The road to the 2027 World Cup continues with a brand new crop of players called into the January camp. Emma Hayes is giving many new players a chance to show what they can do in a national team setting. There are plenty of opportunities for many young NWSL stars to make their mark. Let’s take a deep dive into the roster.
2026 January Training Camp Roster
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)
Standouts
The first thing that stands out is, of course, the return of Trinity Rodman, who is back in the team for the first time since April 2025. It’s a welcome sight to see her back, and she’s the best player on the roster and will lead the front line during this camp. The other surprise is seeing the number of new players that Emma Hayes has brought in to see what they can bring to the table. This has the feeling of a futures camp based on the young talent. Excluding Rodman, there isn’t a single player on the roster with more than 15 appearances for the USWNT, which might be the lowest number in USWNT history.
Jordan Silkowitz had a solid year for Bay FC, and Emma Hayes has rewarded her with her first call-up. Mandy McGlynn and Claudia Dickey are likely to split the Paraguay and Chile friendlies.
Jordyn Bugg, Avery Patterson, Tara Rudd, and Emily Sams have at least some experience and are likely to make up the backline starters. Gisele Thompson, Izzy Rodriguez, Kate Wiesner, and Kennedy Wesley are also called in to get more experience and possibly see the field. Thompson has the best chance to start among the second group mentioned.
New Faces
The midfielders have a ton of new faces as well. It’s great to see Hal Hershfelt and Lo’eau Labonta get another chance to shine, two long-time NWSL vets who have been as consistent and reliable as ever. Sam Meza, Sally Menti, and Riley Jackson are three strong prospects with a ton of potential. Regardless of whether they see the field or not, it’s a tremendous experience for them to be in and around the USWNT.
Familiar Faces
Lastly, the strikers have the most familiar faces out of any of the position groups on the roster. Yasmeen Ryan, Ally Sentnor, and Emma Sears have all appeared for the national team in the last year, along with Rodman. Jameese Joseph received a cap but is still new to the USWNT program, with Maddie Dahlien and Reilyn Turner yet to make their first appearances.
Considering that the United States has two friendlies against Paraguay and Chile, it makes complete sense that Emma Hayes has given these younger players an opportunity. Of course, the United States is expected to win these games, but it’s not about the results; it’s about how this new combination of players learns how to play together. The two friendlies will take place on the 24th and 27th of January in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, respectively. Be sure to mark your calendars for these games.
Image via @jordyn.bugg
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