The U.S. Women`s National Team is set to conclude its summer friendly series with a highly anticipated match on Wednesday. Following two commanding 4-0 victories against Ireland, the squad will now face its long-standing Concacaf rival, Canada. While scoring eight goals across the two previous games was encouraging, Canada presents a different kind of challenge, especially for a younger USWNT roster eager to make a strong impression on the coaching staff. The significance of this match is greater than that of the previous six months.
This upcoming game marks the 67th historical meeting between the two nations. The focus surrounding the match isn`t just on who will feature against their northern neighbors, but also on how the player debuts and breakthroughs of the last six months have started to redefine the core of the USWNT player pool going forward. After facing Canada, the team will next convene during the international windows in the fall. This is roughly 13 months away from the November 2026 Concacaf W Championship, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA Women`s World Cup in the region.
There is considerable pressure on players hoping to be part of the team`s strategy for the 2027-28 cycle. Let`s examine which players are trending upwards and seem likely to remain in contention, and who might need this final test against Canada to solidify their position within the pool:
The Rationale Behind New Faces
It can be argued that a generational transition has been key in reshaping the USWNT. A significant number of player retirements over the past two years, combined with the arrival of new head coach Emma Hayes and her staff, led to a proactive approach to fully rebuild and emerge stronger after their unprecedented 2023 World Cup exit. While a 2024 Olympic gold medal has restored the USWNT to the top of podiums and rankings, 2025 has been dedicated to expanding the player pool and experimentation, partly because several key members of the gold-medal squad have been largely unavailable for selection for the last six months.
The prominent attacking line, nicknamed `Triple Espresso` – consisting of Sophia Wilson, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman – has been mostly absent from the squad throughout 2025. Rodman featured in camps against Brazil but has since been ruled out with no clear timeline for return due to a persistent back injury. Meanwhile, Wilson and Swanson are on maternity leave and are not anticipated back this year. Beyond Hayes` preferred forward trio, defender Naomi Girma and midfielder Rose Lavelle are notable players who rejoined the roster in May and June, respectively.
Significance of the Match
With many regular players unavailable, numerous new players have been brought into the team. While two comfortable wins against an injury-depleted Ireland provided some positive results, a more rigorous benchmark is needed, making Canada the ideal opponent. The regional rivals` physical intensity, resilience, and experienced players offer the ultimate challenge.
Emma Hayes has been clear about her plan to narrow down the expanded player pool to a core group following the summer window. This aligns with the coaching staff`s long-term strategy and the build-up towards the 2027-28 cycle. Some players currently in the senior national team program have only been involved for six months, while others have been with the group since the previous fall.
Players to Watch Against Canada
Ultimately, spots on the roster for third, fourth, or fifth options beyond the likely starting eleven are being contested. The match against Canada provides an excellent opportunity for players competing for these depth roles to prove themselves.
Here are five players we hope to see start against Canada on Wednesday:
Avery Patterson: The outside back has impressed across her five appearances with the USWNT. Her performance against China in May showed improvement after her initial minutes against Brazil in April, and her start against Ireland resulted in her first national team goal. While Hayes complimented the fullback`s progress and willingness to learn, she also noted the need for Patterson to be tested defensively. She will get that opportunity against Canada.
Michelle Cooper: This winger has made the most of her opportunities and has been in the majority of national team camps this year. Her play stands out; it`s often described as fearless and direct, driving at opposing defenses with an intensity that some might see as reckless, but with more game time, could be precisely the energy required.
Yazmeen Ryan: Another option among the forward group capable of providing creative wing play. However, her club move to the Houston Dash hasn`t entirely gone as planned, partly due to a lingering injury. She scored her first national team goal against Ireland on Thursday and has been involved in USWNT camps since last fall.
Mandy McGlynn: Only Phallon Tulis-Joyce has received consecutive starts in goal for the USWNT in 2025. With Canada being the top-ranked opponent in this window, we might see McGlynn get a start. She is the most experienced goalkeeper on the roster with five starts already. However, in previous appearances against strong teams like Brazil, there were moments where she showed areas for improvement on certain plays. A match against Canada will be a valuable test to assess her development.
Giselle Thompson: The fullback is having a solid club season with Angel City FC alongside her sister Alyssa Thompson. Giselle, primarily a defender, has delivered respectable performances to the point that the coaching staff wanted to evaluate her in more attacking roles. She was called up as part of the forward group earlier this month but had to withdraw due to injury. Now, back in contention, she has a chance to challenge a formidable opponent.
