Mar 4, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; United States forward Alyssa Thompson (21) takes a shot on goal during the second half against Canada at Scotts Miracle-Gro Field. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
A narrow victory like the U.S. women’s national team’s 1-0 win over Canada on Wednesday can often leave players wanting more.
But for head coach Emma Hayes, it was the best place for the team to be following its second match of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup.
“I love winning football matches like this, still on a knife edge at one-nil,” Hayes said.
Despite facing its longtime rival, the U.S.’s primary foe in Columbus, Ohio, was more so itself than Canada, as several rushed passes led to missed chances. Otherwise, the USWNT dominated over two-thirds of possession and outshot Canada threefold with 18 attempts to six. By the time Canada earned its second corner, the U.S. already had 10.
The USWNT has held its opponents scoreless since October. But for Hayes, Wednesday’s win wasn’t all about the scoreline.
“You always want more goals, but sometimes not,” Hayes said. “Sometimes, I think it’s a good place to be in, where you’re winning one-nil. How do you manage this part of the game, when maybe the second goal doesn’t come?”
The victory brings the U.S. to 55 wins over Canada in 67 meetings. Both teams previously met in a July friendly that the U.S. won 3-0. Yet despite the larger lead, the July match may not have benefited the USWNT as much as Wednesday’s did — at least in Hayes’ eyes.
“This was a much tougher test than July,” Hayes said. “I thought July was just comfortable everywhere, surprisingly so.”
This time, Canada was riding a wave of newfound momentum. The team had dominated Colombia 4-1 in the first match of the tournament, snapping its five-month scoreless and five-game winless streak. But Canada was scoreless yet again against the U.S. And post-match, Hayes wasn’t the only one paying attention to her squad’s discipline.
“How we can have more composure in those moments becomes really important,” Canada head coach Casey Stoney said.
Patience certainly paid off for Ally Sentnor, whom Hayes said was “menacing” all evening. The forward generated offensive momentum early in the game, but still, like several of her teammates, didn’t manage to seal the deal in the final third. She ended the first half with a shot from the side that went just past the post.
But Sentnor was far from finished. She broke through on her fourth shot of the night, scoring off a corner from Rose Lavelle in the 55th minute to break the stalemate. It marked Sentnor’s seventh international goal and third goal for the USWNT this year in four appearances.
“I actually grew up playing the nine,” Sentnor told TNT postgame. “So it almost feels like I’m back at home and my club team.”
Another crucial piece throughout the night for the U.S. was the left side, held down by sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson. Along with drawing the corner that led to Sentnor’s goal, Alyssa Thompson herself notched several close attempts, including the team’s first shot on target just before the end of first half.
And Gisele Thompson, coming off 90 minutes of playtime against the USWNT’s Sunday win over Argentina, was all over the pitch again the entire game Wednesday.
“She’s having to live a little bit in the shadow of her sister, but her time will come,” Hayes said of the younger Gisele Thompson. “And I think her time is coming.”
Veteran presences from Rose Lavelle to Emily Sonnett also anchored the U.S.’s performance. Even Lindsey Heaps, who scored the team’s first goal against Argentina on Sunday, took the armband when subbing on for Claire Hutton in the last 20 minutes of the match.
“Their maturity is developing because of players like Rose, ensuring that they feel the high challenge of the environment, but most importantly, the high support of the veteran leadership,” Hayes said.
Hayes has emphasized emotional discipline throughout the camp, particularly after the physical Argentina match that sparked high tension. Wednesday’s win saw a welcome change on that front. To Hayes, the U.S.’s ability to hold its lead was “indicative of maturity.”
Having won both of its matches so far, the U.S. looks to clinch the tournament title Saturday in New Jersey. Its final opponent, Colombia, is coming off its own 1-0 win over Argentina but also lost 4-2 to Canada in its opening match.
Regardless, Hayes won’t be forgetting the USWNT’s Wednesday’s performance anytime soon.
“It was one of my favorite performances because they’re growing up,” she said.
