USWNT announce 26-player roster for April friendlies against Japan

The April FIFA international window is fast approaching and Emma Hayes has released the 26-player roster for the United States Women’s National Team for their three upcoming friendlies against Japan, the reigning 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions.

Highlighting the roster is the return of 25-year-old forward Sophia Wilson after 17 months away from the USWNT and the birth of her daughter. Wilson was part of the “Triple Espresso,” triumvirate that led the Americans to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The National Women’s Soccer League has the most players in the roster with 19 players, and Gotham FC leads as the club with the most USWNT players (5.) 

Gotham’s players have been regulars in the USWNT pool and include the return of center back Tierna Davidson from an ACL injury. Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Lilly Reale and Jaedyn Shaw are the four others from Gotham that will join her in April. Shaw has only made one start in 2026 for the reigning NWSL champions, but was a crucial part of the team’s playoff campaign. 

Hayes’ squad also includes five players from the WSL, and two players from OL Lyonness France’s Premiere Ligue. Nearly all of them are still fighting for the UEFA Women’s Champion’s League title with their respective clubs, except for Sam Coffey with Manchester City are holding onto the top spot in the Women’s Super League title race.

The roster has zero players who have not been called up before, but the least experienced international players are San Diego Wave’s Kennedy Wesley and the Chicago Stars’ Jameese Joseph who both have four caps respectively. 

The goalkeeper room will be interesting to follow as they all have 10 caps or less with the Houston Dash’s Jane Campbell leading the room with 10 caps. Claudia Dickey and Phallon Tullis-Joyce are the two others and played with the Seattle Reign at the same time. Tullis-Joyce was transferred to Manchester United in 2023 and Dickey remained on the Reign after backing her up for a full season in 2022.

“As our team continues to evolve, it will be great to welcome back (Wilson) and (Davidson) who are not only great players but also contribute positively to our team environment,” said Hayes in a statement. “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. 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.”

The three-match series will take place in the Western United States beginning on April 11 in San Jose, Calif., before continuing to Seattle, Wash. on Tuesday, April 14, and concluding on Friday, April 17, in Commerce City, Colo. at the home of the expansion NWSL club, Denver Summit FC. 

The three matches will be broadcast on linear television on TNT and available for streaming on HBO Max in English. Spanish broadcasts will also be available on Universo and streaming on Peacock.

The full roster including clubs, caps and goals by each player is listed below.

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)