Rodman Headlines USWNT SheBelieves Roster

Nashville, Tennessee — Trinity Rodman’s star continues to rise. The Washington Spirit forward, fresh from signing a record National Women’s Soccer League contract, will headline the 26-player United States women’s national team selected for the 11th SheBelieves Cup, U.S. Soccer announced today. The tournament runs March 1-7 across Tennessee, Ohio and New Jersey and features matches against Argentina, Canada and Colombia, all ranked inside FIFA’s top 30.

Rodman, 22, is joined by fellow headline-makers Lindsey Heaps of France’s Lyonnes and Gotham FC playmaker Rose Lavelle, each eyeing a first USWNT appearance of 2026. The roster, chosen by manager Emma Hayes, blends 19 domestic-based athletes with seven competing abroad, including six currently involved in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

“The SheBelieves Cup is a fantastic tournament which gives us the opportunity to replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament,” Hayes said. “Three quality games in quick succession also allow us to replicate conditions that will prepare us for the World Cup qualifying campaign this fall.”

Rodman enters the competition on a hot streak, having scored twice in January friendlies against Paraguay and Chile and even persuading Hayes to join a post-goal dance. She will be counted on to lead an attack missing Olympic gold-medal forwards Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson, both still regaining full fitness after giving birth last year.

“Sophia and I spoke and she’s just not ready,” Hayes explained. “The return-to-play protocol has just not given her enough time.”

Chelsea striker Cat Macario also remains unavailable as she recovers from a heel injury, leaving Hayes to lean on a youthful pool: 12 players own 10 or fewer caps, and the average age is 24.4 years. Among the fresh faces are siblings Gisele and Alyssa Thompson, making their fourth joint appearance after debuting together in the 2025 edition. They become only the third sister duo to suit up for the USWNT, following the Fairs in the late 1990s and the Mewises at the 2021 Olympics.

The competition introduces a format tweak this year: every draw after 90 minutes proceeds directly to a penalty shoot-out. Teams earn three points for a regulation win, one point for a shoot-out win, and zero for a shoot-out loss. If teams finish level on points, tiebreakers are overall goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head result at the end of regulation, and Fair Play ranking.

The Americans open play March 1 versus Argentina at GEODIS Park in Nashville, meet four-time Olympic champion Canada on March 4 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, and close the group on March 7 against Colombia at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. The USWNT has lifted the SheBelieves trophy seven times and will target an eighth crown while auditioning depth ahead of fall World Cup qualifying.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 7), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 5), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 4)

DEFENDERS (9): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; 6/0), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 71/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 50/2), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 6/0), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit; 10/0), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 113/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 5/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 3/0), Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit; 3/0)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Sam Coffey (Manchester City, ENG; 42/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 170/38), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 13/1), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; 1/0), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 116/27), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 13/5), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 31/9), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 13/1)

FORWARDS (6): Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC; 2/0), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 2/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 49/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 14/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 15/6), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 26/3)