Joseph contributed nothing offensively. She recorded no attempts, generated zero chances and primarily touched the ball in wide areas. Though she made just one defensive play, the 23-year-old forward crucially avoided turnovers in dangerous positions.
Joseph offers versatility in attack, and Hayes appreciates using her centrally to force turnovers and challenge opposing defensive lines. Unfortunately, Chicago's playing style hasn't provided the ideal platform for her to shine. She was largely invisible in the Stars' opening day 4–0 loss to Angel City and has followed with another subdued performance.
More NWSL from Sports Illustrated
Theo Lloyd-Hughes is a writer for Sports Illustrated Soccer based in the Southern United States. Originally from England, he can often be found in a press box across the NWSL or at international matches featuring the USWNT and other Concacaf nations.