Key Takeaways
- Trinity Rodman returns to the U.S. women’s national team after being hampered by injuries in 2025
- The 26-player roster for the January camp features four first-time call-ups, including Maddie Dahlien, Reilyn Turner, Riley Jackson, and Sally Menti
- The camp will include two matches against Paraguay and Chile, and will be used to evaluate players for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup roster
- The roster has an average age of 24.1 and an average of 6.6 caps per player, with Trinity Rodman having the most caps (47) and goals (11)
- A development camp will run concurrently with the senior team camp, featuring players born between 2003-08
Introduction to the January Camp
The U.S. women’s national team is gearing up for a pivotal year, with the 2027 World Cup in Brazil on the horizon. To start the year off right, coach Emma Hayes has announced a 26-player roster for the January camp, which will feature the first matches of 2026 against Paraguay and Chile. The camp is made up entirely of NWSL players, with no overseas players participating due to the camp taking place outside a FIFA window. One of the notable inclusions on the roster is star forward Trinity Rodman, who is back with the team after being hampered by injuries in 2025.
Trinity Rodman’s Return
Rodman’s last national team outing was in April, when she scored the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Brazil. She returned to the NWSL for the latter part of the season, helping the Washington Spirit reach the championship game against Gotham FC. With some time to rest her body, Rodman is now back with the squad and ready to contribute to the team’s success. Her experience and skill will be invaluable to the team, particularly with the 2027 World Cup qualifying process approaching.
Roster Analysis
The roster for the January camp features a mix of experienced players and newcomers. In addition to Rodman, other notable players on the roster include Croix Bethune, who was part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Olivia Moultrie, who has 11 caps and 5 goals for the national team. The roster also includes four first-time call-ups: Maddie Dahlien, Reilyn Turner, Riley Jackson, and Sally Menti. These players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on the 2026 SheBelieves Cup roster.
Development Camp
Running concurrently with the senior team camp will be a development camp, featuring players born between 2003-08. This camp provides an opportunity for younger players to advance along the pathway to the USWNT one day. Players like Jordyn Bugg, Gisele Thompson, and Claire Hutton, who participated in the 2025 Futures Camp, are now part of the senior team roster, demonstrating the success of this development pathway.
Coaching Staff’s Goals
According to coach Emma Hayes, the January camp provides an opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate players and for some NWSL players who haven’t been seen as much in the national team environment to show they can contribute in 2026, 2027, or beyond. The camp will also include two matches, which will give the coaching staff a chance to see the players in game action and potentially add more depth and options to the 2026 SheBelieves Cup roster.
Roster Breakdown
The roster for the January camp is broken down by position, with three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and seven forwards. The roster has an average age of 24.1 and an average of 6.6 caps per player, making it a relatively young and inexperienced group. However, with players like Rodman and Bethune leading the way, the team has a good mix of experience and youth.
Conclusion
The U.S. women’s national team is looking to start the year off strong, with the January camp providing an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and earn a spot on the 2026 SheBelieves Cup roster. With Trinity Rodman back on the team and a mix of experienced and new players, the team is well-positioned for success in the coming year. The development camp running concurrently with the senior team camp will also provide a chance for younger players to develop and potentially become part of the national team in the future.