USWNT opens 2026 with a 6–0 friendly win over Paraguay in California
The U.S. women’s national team began its 2026 schedule with a lopsided friendly victory over Paraguay, featuring goals from emerging players and a notable return to action for Trinity Rodman.
The United States women’s national team opened its 2026 schedule with an emphatic 6–0 win over Paraguay in a friendly at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The match served as an early-year checkpoint for head coach Emma Hayes and her staff as they evaluate depth, integrate newer players and manage the return of key contributors after injuries and club commitments.
The U.S. controlled the game from the start, dictating tempo and possession while limiting Paraguay’s opportunities. Such January-window matches often function less as tactical finals and more as auditions, where coaches test combinations, reward club form, and look for which players can translate domestic or youth success into international impact.
Reilyn Turner scored in her first international appearance, putting the U.S. ahead before halftime and setting the tone for a dominant second half. Debut or first-start goals can matter beyond the scoreline: they can accelerate a player’s confidence and raise their standing in a crowded position group, particularly as the team plans for the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship and the longer pathway toward 2027 World Cup qualification.
After the break, the U.S. attack surged. Ally Sentnor scored twice, and the team benefited from additional finishing moments as the pressure mounted. In a game where the U.S. sustained control, the emphasis often shifts to execution in the final third—movement between lines, timing of runs, and finishing variety—rather than simply generating chances.
Trinity Rodman, returning from injury and wearing the captain’s armband, also found the net. Her return is significant for the U.S. because she combines pace, directness and defensive work rate, and she can change the shape of a match with isolated 1-v-1 pressure on fullbacks. Building her minutes early in the year can be a key part of managing her availability for more demanding fixtures later in the calendar.
The match also included recognition of Christen Press, who retired in 2025 after a landmark national team career. Transitional moments like that—honoring veterans while introducing new scorers—are common as the program cycles between generations and evolves its playing identity under a new coaching staff.
The U.S. will continue its January camp schedule with further friendlies, using the window to refine chemistry and identify which younger players can contribute in competitive matches. For Paraguay, the game offered a measuring stick against elite opposition and a chance to evaluate defensive organization and transition play under sustained pressure.