USWNT opens 2026 with a 6–0 friendly win over Paraguay led by a wave of young scorers
The U.S. women’s national team began its 2026 calendar with a lopsided friendly win over Paraguay in Carson, California, as several newer faces made an early case for bigger roles. With goals spread across the squad and a controlled performance, the match offered a first look at how the team is building toward a busy year of competition.
The United States women’s national team started its 2026 schedule in emphatic fashion with a 6–0 victory over Paraguay in a friendly at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The match was notable for both the margin and the distribution of contributions, as the U.S. pressed, controlled possession and created chances in waves, while giving significant minutes to emerging players looking to cement themselves in the roster picture.
After a measured first half that still tilted heavily in the U.S. favor, the Americans found a breakthrough just before the interval and then surged after the restart. The second half turned into a showcase of tempo and depth, with the U.S. stretching Paraguay’s defensive shape through wide play, quick combinations at the top of the box, and repeated runs behind the back line.
A key storyline was the impact of newer and returning players. Several young attackers were decisive in the final third, finishing chances created by sustained pressure and well-timed service. The U.S. also benefited from aggressive counter-pressing that repeatedly won the ball back high up the field, limiting Paraguay’s ability to build meaningful possessions and keeping the match largely pinned in one direction.
Paraguay, under constant strain, was forced into deeper defending and emergency clearances, and struggled to string passes together as the U.S. maintained high possession and a large edge in shots. As legs tired, gaps opened, and the U.S. continued to punish mistakes, adding goals that reflected both structured attacking patterns and the opportunism that comes with sustained territorial dominance.
Beyond the scoreline, the performance served as an early-season checkpoint for selection and tactical priorities. Friendlies like this often test combinations, roles and pace, and the U.S. used the match to evaluate how quickly less-established players can execute the team’s pressing triggers and positional rotations in the attacking phase.
The win gives the USWNT a confident starting point for 2026, with upcoming fixtures providing a sharper level of opposition and a clearer measurement of progress. For coaches, the takeaway is less about the final score than about the clarity of execution: controlled possession, organized pressing, and a growing list of players showing they can contribute goals at the international level.