USWNT Stars Shine Bright: Who Secured Their Spot for 2026 at SheBelieves Cup?

The United States women's national soccer team successfully navigated their initial major challenge of 2026, claiming the SheBelieves Cup title with a flawless record of three victories while maintaining a clean sheet throughout the tournament.

Head coach Emma Hayes delivered on her promise to assemble the strongest available squad. Key players including Sophia Wilson (maternity leave), Mal Swanson (maternity leave), Cat Macario (hip), Tierna Davidson (knee) and Michelle Cooper (foot) were unavailable, yet the U.S. secured victories against Argentina 2–0, Canada 1–0, and Colombia 1–0. The experimental phase has concluded, and the focus now shifts to building a core roster for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The USWNT's next challenge comes in April against Japan, a formidable adversary they'll face three times in a series of friendlies that will further test Hayes's squad depth. Before looking ahead, let's examine which players made their mark and what uncertainties persist following the 2026 SheBelieves Cup.

Who stepped up for the USWNT?

Who excelled for the USWNT?

Alyssa Thompson

Alyssa Thompson

Chelsea winger Alyssa Thompson emerged as the USWNT's most impressive performer during the SheBelieves Cup. The 21-year-old delivered the tournament's highlight moment, thundering home the decisive goal against Colombia off the crossbar from outside the penalty area.

Despite Chelsea's challenging campaign, Thompson has been a bright spot with six goals across 14 league appearances. Her bold decision to leave Los Angeles for London and the English Women's Super League last September has proven beneficial.

Thompson has developed a tenacious edge to her play lately. Beyond being just a pacey winger with pinpoint accuracy, she now excels at pressing and covering defensive areas more effectively than her peers. Hayes will be delighted with Thompson's commitment and technical ability. Thompson appeared in all three SheBelieves Cup fixtures, earning starts in the final two matches against Canada and Colombia.

Competition for forward positions in the USWNT is fierce, but Thompson appears positioned to secure not just a roster spot but potentially a starting role under Hayes.

Alyssa Thompson off the underside of the crossbar to give the USA a late lead 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/7E8vWyAPnc

Gisele Thompson

Gisele Thompson

Joining her sister at the forefront is Gisele Thompson. The 20-year-old enjoyed her most successful USWNT campaign yet, seizing her opportunity on the right flank of the defensive line. Gisele Thompson was the sole USWNT player to start and complete 90 minutes in the opening two SheBelieves Cup matches against Argentina and Canada before being rested for the Colombia encounter.

The fullback has alternated between the U23 squad and senior team but demonstrated this week her readiness for the big stage. She advanced effectively to provide crucial width when the USWNT sought to stretch the field against Argentina, then delivered solid defensive work against Canada, winning all eight defensive challenges.

Emily Fox holds the only secured fullback position for the USWNT. This leaves one available spot for Angel City's Lilly Reale, Avery Patterson, and other candidates to compete for. Gisele Thompson operated mainly as a right back, with Hayes moving Fox to the left, though future experiments might see her on the opposite side. Regardless, this positional competition will be intense.

Ally Sentnor

Ally Sentnor

Another young talent who capitalized on her opportunity after U23 experience in late 2025 is Ally Sentnor. The versatile forward was somewhat unexpectedly chosen to start at striker for the final two SheBelieves Cup matches (against Canada and Colombia), also entering as a second-half substitute versus Argentina.

Ally Sentnor breaks the deadlock against Canada 🔓 pic.twitter.com/LbtZB1KfsC

Sentnor netted the match-winner in the 1–0 victory over Canada, displaying nimble footwork to convert a corner from Gotham FC's Rose Lavelle with a half-volley. Sentnor has always possessed technical skill, but her decision-making, particularly in scoring positions, has occasionally been problematic. Witnessing this type of natural striker's finish will greatly satisfy Hayes.

The Colombia match presented different challenges. Sentnor failed to register a shot attempt as the USWNT struggled for fluency despite dominating possession in a fragmented first half. However, the team's attacking difficulties weren't solely her responsibility, and with uncertainty around the striker position, this represented progress for Sentnor.

What questions remain for the USWNT?

What uncertainties persist for the USWNT?

Lindsey Heaps

Lindsey Heaps

Though the USWNT captain hoisted the SheBelieves Cup on Saturday evening, there's a sense she may have lost her place in Hayes's preferred starting eleven. Lindsey Heaps began the week brilliantly, scoring and providing an assist in the 2–0 triumph over Argentina. However, in the subsequent two games, she accumulated just 40 minutes across two substitute appearances.

Hayes appears to have revealed her preferred midfield combination against stronger opposition. That formation excludes Heaps. Against Canada, Claire Hutton, Sam Coffey and Lavelle formed the trio. Versus Colombia, Hayes replaced Hutton with Lily Yohannes.

Heaps remains a significant physical presence for the USWNT with set-piece expertise. However, regarding passing range, press-resistance, ball mastery and positional intelligence, she seems to trail these other midfielders in the hierarchy. Nevertheless, against weaker teams with ample time and space, Heaps could still start. Her spectacular strike against Argentina demonstrated that capability.

WHAT A FINISH 😮‍💨

Lindsey Heaps curls it in to score the USWNT's first goal of SheBelieves Cup 2026 🇺🇸

🎥 @USWNT pic.twitter.com/XeKEWgFEv1

Emily Sams

Emily Sams

Emily Sams experienced an unusual sequence of events, having been among the most impressive performers in the USWNT's January training camp and completing 90 minutes while captaining the side against Chile. Sams wasn't initially selected for the SheBelieves Cup but joined as an emergency replacement following Jordyn Bugg's injury.

Hayes subsequently gave Sams no playing time during the SheBelieves Cup, with the Angel City defender observing from the bench throughout all three matches. This situation certainly won't help her cause, though perhaps how players handle bench duty serves as its own evaluation for roster selection.

Currently, the preferred backup options at center back, behind Naomi Girma and Emily Sonnett, seem to be Tara Rudd, Kennedy Wesley, and possibly Bugg.

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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.