While several of America’s veteran stars left the team this year to start families or take time off due to lingering injuries, coach Emma Hayes has her eyes set on the national team’s future, adding depth for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Young players, on the other hand, made the most of their opportunities.
The U.S. played its final two games of 2025 against Italy, which ended Monday night. with a 2-0 win. It was a perfect test to end the year. The Italian is ranked 12th in the world and played in the semi-finals of the Women’s European Championship this summer.
The United States finished the year ranked second in the world with 12 wins, 3 losses, and 0 losses, totaling 41 points and conceding only 8 goals. The national team lost 2-1 to Japan in the She Believes Cup and was eliminated in April with a 2-1 loss to Brazil. Portugal in 23rd place In late October.
Those losses mattered little to Hayes, who is focused on higher goals. qualify for 2027 Brazil World Cup It is set for late 2026.
“We weren’t focused on the three losses because we were very clear about the process of developing players and what we have to go through,” Hayes said. “If it were me, I wouldn’t make any changes.”
The first full year under Coach Hayes began with a new “Futures Camp” attached to the team’s regular January training camp, reflecting Hayes’ holistic approach to all national teams. This led to a flurry of movement into the youth first team, with invitees including Lily Leal, Avery Patterson and Claire Hutton.
Other young players who have emerged over the past year include Olivia Moultrie, Emma Sears, Croix Bethune, who returned to the team from a knee injury in 2024, 18-year-old Lily Johannes, and last year’s USSF Young Player of the Year, Allie Sentner.
Captain Lindsey Heaps said, “The depth on this team is tremendous. I think that’s the most important thing for the U.S. national team. This is the most competitive environment I’ve ever been a part of and it has been for years and years.” “That’s what has made this team one of the best teams in the world for a long time. Creating that gap, having these new young players come in and absolutely crush it…and when you think about the balance of experienced players and new players, that’s really important.”
With some of the team’s regulars absent, young players were given bigger roles. In a year without the Olympics or the Women’s World Cup, Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson used their vacation time to have a baby. Recently, Lin Biendro also announced that she is pregnant.
Trinity Rodman missed part of the year with a hip injury, then MCL sprain in right knee Because of this, she missed the two games against Italy. Defender Naomi Girma suffered a calf injury while playing for Chelsea. Midfielder Rose Lovell missed the first half of the year due to ankle surgery.
Cat Macario has returned to form this year after struggling with injuries in 2022, including missing the 2023 World Cup with a torn ACL. She led the U.S. national team in 2025 with eight goals, including goals in the final three games of the year.
When asked what he was most proud of this year, Macario said: “Finally finding consistency and being able to represent club and country.” “I think all athletes want to perform at the highest level, but at the same time I think it starts at the base level. It’s just being available and being there to make an impact. And considering everything I’ve been through the last three years, that’s definitely what I’m most proud of this year.”
The national team is scheduled to next camp from January 17th to 27th in Carson, California. The team will play against Paraguay and another opponent to be named later.
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