USWNT Stars Shine Bright: Who Seized Their Moment Against Paraguay and Chile?

The United States women's national soccer team has begun their journey toward 2026. In what can be considered the last experimental lineup before things become more serious for head coach Emma Hayes and her squad, the Americans dominated Paraguay 6-0 and then defeated Chile 5-0 in two January exhibition matches held in California.

Hayes selected the two most inexperienced USWNT starting lineups in a quarter-century—averaging 9.6 international appearances per player versus Paraguay, and 5.2 against Chile. Despite the relative inexperience, the heavily rotated and youthful American team proved too strong for their South American opponents.

Five athletes earned their first USWNT appearances during this period. Reilyn Turner, Sally Menti and Maddie Dahlien all received their inaugural caps on Saturday versus Paraguay, while Ayo Oke and Riley Jackson achieved the same milestone against Chile on Tuesday. Hayes has now awarded 32 players their debut cap since taking over as USWNT head coach in May 2024.

With focus shifting to the SheBelieves Cup in March and then, more crucially, World Cup qualification in November, let's examine who strengthened their position and what uncertainties persist following these recent exhibition games.

Hit the celly 💃 pic.twitter.com/yIjnynbaD8

Who made their case for the USWNT?

Who strengthened their position with the USWNT?

Croix Bethune

Croix Bethune

It has been an extended wait for Croix Bethune to make an impression with the USWNT. The 2024 National Women's Soccer League Rookie and Midfielder of the Year has been inconsistently available over the past 18 months due to injury setbacks. Prior to this camp, she hadn't been able to display the same form we witness when she plays for the Washington Spirit.

However, everything shifted in January. Bethune entered as a substitute against Paraguay to create an own goal and then record her inaugural USWNT assist, stealing possession from a Paraguay defender and setting up Emma Sears.

The playmaking midfielder elevated her performance against Chile and netted her first USWNT goal. She demonstrated excellent composure, collecting a pass from Oke, then calmly finishing into the net from 11 yards away.

"I believe it's been the strongest camp I've witnessed from Croix, regarding her mindset and dedication," Hayes informed the media Tuesday. "I sense that Croix is prepared to elevate her performance to another level."

Croix Bethune scores her first USWNT goal ✨ pic.twitter.com/Ul0i7WcOau

Emily Sams

Emily Sams

Emily Sams, similar to Bethune, served as a reserve at the 2024 Olympics, where the USWNT claimed gold. That breakthrough season, during which Sams earned NWSL's Defender of the Year honors, has resulted in limited chances to shine under Hayes. Sams had accumulated only seven caps during the previous 18 months with the USWNT.

In a significant opportunity, Sams not only played 117 minutes across both matches, but completed the full 90 minutes against Chile while wearing the captain's armband. She justified Hayes's confidence with an outstanding performance at both ends of the field. A shutout was enhanced by her first assist and goal for the USWNT.

"Sams undoubtedly leads through her actions. A blend of her conduct. Not merely through competitiveness, but in how she presents herself. She's a very considerate and supportive teammate," stated Hayes. "She hasn't earned many caps with us, but she's consistently prepared. She prioritizes the team... she approaches this as a quiet leader in the program."

Sams entered this camp following a major $650,000 transfer from Orlando Pride to Angel City. Not only is the 26-year-old signaling to the NWSL that she expects to be among the league's top center backs, it's evident that she's also raising her USWNT profile.

Emma Sears

Emma Sears

With numerous elite attacking players absent from this roster, and two of the USWNT's premier forwards, Mal Swanson and Sophia Wilson, having missed all of 2025 due to maternity leave, the competition for forward positions is particularly intense.

Recognition must go to Sears, who made an impact as a substitute against Paraguay, netting the sixth and final goal, then excelled against Chile with an assist and goal in each half. She concluded the camp with the highest goal contributions (three) of any player. In a pleasant moment of reciprocity, Sears assisted Sams, then Sams returned the favor against Chile.

All three goal contributions highlighted Sears's primary asset, her pace. As a pure speed threat in wide positions, the 24-year-old is emerging as a potential game-changing substitute for World Cup qualifying. Hayes will also appreciate the precision of her finish against Chile. From an extremely narrow angle, Sears managed to place the ball inside the post and into the upper corner.

Lightning quick from Emma Sears ⚡️

USWNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/fK5g6oHO8P

What questions remain?

What uncertainties persist?

Yazmeen Ryan

Yazmeen Ryan

The USWNT's attacking options are highly competitive. Yazmeen Ryan has found consistent playing time difficult to secure and, after remaining unused against Paraguay, she received only 64 minutes as a starter against Chile.

The versatile wide attacker, capable of playing centrally, did contribute to a goal. Against Chile, Ryan skillfully gathered the ball on the right flank, turned and delivered a clever pass into the penalty area for Jameese Joseph's maiden USWNT goal, extending the lead to 2–0.

Nevertheless, that represented the sole scoring opportunity Ryan generated. She took two attempts at goal, one requiring a save while the other missed the target. She potentially needed to accomplish more to capture the attention of USWNT coaching staff.

What distinguishes the Houston Dash attacker is her capacity to enhance her teammates' play. She offers great flexibility, intelligent spatial awareness and possesses a sophisticated passing repertoire. However, with limited roster spots available, can she match the explosive impact of her competitors?

Jameese Joseph gets her first international goal in her first USWNT start 💫 pic.twitter.com/YOpRPzMIz3

Hal Hershfelt

Hal Hershfelt

Another athlete who, nearly 18 months following her debut, has received limited call-ups or playing opportunities. Hershfelt arrived at this camp with only three caps, but now has five after featuring in both January fixtures. She substituted in for the final 27 minutes against Paraguay and played the complete 90 against Chile.

Recognized as an energetic defensive midfielder, or potentially a complete box-to-box player, Hayes chose to experiment with Hershfelt in the heart of the USWNT's defense. This positioning isn't completely foreign to the 24-year-old, who was deployed there during her collegiate career at Clemson.

Given the opposition quality, Hershfelt was able to advance frequently, and her involvement against Paraguay and Chile resembled that of a defensive midfielder more than a center back. Hershfelt brings physicality. Her positioning and pressing were effective. Regarding distribution, she handled the ball extensively and completed 86 of 96 (93%) passes against Chile, indicating she attempted some longer and more challenging passes than others.

This represented a productive camp for Hershfelt, playing 117 minutes in a defensive capacity without allowing a goal, which speaks volumes. However, questions remain about her roster role and where Hayes envisions her fitting. Perhaps, similar to Emily Sonnett previously, the key to securing her position will be demonstrating versatility across multiple positions.

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Theo Lloyd-Hughes writes about soccer for Sports Illustrated and is based in the Southern United States. Originally from England, he frequently covers NWSL matches and international games involving the USWNT and other Concacaf teams.