USWNT World Cup 2027 Roster Predictions 1.0: Catarina Macario makes a big impression; The main vets remain in the midfield

The 2025 calendar year has been a year of experimentation and evaluation for the US Women’s National Team. Head coach Emma Hayes is making the most of the time in the next tournament cycle in ways that were not available to her in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympics. With only one international window remaining this year, the expanded roster will become even slimmer with Concacaf World Cup qualifiers just 13 months away.

The last October window had plenty of opportunities for the program after splitting games against it PortugalA 2-1 loss followed 3-1 winand a massive crushing of New Zealand 6-0 on Wednesday.

“I think the last two games have been another step. That’s it. It’s nothing more than that, but it’s starting to look like the team we’re trying to build,” Hayes said after New Zealand’s win.

“I think it’s a huge credit to the whole team, because they are so happy to be training. They value learning so much, but they give so much to each other, and when I tell you it’s a pleasure to be in this environment, that’s an understatement.”

2027 USWNT World Cup Roster Predictions

After a three-match international wait, there is a lot to think about moving forward. This is exactly the type of scenario Hayes wanted to be in this time of year. There is one more window at the beginning of December before the program is paused until 2026. Then we are full speed ahead to November’s World Cup qualifiers for the CONCACAF region.

Here are my roster predictions based on recent form and major tournament experience from the Olympics:

Goalkeepers (3): Fallon Tullis Joyce (Manchester United), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Rain), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)

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

Midfielders (6): Lindsay Hibbs (All Lion), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lily Johannes (OL Leon), Claire Houghton (KC Current), Croix Python (Washington Spirit)

Strikers (7): Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Ally Centenor (KC Current), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns), Mal Swanson (Chicago). The stars), Michelle Cooper (Current Kansas City)

Goalkeepers

Oddly enough, a situation that many thought would be a more methodical and lengthy process can now be considered one of the most predictable. Fallon Tullis-Joys, Claudia Dickie and Mandy McGlynn have been mainstays among the goalkeepers’ union through 2025.

“I think you can see the consistency of selection between the three goalkeepers we brought in. We’re starting to understand that. There’s consistency in that. I think Fallon and her experiences in England She’s taken her game to the next level, and it’s like I’m really noticing that she’s playing with a player who’s been through so many different levels. “There were things she definitely had to work on after Seattle, and I think she went to England and started adding them.” Hayes told the media after selecting the roster.

Unlike other positions that can take into account injuries or absences of key players, the highlighting of the main role came about because Alyssa Naher’s retirement. The two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist stepped away from international football last year but has played for the Chicago Stars ever since, although she is yet to decide whether to play professionally at the moment.

“I’ve said this, a lot of times, if you think about when Alyssa Naeher became the number one goalkeeper for the U.S. national team, it takes a while. But I would also say in that, Fallon is a type of goalkeeper, Claudia [Dickey] He is another type of goalkeeper, who I think also provides a consistent level of play. “I think the difference between them is that the one who is more experienced than the other has been in more experienced situations, not just the Champions League and FA Cup finals, and maybe different club transfers,” Hayes said.

“But I think the group that we have in this camp, we think those three are ahead. I think Fallon is ahead at this moment in time, from an experience standpoint, but I expect that I will provide opportunities for at least two of them in this camp.”

Defenders

Besides the centre-forward, there are a lot of questions in the defender department. There are several defenders who are out due to injury and were mainstays in the Olympic team, namely Tierna Davidson and Naomi Girma. There are also questions about the lack of minutes for Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain) and Jenna Niggsunger (Arsenal) in Europe.

But we know roster projections are illusory and anything can change between now and next year, and it’s hard to ignore what rookie defensemen are doing in and out of training camp. If there is anything else that Hayes values, it is the versatility of a player, and Emily Sams’ ability to play along the back line will keep her in favour.

Washington Spirit defender Tara McKeown became a starting midfielder for the National Team, and the Houston Dash’s Avery Patterson immediately started herself in the linebacker conversation alongside Emily Fox, making things even more complicated for others looking in from the outside.

Midfielders

the Promoting young people and new faces of the pool This year has been purposeful, but that doesn’t mean experience isn’t necessary. The right balance will win games, and Hayes has been clear he needs both. That’s why there’s no doubt at the moment that Lindsey Hibbs and Rose Lavelle will remain key figures among the midfielders.

“This team has the fewest caps of any team we’ve put together in 25 years. So we have to appreciate that Sonnet has 111 caps, I think in the last game, and the rest have 100 caps. This time, Rose has 114 caps and the rest 77… I mean, that’s what we want. These players, we’re developing real competition in our squad and the expectations have always been here for this team. We understand that. But, internally, the important things for us are to be ourselves, to We play the way we want to play.”

Sam Coffey, an Olympic gold medalist who earned a berth in the NRL playoffs with the Portland Thorns, has quickly risen as a commanding figure among rosters this year, and was vocal about the group’s poor performance during the opening loss to Portugal before the group bounced back in the opener.

Teenagers Lily Johannes and Claire Houghton have also received plenty of call-ups to camp this year, and while Johannes develops with OL Leon and Houghton continues to shine with the Kansas City Current, the duo will remain part of the starting midfield. If Croix-Python continues her success with the Washington Spirit, the 2024 gold medalist could return to the mix during the final window of the calendar year or in January.

Olivia Molter has made five appearances this year, making two starts and scoring twice against Portugal on Sunday, but I still think she’s only on the sidelines, along with What’s good?. Both players have split time between the U23 and first team camps this year.

attackers

This group is very likely the largest core group to be identified. There is no doubt that the riseTriple espresso“With Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson during the Olympics it was not just a return to the top of the podium but a cultural shift. Catarina Macario was also an Olympic selection but took herself off the roster due to a long-term injury.

Macario’s October window was a success, operating as a false nine at times, showcasing a holding game, and combining with Lavelle. She scored two goals against New Zealand and is a player who was once recruited to Chelsea by Emma Hayes.

Rodman’s return from a back injury was filled with notable goals and a long call-up to return to the national team camps. But the winger suffered a grade-one injury in the Premier League and missed the October window. Hayes and the Washington Spirit are hopeful she will return to the club for the playoffs after an evaluation. Wilson and Swanson are currently on maternity leave, and if they do well near the playoffs next year, they will definitely be back in the mix.

Under Hayes, there was a common understanding that there were no longer “locks” when it came to roster selections. This was clearly demonstrated last year Olympic roster omission for Alex Morgan. Hayes wants her decisions to be tough, but she also doesn’t shy away from making the kind of choices that make headlines.

However, if the young, star-studded front three and Olympic gold medalist are healthy and available, you pick them.

Who ultimately embodies the frontal core will be of key importance. At this point, is there an actual fourth, fifth, and sixth best option for the offensive rotation? The answer is yes, but the talent is so good that it would be a competitive cauldron if the “triple espresso” was used. Camps alongside Alyssa ThompsonAllie Centenor and Michelle Cooper.

“I remember watching her at the futures camp, and my first impression of her that week was — which was so priceless that the futures camp we have in January is crucial not only to her development, but to being seen by the national team staff,” Hayes said. “And if you think about the seven or so players who have made their way to the national team, she was one of the standouts at that moment. And to be honest, without that camp, I’m not sure she would have gotten the profile that she has.” Cooper’s path in 2025

“But she’s growing from strength to strength. I remember talking to Tracy Kevins about how much of a leader she was at youth national team level. And so I can see she’s given everything she can. She wants to get a lot better, and you can see the growth in her game again. She makes me laugh so hard. Honestly, she’s hilarious. She’s a lot of fun, I think, for the fans to watch, not only because she’s explosive and gets to great areas, but she brings great personality to her play.”