The U.S. women’s national team kicked off its 2026 journey in resounding fashion, dominating Paraguay 6-0 on Saturday. With a roster predominantly featuring players from the National Women’s Soccer League, excluding NJ/NY Gotham FC, several less experienced players took full advantage of the chance to showcase their skills on a national stage.
This match unfolded in two distinct halves. During the first 45 minutes, the U.S. struggled to convert a barrage of chances despite maintaining a strong grip on possession. Paraguay’s coach, Fábio Fukumoto, orchestrated his team’s defense effectively, allowing them to absorb pressure and thwart dangerous plays at crucial moments. On the U.S. side, head coach Emma Hayes recognized the disparity in performance, noting the mix of promising passes paired with an equal number of errors.
“At the highest level, you don’t receive three or four opportunities. You get one or two,” Hayes remarked during the post-match press conference.
Trinity Rodman, the most experienced player in the camp, donned the captain’s armband and carved out space on her preferred right side, delivering balls into the box that were ultimately unmet by her teammates’ finishing ability.
