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Welcome back to your weekly column from Sports Illustrated that breaks down the women's soccer weekend through a U.S. women's national team lens.
The 2026 National Women's Soccer League regular season has officially wrapped up. After 240 games, Gotham FC claimed the top spot in the standings and were crowned Shield champions for the very first time in club history.
But here on 'Stock Up, Stock Down,' we zero in on the battle within the battle — the competition among U.S. players fighting for a place on Emma Hayes's roster ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in November and beyond.
After 30 matchdays of recapping weekend action, now seems like the ideal moment to step back and assess which USWNT hopefuls made the loudest statements throughout the season — and which ones have slipped out of favor over the past nine months. Here's a look at how players' stock shifted over the course of 2026.
Stock Up
Kennedy Wesley
Quietly one of the most reliable performers of 2026, the San Diego Wave centerback is the definition of composure at the back and has smoothly transitioned from dependable NWSL starter to top-tier defender.
Wesley played every single minute of the Wave's season, contributing to a second-place finish just three points behind regular season champions Gotham. The Wave ranked third in the league defensively, conceding 31 goals. The 25-year-old also set a personal best for goals, netting twice.
With a pass completion rate of nearly 89% and 58 passes per game, much of what makes Wesley exceptional is her ability to control the tempo from deep and stay composed on the ball — qualities that will keep Hayes selecting her. Since her debut in October 2025, she has earned nine caps and scored once for the USWNT. With Emily Sonnett sidelined by an ACL injury, Wesley's path to more playing time has never looked clearer.
Ashley Sanchez
The 2026 Golden Boot winner has arguably been the biggest individual story of the season. Ashley Sanchez's USWNT career appeared to be behind her before a historic 2026, in which she became the first American to score 20 goals in a single season, matching Malawian Temwa Chawinga's league record.
Unfortunately, Sanchez and the NC Courage fell short of the playoffs, finishing ninth and four points outside the cutoff. That collective underperformance may hurt her MVP case. However, her national team future looks secure. The forward scored in the 2-2 draw against Spain and looked right at home when Hayes recalled her to the squad for the first time in two years in October.
Croix Bethune
After a couple of injury-plagued years, Croix Bethune put together the most complete and durable season of her career, making 26 appearances (1,992 minutes) with the KC Current, contributing four goals and a record-breaking 11 assists. Her knack for creating chances in rapid transitional moments — unlocking the likes of Temwa Chawinga and Michelle Cooper — has been one of the highlights of 2026.
While her standout club form hasn't yet translated into significant USWNT minutes — just 107 this calendar year — Bethune did score her first international goal against Chile back in January. With the Current finishing a solid fourth, the 25-year-old has firmly established herself as one of the NWSL's top midfield playmakers.
Trinity Byars
While the other breakout American players could have been considered USWNT fringe candidates a year ago, Trinity Byars has been the true revelation of 2026. In her first full NWSL season — having missed most of 2025 recovering from an ACL injury — the second-year striker from the University of Texas has burst onto the scene with 11 goals from just 15 starts (23 appearances, 1,339 minutes). She has the makings of one of the league's most lethal finishers next season.
Byars has been outstanding in one-on-one situations, combining sharp shot selection with calm under pressure. She received her first USWNT call-up in October for the Spain friendlies and, while she didn't feature on the pitch, Hayes has spoken glowingly about Byars's long-term role with the national team.
Stock Down
Mandy McGlynn
Despite helping the Utah Royals reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn saw her individual numbers slip somewhat in 2026. Her goals prevented figure dropped from 2.6 to 0.8, and her save percentage also declined, falling from 68% to 64%.
McGlynn's hold on the third-choice goalkeeper role with the USWNT appears uncertain. She offers more with the ball at her feet than some rivals, but the rise of Jordan Silkowitz — who has been the superior shot-stopper this season — has left McGlynn on the outside looking in as the national team heads into 2027.
Jameese Joseph
Another Utah Royal — though one who only recently relocated to Salt Lake City in September after a difficult year with bottom-placed Chicago Stars. Forward Jameese Joseph managed just one goal in 19 appearances for Chicago, then went seven games without scoring after joining Utah.
At 24, Joseph is still a developing striker and has earned praise for her work ethic and dedication. She presses relentlessly, makes intelligent runs in behind, and poses a threat in the high press. Both at club and international level, there's an ongoing debate about whether her best role is through the middle or out wide. Regardless, rediscovering her confidence and sharpness in front of goal is her clearest route back to the USWNT.
Joseph made her USWNT debut late in 2025, scored and impressed for her country through the early part of 2026 and the SheBelieves Cup, before losing her squad place over the summer.
Avery Patterson
Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson has yet to lose her place in the USWNT setup. She actually started the first of the two recent friendlies against Spain and has made six appearances throughout 2026. While the Dash continue to struggle in the NWSL — finishing 10th in 2025 and 12th in 2026 — Patterson remains a standout performer for the underperforming Texas side.
Part of what makes Patterson so attractive to coaches is her ability to play comfortably with both feet. Hayes has been eager to keep her involved as a key rotation option on either defensive flank. While Patterson's form has dipped only marginally from her 2025 peak, it is the growing competition from players like Gisele Thompson that could ultimately determine her standing in the depth chart.