The U.S. women’s national team will travel to Brazil for friendlies one year before the 2027 Women’s World Cup as coach Emma Hayes continues to refine her roster, according to ESPN. Hayes has narrowed a core group while remaining willing to take risks and reward current form; the Brazil trip and recent games against Japan are expected to be key tests of player readiness.
ESPN’s Big Board exercise imagines naming a World Cup roster today, which excludes players sidelined by significant or longer-term injuries. For example, forward Catarina Macario and midfielder Sam Coffey are not listed on a roster named today: Macario has not played in months because of a heel issue, and Coffey recently underwent minor knee surgery, according to ESPN.
The Big Board uses four tiers: Tier 1 are locks and first-choice starters; Tier 2 are squad players who would provide depth; Tier 3 are on the bubble, including younger or less-proven players; Tier 4 are outside looking in, encompassing former options or less-established prospects, according to ESPN.
At goalkeeper, ESPN lists Claudia Dickey and Phallon Tullis-Joyce as locks, with Mandy McGlynn and Jane Campbell on the bubble and Abby Smith and Jordan Silkowitz outside looking in. Dickey started two of three games against Japan — both wins — and remains in a battle with Tullis-Joyce for the starting job, per ESPN. Campbell began the season strongly with Houston but has recently struggled, while McGlynn has been outstanding for Utah, including notable stops in a win over Angel City FC with Hayes in attendance. Smith has been cited by ESPN as arguably the best all-around goalkeeper in the NWSL this year. Silkowitz recently joined the U-23 national team as an overage player.
On the flanks, Emily Fox and Gisele Thompson are listed as locks, with Avery Patterson in the squad and Lilly Reale and Ayo Oke on the bubble; Ryan Williams, Leah Klenke and Evelyn Shores are outside looking in, according to ESPN. Fox is described as among the sport’s elite at fullback, while Thompson is credited with significant improvement; Thompson told ESPN’s Futbol W she has focused on nutrition, stretching and even riding the bike at halftime to boost durability.
