USWNT 2027 World Cup roster projection 1.0: Catarina Macario makes large impression; Key vets stay in midfield

The 2025 calendar yr has been one in all experimentation and analysis for the U.S. girls’s nationwide crew. Head coach Emma Hayes is using the time in direction of the subsequent match cycle in methods she wasn’t afforded to within the build-up to the 2024 Olympic Video games. With only one worldwide window remaining this yr, the expanded roster will get narrower with Concacaf World Cup qualifiers simply 13 months away. 

The current October window had loads of alternative for this system after splitting video games in opposition to Portugal, a 2-1 loss adopted by a 3-1 win, and a large thumping of New Zealand 6-0 on Wednesday.  

“I believe the final two video games is one other step. That is all it’s. It is not more than that, nevertheless it’s beginning to appear to be the crew that we try to create,” Hayes stated after the New Zealand win. 

 “I believe such large credit score to the entire squad, as a result of they’re such a pleasure to teach. They’re so appreciative of the educational, however they offer a lot to one another, and once I inform you it is such a pleasure to be round this surroundings, that is an understatement.”

2027 USWNT World Cup roster projection

After a three-match worldwide window, there’s lots to think about shifting ahead. That is precisely the kind of situation Hayes wished to be in at this level of the yr. There’s another window at first of December earlier than this system pauses until 2026. Then it is full velocity forward in direction of the World Cup qualifiers in November for the Concacaf area. 

This is my roster projection based mostly on the current kind and main match expertise from the Olympics:

Goalkeepers (3): Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)

Defenders (7): Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Avery Patterson (Houston Sprint), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Emily Sams (Orlando Satisfaction), Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC)

Midfielders (6): Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes), Claire Hutton (KC Present), Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit)

Forwards (7): Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Ally Sentnor (KC Present), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns), Mal Swanson (Chicago Stars), Michelle Cooper (Kansas Metropolis Present)

Goalkeepers

Oddly sufficient, the place that many thought can be a extra methodical and prolonged course of may now be thought of one of many extra predictable. Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Claudia Dickey, and Mandy McGlynn have been mainstays among the many goalkeepers’ union throughout 2025.

“I believe you may see the consistency of the choice within the three goalkeepers we have introduced in. We’re beginning to get that. There’s consistency in that. I believe Phallon and her experiences in England have actually taken her recreation up a notch, like I actually discover she’s enjoying with a participant that has gone by the varied ranges. There was issues she completely needed to work on submit Seattle, that I believe she’s gone to England and began so as to add,” Hayes advised media after the roster choice.

Not like different positions that may think about accidents or absences to key gamers, the highlight on the key function got here attributable to Alyssa Naeher’s retirement. The 2-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist stepped away from worldwide play final yr however has performed for membership Chicago Stars ever since, although she’s but to decide on enjoying professionally in the meanwhile. 

“I’ve stated this, like, plenty of occasions, if you consider when Alyssa Naeher turned the U.S. nationwide crew primary goalkeeper, it takes some time. However I’d additionally say inside that, Phallon is one sort of goalkeeper, Claudia [Dickey] is one other sort of goalkeeper, who I believe can also be bringing a constant degree of play. I believe the distinction between them is that one’s extra skilled than one has lived extra skilled conditions, not simply Champions League, FA Cup finals, perhaps varied membership strikes,” Hayes stated.

“However I do suppose the pool that we’re bringing on this camp, that we predict that these three are forward. I believe Phallon is forward at this second in time, from an expertise perspective, however I do count on that I might be offering alternatives for at the least two of them on this camp.”

Defenders

Subsequent to the attacking core, there are many what-ifs within the defender division. There are a number of defenders out with harm who had been mainstays on the Olympic crew, specifically Tierna Davidson and Naomi Girma. There are additionally questions concerning the lack of minutes for Crystal Dunn (PSG) and Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal) in Europe.

However we all know that roster projections are make-believe and something can change from now until subsequent yr, and it is laborious to disregard what the newer defenders have been doing out and in of coaching camps. If there’s anything Hayes has come to worth, it is participant versatility, and Emily Sams’ means to play alongside the backline will preserve her in favor. 

Washington Spirit defender Tara McKeown has grow to be a nationwide crew starting-caliber centerback, and Houston Sprint’s Avery Patterson has instantly launched herself into the fullback dialog alongside Emily Fox, making issues much more complicated for others exterior trying in. 

Midfielders

The increase of youth and new faces to the pool this yr has been with function, however that does not imply expertise is not vital. The fitting stability will win video games, and Hayes has been clear on needing each. It is why there is not any doubt, for now, that Lindsey Heaps and Rose Lavelle will stay key figures amongst midfielders. 

“That crew has the least quantity of caps of any crew we put collectively in 25 years. So have to understand that Sonnett had 111 caps, I believe final recreation, and the remaining had 100. This time, Rose had 114 and the remaining had 77 … I imply, that is what we wish. These gamers, we’re growing actual competitors in our squad and the expectations have at all times been right here for this crew. We perceive that. However, internally, the essential issues for us is that we get to be ourselves, and we get to play the best way we need to play.”

Recent off Olympic gold and clinching an NWSL Playoffs berth with Portland Thorns is Sam Coffey, who has quickly ascended as a management determine among the many rosters this yr, and was vocal concerning the group’s poor efficiency through the opening loss to Portugal earlier than the group bounced again in recreation one. 

Youngsters Lily Yohannes and Claire Hutton have additionally acquired loads of camp call-ups this yr, and as Yohannes develops with OL Lyonnes and Hutton continues to shine with Kansas Metropolis Present, the duo will stay a part of the midfield core. If Croix Bethune continues her success with the Washington Spirit, the 2024 gold medalist might be again within the combine through the last window of the calendar yr or come January.

Olivia Moultire has 5 appearances this yr, with two begins, and she or he scored two targets in opposition to Portugal on Sunday, however I nonetheless suppose she’s simply on the fringes, together with Jaedyn Shaw. Each gamers have cut up time between U-23 camps and the senior crew this yr. 

Attackers

This group is sort of probably the biggest core to be decided. There isn’t any doubt that the rise of “triple espresso” with Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, and Mallory Swanson through the Olympics was not solely a return to the highest of the rostrum however a tradition shift. Catarina Macario was additionally an Olympic choice however eliminated herself from the roster with a lingering harm. 

Macario’s October window was successful, functioning as a false 9 at occasions, exhibiting hold-up play, and mixing with Lavelle. She scored twice in opposition to New Zealand and is a participant who was as soon as recruited to Chelsea by Emma Hayes.

Rodman’s return from a again harm was stuffed with spotlight targets and a long-time coming name again into nationwide crew camps. However the winger sustained a grade 1 MCL harm and missed the October window. Hayes and the Washington Spirit are hopeful she’ll return to the membership for the playoffs following an analysis. Wilson and Swanson are at present on maternity go away, and if in good kind nearer to qualifiers subsequent yr, will completely be again within the combine.

Below Hayes, there’s been a typical understanding that there aren’t any extra “locks” with regards to roster picks. This was made evident by final yr’s Olympic roster omission of Alex Morgan. Hayes needs her choices to be troublesome, but she additionally is not shying away from making these forms of headline-making decisions. 

Nonetheless, in case your younger, star-studded, Olympic gold medal-winning, attacking line trio is wholesome and obtainable, you are deciding on them.

Who finally fleshes out the ahead core might be of key curiosity. At this level, is there an precise fourth, fifth, and sixth-best choice for attacking rotation? The reply is sure, however the expertise is so good that it will be a aggressive coldron if “triple espresso” are in camps alongside Alyssa Thompson, Ally Sentnor, and Michelle Cooper. 

“I bear in mind watching her within the futures camp, my first impression of her that week — which was so invaluable that futures camp we’ve got in January is important for not simply their growth, however to be seen by the nationwide crew employees. And if you consider the seven or so gamers which have made their means into the nationwide crew, she was one which stood out in that second. If I am trustworthy, I am undecided with out that camp, I am undecided she’d have gotten the look she has,” Hayes stated about Cooper’s trajectory in 2025.

“However she’s going from energy to energy. I bear in mind speaking with Tracy Kevins about what a frontrunner she’s been at youth nationwide crew degree. And so I can see that she has taken every thing in her stride. She needs to enhance a lot, and you may see the expansion in her recreation once more. She makes me stomach snort. Actually, she’s hilarious. She’s such a pleasure, I believe, for followers to observe, not simply because she’s explosive and will get into nice areas, however she brings an awesome character to her play.”