It was a night full of firsts for the U.S. Women’s National Team in Santa Barbara, California.
Croix Bethune set the tone as the 24-year-old received a through ball from Ayo Oke after 18 minutes and despite a near-fall she sailed past the Chilean goalkeeper for her first career U.S. goal. For Oak, who is making her debut, this is also her first international assist.
advertise
Eight minutes later, Chicago Stars standout Jameese Joseph scored her first goal for Team USA when she beat a defender and fired a rocket into the back of the net. Then first-time captain and defender Emily Sams snuck in her first goal for the U.S., a resounding moment for one of the team’s quiet leaders.
With two second-half goals from Emma Sears and Trinity Rodman, the U.S. women’s soccer team defeated Chile 5-0 to end their January window with another emphatic victory.
It’s a fitting way to end what head coach Emma Hayes calls Team USA’s final window of experimentation as she now begins to finalize the core group for 2027.
“It definitely kicks off the new year with the key themes that we’ve identified going into (World Cup) qualifying,” Hayes said. “This camp gives us a reference point to be able to say these are the things we need to add to get to the next level.”
advertise
The January window focuses on developments. Hayes appointed two of the U.S. women’s soccer starting lineups with the least experience in 25 years, averaging 5.2 appearances against Chile on Tuesday. The starting lineup averaged less than 10 appearances against Paraguay on Saturday.
Hayes was unable to call up many of her regulars for these games. Since it falls outside the typical FIFA window, European clubs are not required to release players, meaning this camp will only feature players from the NWSL, excluding Gotham FC players who are in London for the FIFA Women’s Champions League.
Hayes said her squad for the SheBelieves Cup in March and three back-to-back friendlies against Japan in April will be more representative of her squad for the qualifiers later this year. However, she said there are six to eight players vying for a chance to be in the core group during this window.
There are seven scorers in the two-game window, with different starting lineups in each half in an effort to give players equal opportunities to play. For example, some players who didn’t play on Tuesday played important roles in the team’s first game against Paraguay.
advertise
There were some clear standouts on Tuesday, like Bethune, Joseph and Sams. Oke, who was drafted into camp as Avery Patterson’s replacement, also played a big role in sparking Bethune’s motivation.
“This is the best training camp I’ve ever seen in terms of Croy’s approach and application,” Hayes said. “She’s quick, she’s smart. She unlocks things. She sees the pass… I can feel Croy’s game is going to be at the next level.”
Bethune, the 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year, didn’t score her first goal for Team USA until Saturday, when she assisted Sears against Paraguay. Bethune almost scored in the first game, but ended up with an own goal. It was clear her desire to score continued into Tuesday.
Sears, the nation’s leading scorer in the NWSL last year, has also developed into one of Hayes’ more consistent scorers in the group. Her impact was immediate. Her power is on display when she drives past defenders. She also scored in the first minute of the second half. Sears and Rodman were the two players who scored in both games.
advertise
The window also marked Rodman’s triumphant return to the international stage. On Tuesday, she reminded fans why she is one of the highest-paid players in the world. In the 63rd minute, she came on as a substitute. Five minutes later she scored a stunning goal, assisted by debutant Riley Jackson. Rodman once again celebrated with a fiery dance to “Sexy Dexy” — and this time, she managed to get Hayes to join her.
Hayes emphasized that part of her evaluation during this window includes determining where players fit into the program’s long-term plans. She said if players don’t make the 2027 core group, they could be considered players for the 2028 Olympics or even the 2031 World Cup.
“It’s doing two or three things at once,” Hayes said, “but that’s development.”
This is the final window for experimentation, and it feels like a new chapter for the U.S. Women’s National Team under Hayes. Since she took over in 2024, the team has built an entire ecosystem at under-23 level and a development pathway into the senior squad.
advertise
Hayes mentioned how less experienced players can make a seamless transition to the senior team during this window. She mentioned Maddie Dahlien, Jackson, Joseph and 19-year-old Jordyn Bugg.
“You understand the way we want to play and because (U23 head coach) Heather (Dyche) and her staff are doing some groundwork, the transition is seamless,” Hayes said. “That’s what our U23 program is about and I think it’s paying dividends.”
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
U.S. Women’s National Team, Women’s Soccer, FIFA Women’s World Cup
2026 Sports Media Company