U.S. Women's National Team head coach Emma Hayes has named her 26-player roster for their upcoming tricky triple-header against Japan , with Olympic gold medal-winning forward Sophia Wilson set to make her long-awaited comeback.
Having last played for the USWNT at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she scored three goals in six games, Wilson announced she and her husband, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael, were expecting in March 2025.
Having given birth in September to Gianna, Wilson has since returned to the field, appearing in all four games for the Portland Thorns so far this NWSL season, making her first start on March 28 in a 2-0 win against the Kansas City Current.
Michael and Sophie Wilson welcomed their daughter, Gianna, in September -Credit:Photo by Amanda Loman/NWSL via Getty Images
The 58-time international, who has found the back of the net 24 times for the USWNT since 2020, was lauded by Hayes in the Briton's press conference on Wednesday after her roster was announced.
"Watching her play 70 minutes the other night, it was almost like I couldn't believe she's had a baby and come back to perform at the level she's done," Hayes said.
"Like real, real credit to her and the team around her, seeing really positioned, pre and post-pregnancy planning in a fantastic way, like it's a real, real credit to everyone to get her to that place.
"I have, of course, remained in contact with her, and we've spoken regularly, and 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 the World Cup qualifiers.
"So I cannot wait to welcome her and Gigi. I know there's going to be a lot of fussing over them. I know I will steal Gigi a few times for sure. And honestly, I'm so happy, and I'm so excited she's back. And I'm really proud of her with the way she's responded after giving birth, and I understand what that takes, and yeah, I'm really proud of her."
Another returnee to the USWNT lineup will be Gotham FC's Tierna Davidson , who missed most of last season with a torn ACL.
The 27-year-old, who also won gold in Paris and has previously won the FIFA Women's World Cup with the USWNT, will be slowly eased back into action by Hayes, who discussed not only her admiration for the 67-time international but also her excitement at having her back in and around the team.
"I really rate Tierna Davidson as a football player, and I value those qualities, especially as a left-footed center back," Hayes said. "And what a long journey she's been on. Shown once again, not just her resilience, but her determination to bring her back to a great level.
"She's got a wonderful medical staff at Gotham, who I think have transitioned her all the way through to get to this point. And of course, I think she's a little bit behind Soph, but, again, I think it's important for her to re-enter other environments.
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said she was 'super excited' to have Gotham FC defender Tierna Davidson back in camp -Credit:Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images
"She hasn't been in there for such a long time and there's been so many developments. So bringing her back up to speed.
"I think she will be used in a limited capacity, but merely because I think from experience, when you come back to playing and you play at your club level, and then you all of a sudden you've got an international camp on top of that, it's important for us to make sure we follow everything that has been, that she's been working on so far with Gotham and transition her back into our environment and then back out again to continue her progress with Gotham.
"But I am super excited for lots of reasons. She's a great player, but she's such a brilliant person. She's a deep thinker and someone who challenges me, and I enjoy her company and really, really looking forward to bringing her back in."
Davidson has made three appearances so far this season, all off the bench for Gotham, and has yet to play more than 30 minutes in a single game.
The USWNT is scheduled to kick off its trio of games against a Japanese side currently ranked fifth in the world by FIFA on April 11 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. They will then face off again on April 14 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, three days before the finale at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
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Goalkeepers - Jane Campbell , Claudia Dickey, Phallon Tullis-Joyce
Defenders -Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox , Naomi Girma , Avery Patterson, Lilly Reale, Emily Sams, Emily Sonnett , Gisele Thompson, Kennedy Wesley
Midfielders - Sam Coffey , Lindsey Heaps , Claire Hutton, Rose Lavelle , Olivia Moultrie , Jaedyn Shaw , Lily Yohannes
Forwards -Michelle Cooper, Jameese Joseph, Trinity Rodman , Emma Sears, Ally Sentnor, Alyssa Thompson , Sophia Wilson
