USWNT opens 2026 with 6-0 win over Paraguay as new faces shine
The U.S. women’s national team began the year with a commanding friendly win, featuring goals from newcomers and a leadership moment for Trinity Rodman as the team builds toward upcoming tournaments.
The United States Women’s National Team opened its 2026 calendar with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Paraguay in a friendly played January 24, 2026 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The match served as an early test of depth and chemistry as the team begins a new year of preparation for major competitions ahead.
Reilyn Turner marked her first international appearance and first start by scoring just before halftime, giving the U.S. a breakthrough after long stretches of control. The second half turned into a wave of pressure and finishing, as the Americans tightened their pressing, moved the ball quickly, and repeatedly forced Paraguay into difficult defensive sequences.
Ally Sentnor scored twice during the second half, and Trinity Rodman returned from injury to captain the team for the first time, adding a goal before being substituted. The performance underlined Rodman’s importance not just as a scorer, but as a tone-setter in tempo and aggression when the U.S. plays in advanced areas.
Additional scoring came from Emma Sears and an own goal, rounding out a lopsided result that reflected the U.S. advantage in both possession and chance creation. The Americans dominated the shot count and consistently won second balls, keeping Paraguay pinned in its own half for extended sequences.
The match also included tributes connected to Christen Press, who retired in 2025. For the current group, the night was less about ceremony than it was about evaluating emerging contributors and the balance between established leaders and newer attackers looking to earn bigger roles.
Head coach Emma Hayes continues to shape the squad with an eye on long-term goals, using friendlies to evaluate combinations and identify who can handle different tactical demands. The team’s next steps include additional fixtures, with upcoming matches against Chile and a series against Japan later in the spring.
For U.S. fans, the opener offered an encouraging theme: production from new faces, a clean sheet, and signs of a deeper attacking pool. The real tests will come against stronger opponents, but the first performance of 2026 set a confident baseline.