USWNT Prepare for Series Against Japan with “Much More Developed” Roster
Sophia Wilson, Tierna Davidson return for April matches in San Jose, Seattle, Commerce City
It’s been just over a year since the U.S. Women’s National Team last played Japan, a 2-1 loss in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup finale. While the USWNT has responded with a dominant 15W-2L-0D record since then on its way to winning the 2026 SheBelieves Cup title, Japan has maintained strong form as well. The Nadeshiko are coming off their own championship, recently claiming the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup trophy with six wins and a +28 goal differential in the tournament.
It sets the stage for three must-watch matches later this month when the two top-five ranked teams will face off three consecutive times during the April FIFA international break.
“This is a fantastic test,” U.S. head coach Emma Hayes said. “They’re champions of Asia. They're easily one of the best teams in the world. I think this is one of the favorites to win the (2027 FIFA Women’s) World Cup. So, what a great test for us in three different cities.”
Hayes named the 26-player training camp roster for the three matches on Wednesday, which has an average of 37.4 caps per player. It’s higher than the 30.4 average ahead of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup and significantly higher than the 6.6 from the January camp, in part due to the long-awaited returns of forward Sophia Wilson (58 caps) and defender Tierna Davidson (67 caps).
Wilson, a member of the “Triple Espresso” front line who helped lead the USA to the 2024 Olympic gold medal, makes her first USWNT roster in 17 months following her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter in early September of 2025. Davidson has made a complete recovery from an ACL injury suffered in NWSL play at the beginning of the 2025 season, and she returns to the USWNT after a 13-month absence.
“Watching [Sophia] play 70 minutes the other night (with the Portland Thorns), I couldn’t believe she’s had a baby and come back to perform at that level,” Hayes said. “This absolutely feels like the right time, not just because she’s playing again at a high level, but I think it’s really important for us to start getting these players like Soph back into a rhythm in preparation for World Cup qualifiers.
“And what a long journey [Tierna’s] been on,” Hayes added. “She’s shown once again not just her resilience but her determination to bring herself back to a great level. She’s a great player, but she’s such a brilliant person, a deep thinker and someone who challenges me. I enjoy her company, and I’m really looking forward to bringing her back in.”
While their returns are welcome, Hayes said Wilson and Davidson will still likely play limited roles in the three matches, creating more opportunities for other players as the two work their way back into the National Team environment. With the three-game structure and Hayes’ continued emphasis on providing exposure for players, she said she plans to utilize a similar lineup for two matches and a different one for the third.
Many of the lesser-capped players on the April roster have just begun their 2026 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season and have performed well over the last few weeks. Angel City FC defenders Gisele Thompson and Emily Sams, two players Hayes applauded for their leadership and development in the January camp and SheBelieves Cup, have helped their club to the top of the table and are tied for the fewest goals allowed (2). Goalkeeper Jane Campbell, whose last cap was in the 2025 match against Japan, makes her return after recording 12 saves and two clean sheets in the Houston Dash’s first three matches.
On the attacking end, Hayes highlighted Chicago Stars forward Jameese Joseph. The 23-year-old's four caps are tied with defender Kennedy Wesley for the fewest on the roster, but Joseph scored her first goal in her second international appearance against Chile on Jan. 27. As Wilson and the third “Triple Espresso” member Mallory Swanson continue to work their way back, Hayes said Joseph is one player she will lean on.
“Whatever we’ve thrown at [Jameese], she’s picked it up really quickly,” Hayes said. “She can play out wide. She can do the job up top. She has the ability to hold the ball up. But what she’s also shown is if she gets the chance, she’ll finish. That, for me, is the most important piece.”
Over half of the April roster was a part of the squad that fell to Japan in 2025. With the addition of a few newcomers and those returning from long absences, Hayes said this group is “much more developed” than the one from a year ago, proving the team is moving in the right direction as it heads into World Cup qualifying.
“I can’t think of a better opponent to play,” Hayes said. “We’re getting closer to what we have to be prepared for. Everybody needs to be locked in to all the details that matter because it’s pivotal at this moment.”
See you soon, San Jose 🫡@Ticketmaster 🎟️: https://t.co/FFaTFvLXM8 pic.twitter.com/5YzLRBtgm4
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) March 31, 2026