Photo Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The U.S. women’s national team has announced the 26-player roster for the April international window, during which it will face Japan three times. The roster marks the return of two notable members of the gold-medal-winning squad from the Paris Olympics, who also boast World Cup experience: Sophia Wilson (née Smith) and Tierna Davidson.
Wilson, a goalscoring menace and member of the ‘Triple Espresso’ front line, makes her first roster in 15 months following her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter in September. This will also be the first time Wilson plays for the U.S. under her married name. The 25-year-old has appeared for the Portland Thorns in each of their National Women’s Soccer League matches so far this season. If Wilson plays, she’ll be the 18th mother to play for the USWNT, and if she scores, she’ll be the ninth player to score for the U.S. as a mom.
Davidson returns from the ACL injury she suffered at the beginning of the 2025 NWSL season, which left her absent from the U.S. squad for 13 months. The 27-year-old versatile defender made her first appearance for Gotham FC since the injury in NWSL Match Week 2.
“As our team continues to evolve, it will be great to welcome back Sophia and Tierna, who are not only great players but also contribute positively to our team environment,” head coach Emma Hayes said in the roster release.
Hayes is also bringing back one of her more experienced goalkeepers in the Houston Dash’s Jane Campbell. The goalkeeper has 10 caps but has not made an international appearance since Feb. 26, 2025, which was a U.S. loss to Japan in the most recent meeting between the teams. Michelle Cooper, the 23-year-old forward, also returns, making her first roster in 2026 after recovering from injuries.
The roster features 19 NWSL players and seven who are currently playing for clubs in Europe.
This is just the second time in Hayes’ tenure that her senior national team roster has zero uncapped players on it, the first time being her last roster taken to the SheBelieves Cup. Multiple stats reflect how Hayes’ roster is getting more experienced as her core squad becomes clear, including the average caps per player heading into the first match against Japan being 37.4, quite a bit higher than recent rosters.
The first of the three matches will take place in San Jose, Calif., on April 11. That match will be followed by a game in Seattle, Wash., on April 14, and the series will finish off with a third match on April 17, in Commerce City, Colo. Two players will have the chance to play in their home NWSL stadiums: Bay FC midfielder Claire Hutton in San Jose at PayPal Park and Reign goalkeeper Claudia Dickey in Seattle at Lumen Field.
The last time the U.S. faced Japan was in February 2025. In that match, Japan defeated the Americans 2-1 to win the SheBelieves Cup.
Japan won the 2026 Asian Cup on March 21 by defeating Australia 1-0 in the final. That tournament served as the Asian Football Confederation’s qualifications for the 2027 World Cup; Japan successfully qualified, alongside Australia, China, North Korea, the Philippines and South Korea.
“Japan is undoubtedly one of the top teams in the world, and they are performing at a very high level coming off their Asian Cup title, which was impressive to watch,” Hayes said. “Playing the same country three times in a row, and especially a team that is as dedicated to their style as Japan, will be a massive test for our team and I’m looking forward to seeing how our team handles the numerous challenges these games will present.”
Earlier in March, the U.S. won the 2026 edition of the SheBelieves Cup.
FULL ROSTER (Club; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash; 10), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 8), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 6)
DEFENDERS (9): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 67/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 74/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 52/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 10/1), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 7/0), Emily Sams (Angel City FC; 9/1), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 115/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 7/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 4/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City, ENG; 44/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 173/39), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 15/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 118/27), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 15/5), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 34/10), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 16/1)
FORWARDS (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 10/1), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 4/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 52/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 17/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 18/7), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 29/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 58/24)
