Hello! International men`s soccer break concluded dramatically on Tuesday with Argentina`s dominant victory over Brazil. Meanwhile, the US Women`s National Team is preparing for upcoming international matches with a newly announced roster. I`m Pardeep Cattry, bringing you the latest updates.
Argentina`s Impressive Win Against Brazil
Despite playing without Lionel Messi, Argentina, the current world champions, delivered a strong 4-1 victory against Brazil on Tuesday. This win also secured their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez quickly put Argentina ahead with two goals within the first 12 minutes. Although Matheus Cunha scored for Brazil in the 26th minute, Argentina maintained control with further goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone, ensuring a decisive home win.
Argentina finishes this international break leading the qualifying group by eight points over Ecuador. Their early World Cup qualification with five games remaining highlights their successful campaign. Even though Messi is the top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying with six goals, coach Lionel Scaloni has effectively tested the team`s strength without the veteran player. Tuesday`s victory demonstrated this depth, as Chuck Booth points out.
- Booth: `Argentina showed their team strength even without Messi and injured striker Lautaro Martinez. Players like Alvarez and Fernandez celebrated their goals in honor of Martinez, but it was clearly a team effort. Each of their four goals was scored by a different player. Brazil`s defense had some weaknesses, but Argentina`s excellent passing created those opportunities, even involving defender Nicolas Tagliafico in an assist.`
Brazil ends the month in fourth place in the qualifying standings, still within the automatic qualification spots for the 2026 World Cup. They are comfortably ahead of Venezuela and Bolivia, who are in playoff and non-qualification positions respectively. While World Cup qualification still seems likely for Brazil, their performance raises questions. Despite a talented attacking lineup including Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Raphinha, they managed only three shots against Argentina, with just one on target for Cunha`s goal.
Argentina is among the first non-host nations to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, joining Japan, New Zealand, and Iran. Currently, 41 spots are still available in the expanded 48-team World Cup format.
Trinity Rodman Returns to USWNT
Trinity Rodman is set to rejoin the US Women`s National Team for the first time since the Olympic Games last summer. She will be part of the team for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil next month. Rodman is one of the more experienced players on a team that includes many new faces, as coach Emma Hayes continues to experiment and build towards the 2027 Women`s World Cup.
Here is the full USWNT roster:
- Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell, Mandy McGlynn, Phallon Tullis-Joyce
- Defenders (8): Alana Cook, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox, Tara McKeown, Avery Patterson, Emily Sams, Emily Sonnett
- Midfielders (6): Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Heaps, Claire Hutton, Jaedyn Shaw, Lily Yohannes
- Forwards (7): Michelle Cooper, Ashley Hatch, Catarina Macario, Trinity Rodman, Yazmeen Ryan, Ally Sentnor, Alyssa Thompson
Hayes will be working with 11 players who have made 10 or fewer international appearances, including potential debutants Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Avery Patterson. Alana Cook and Ashley Hatch could also see their first game time under Hayes, highlighting the coach’s focus on expanding the player pool. This strategy includes collaboration with the U-23 USWNT, who will hold a camp concurrently with the senior team, similar to the Futures camp in January.
As Hayes experiments with new players and tactics, the goalkeeper position remains a key area of focus following Alyssa Naeher`s retirement in 2024. Hayes has maintained the goalkeeper group from the SheBelieves Cup and has indicated that she aims to finalize her starting goalkeeper choice by June. This puts pressure on the goalkeepers to perform well both at their clubs and with the national team to secure the starting position.
- Hayes: `For all the goalkeepers competing for the spot, it takes time to establish yourself as the number one, just like it did for Alyssa [Naeher]. We have several high-quality goalkeepers. It`s uncertain who will emerge as the starter. They need to take every opportunity to perform. This is a performance-driven environment, and their performances will heavily influence my decisions as we move forward. There will be more changes in goal throughout this camp.`
The USWNT will first play Brazil on April 5th at SoFi Stadium, followed by a second match against Brazil, the 2027 World Cup hosts, on April 8th at PayPal Park in San Jose.
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- USMNT Review: Recent USMNT performances have been underwhelming, making the upcoming Gold Cup crucial for impressing before the 2026 World Cup.
- England Wins Again: England, under Thomas Tuchel, secured their second win in World Cup qualifying.
- Teams of the Week: Debhinha stood out in NWSL, and Kelvin Yeboah made the MLS team of the week.
- Juventus` Situation: An overview of the changes at Juventus, including the hiring of Igor Tudor after Thiago Motta`s departure.
- U.S. Open Cup on CBS Sports: CBS Sports will broadcast the U.S. Open Cup through 2026.
