Vets, rookies, position battles and more: 5 keys as the USWNT takes on Argentina in opening match of the SheBelieves Cup

The USWNT are surely destined for success in this tournament with the trio of veterans leading the pack. Heaps, Emily Sonnet and Rose Lavelle have combined for 399 caps among them. 

These three have a rich history on the USWNT, and at the SheBelieves Cup tournament. 

Sonnett is the only USWNT player who's appeared in all 11 iterations of the SheBelieves Cup, dating back to the inaugural tournament in 2016. Heaps has been part of the roster every year, but didn't play in 2016 due to injury. Her final goal to solidify a 3-1 triumph against Japan in 2020 and her game game winner, also against Japan, in 2024 for the Cup title, will go down in history. 

Lavelle's appearing on the SheBelieves Cup roster for the seventh time. In 2021, she was not only responsible for the game- winning goal in the USWNT's opening match, but also took home MVP honors. 

These are three players that know a thing, or many things, about the SheBelieves Cup, winning, and what it takes to not only take on the world's best opponents, but defeat them.

Nine players on the squad will appear on the SheBelieves Cup roster for the first time. That list is comprised of Maddie Dahlien, Riley Jackson, Jordyn Bugg, Lilly Reale, Kennedy Wesley, Kate Wiesner, Jameese Joseph, Claudia Dickey and Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Eight of the nine made their USWNT debuts in 2025 or 2026 and were part of the January squad with Reale, who was with Gotham FC in the FIFA Women's Champions Cup, being the lone exception. 

Since the initial announcement of the SheBelieves Cup roster, defender Emily Sams replacing Bugg and Avery Patterson replacing Wiesner. 

Even with the adjustments to the squad, there's a wide range of experience heading into this tournament. There's still a balanced mix of experience and rookie energy making up this squad. Twelve players on the roster have 10 caps or fewer.

The USWNT loves a sister moment. 

The Thompsons duo are the third pair of sisters to represent the United States. The first time Alyssa Thompson and Gisele Thompson were named to the same USWNT roster was last year's SheBelieves Cup. At the time, both sisters were playing for National Women's Soccer League club Angel City FC. Now, Alyssa Thompson, the older sister, plays for Chelsea. 

Gisele plays outside back and Alyssa plays up top. The sisters have started two games together for the national team and have played in three total. They started together against Australia and Brazil in last year's SheBelieves Cup tournament.

The USWNT is stacked with outside backs, from Reale, U.S. Soccer's Young Female Player of the Year, to forward turned outside back Avery Patterson. And that’s not to mention Gisele Thompson and Emily Sams. There's also Tara Rudd and Kennedy Wesley, who could also slide into an outside back role if called on. 

Knowing the way the USWNT plays, an attacking minded-style with rapid wingers, it's going to be interesting to see how the left outside back position shapes up. Chances are high Hayes tries out a few different variations to work towards solidifying a back four ahead of qualifying. 

While there isn't a clear No. 9 in the roster at the moment, without Sophia Wilson and Catarina Macario in the mix, there are players who can make a case to fill that spot. Ally Sentnor, Jaedyn Shaw and Jameese Joseph have been slotted into that role before and have shown they can not only hold up the ball under pressure, but execute in the final third. 

Now, on the wing, there's Alyssa Thompson, Trinity Rodman, Emma Sears and Maddie Dahlien to choose from. That means Hayes will always have plenty speed, service, and one-vs.-one magic on both sides of the field.