Catarina Macario is set to make her return to the U.S. women’s national soccer team for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup, marking her first appearance since June of the previous year. Currently playing for Chelsea, Macario’s last match for the national team was during a friendly against South Korea. Though she was selected for last year’s Olympic squad, a knee injury prevented her from contributing to the team’s gold medal victory in Paris.
U.S. coach Emma Hayes recently announced a roster of 23 players for the 10th iteration of the tournament. The SheBelieves Cup will see participation from Japan, Colombia, and Australia, with matches scheduled to take place in Houston, San Diego, and Glendale, Arizona, between February 20 and 26. Each team will compete in three games across the different cities, with the overall champion determined by the points accrued in these matches.
The American roster boasts 12 players who were part of the Olympic team that secured gold in Paris. Notably absent are Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson, a talented trio known as “Triple Espresso” in France. Rodman is currently on the mend from a back injury, while Smith, who now carries her married name Sophia Wilson, is still working on her fitness. Swanson, on the other hand, has personal commitments that will keep her from participating.
Hayes expressed her disappointment at their absence but also highlighted the chance for other players to step up. “Of course, I would love those players to be with us, but they are not. So what an opportunity it is for everyone else to develop as a result of that,” she stated, underlining her preference for early learning instead of last-minute adjustments ahead of a major tournament.
Midfielder Rose Lavelle was left off the roster as she continues her recovery from ankle surgery performed in the offseason. Similarly, defender Naomi Girma, who recently joined Chelsea from the San Diego Wave for a record transfer fee of $1.1 million, was not called up due to a calf injury.
However, sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson, who play for Angel City in the National Women’s Soccer League, have both made the squad. Alyssa participated in the senior team’s January camp, and Gisele took part in a concurrent Futures Camp. Their inclusion makes them the third set of sisters to be selected for the national team simultaneously.
The roster includes four players who are yet to make their debut with the national team, and ten players with four or fewer appearances. Additionally, three other players—Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Angel City defender Savy King, and Bay FC midfielder Hannah Bebar—will train with the team but won’t be part of the active roster.
This year, Hayes aims to focus on player development in preparation for the Women’s World Cup qualifiers in 2026 and the subsequent tournament scheduled in Brazil the following year. To foster growth, the senior team will hold training camps alongside the under-23 team. “Starting from April, we’re going to consistently develop 50-plus players every international break. For me, that’s an opportunity, and one that we must maximize,” Hayes remarked.
Two players will also be playing under their new married names: Lynn Biyendolo, previously known as Williams, and Lindsey Heaps, formerly Horan. Emily Sonnett will achieve a milestone of 100 appearances with the national team, and she will be honored in a ceremony prior to the match against Colombia in Houston on February 20. She will become the 45th player in national team history to reach this significant milestone.
The roster for the U.S. team is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)
Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City)
Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Heaps (Lyon), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Jaedyn Shaw (North Carolina Courage), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)
Forwards: Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City)
