Trinity Rodman Spearheads USWNT's Bold New Era with All-NWSL Youth Movement

Fresh year, fresh squad. The inaugural U.S. women's national team selection of 2026 has arrived, bringing several unexpected choices and intriguing developments.

This Thursday, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes announced a 26-player squad for the January training session, scheduled at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The camp will feature two exhibition matches. The opening fixture against Paraguay takes place on Jan. 24 at Dignity Health Sports Park, followed by a meeting with Chile on Jan. 27 at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara.

"This squad once again creates opportunities for our coaching team to assess talent and for several NWSL athletes we haven't observed extensively in the national team setting, including some newcomers, to demonstrate their potential contributions in 2026, 2027 and future years," Hayes explained.

"We're excited to have additional training sessions compared to typical camps, plus two matches to observe this segment of our player pool in competitive situations and potentially expand our depth and alternatives for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup squad."

The USWNT concluded 2025 with a 12-3-0 record. Hayes maintains a 25-3-2 record since assuming the managerial role in May 2024.

USWNT squad: January exhibitions

Position (Club; Caps/Goals)

GOALKEEPERS (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 6), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 4), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC; 0)

DEFENDERS (8): 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 (8): 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 (7): 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)

Unattached Rodman returns in leadership role

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) offseason has been largely defined by the contractual situation involving Trinity Rodman, the Washington Spirit and the league itself. Following the initial rejection of a contract offer for the 23-year-old due to salary cap limitations, the NWSL established a new regulation called the High Impact Player rule, allocating an extra $1 million for star players beyond the salary cap constraints.

Rodman has yet to finalize a new agreement, though NWSL Players Association executive director Meghann Burke, speaking recently on The Athletic's Full Time podcast, expressed optimism that the league, player and Spirit would reach an agreement shortly.

Health issues affected Rodman throughout 2025. A back problem sidelined her from April through August. Subsequently, in October, a knee injury forced her withdrawal from the final two USWNT squads of the previous year. Rodman appeared just once for the USWNT in 2025, during a 2–0 victory over Brazil, where she netted the first goal.

Given the experimental character of this January selection, Rodman possesses the highest number of caps (43) and goals (11) among the players. The remaining 22 outfield players collectively have scored 17 goals for the USWNT.

Absence of European-based and Gotham athletes

Since this January training session occurs outside an official FIFA competition period, Hayes has assembled a squad consisting entirely of domestic NWSL athletes, with the exception of Rodman, who remains unattached. The NWSL regular season won't commence until March.

European league players have been unable to join their clubs due to ongoing competitions and commitments. Consequently, the USWNT will be missing several key players, including captain Lindsey Heaps, who competes for OL Lyonnes in France, along with the trio of Naomi Girma, Catarina Macario and Alyssa Thompson, all representing Chelsea in England.

Additionally, NJ/NY Gotham FC will participate in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champion Cup from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 and cannot release players for this selection. This excludes players like Rose Lavelle, Jaedyn Shaw, Emily Sonnett, Jaelin Howell and Lilly Reale.

Chances for emerging talent

Due to these scheduling conflicts, Hayes has opted to include several young, less experienced athletes. Four players receive their first call-ups in this January selection: Maddie Dahlien, Reilyn Turner, Riley Jackson and Sally Menti. Including goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz, who will attend her second camp, there are five uncapped players.

This USWNT squad averages 24.1 years of age, with an average of 6.6 caps per player. These remarkably low figures for the USWNT create both a distinctive challenge and opportunity for this group.

Hayes has awarded 27 debuts since becoming USWNT manager, and this January period fulfills her commitment to expand the talent pool and bridge the gap between youth and senior teams.

Eight players from this squad were initially invited to Hayes's identification camp in Florida during January 2025, dubbed the "Futures" camp. Those athletes included: Jordyn Bugg, Gisele Thompson, Hutton, Riley Jackson, Maddie Dahlien, Joseph, Avery Patterson and Reilyn Turner.

Lo'eau LaBonta, the experienced player

Naturally, it's not exclusively young players seeking to make their mark. Kansas City Current mainstay LaBonta, at 32, stands as the sole player over 30 on the roster and won't waste the opportunity to enhance her prospects for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.

LaBonta created history in 2025 by becoming the oldest player to make her USWNT debut in a 3–0 triumph over China. Despite her limited international experience (4 appearances), she brings considerable professionalism both on and off the field.

The midfielder is also coming off an exceptional season, leading the Current to the summit of NWSL standings, capturing a Shield trophy and establishing new league records for points (65), victories (21) and fewest goals allowed (13). The veteran still has potential to establish herself with the USWNT, and January could provide the platform to shine.

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