Forward Sophia Wilson and defender Tierna Davidson will return to the United States women’s national team this month for the first time in over a year.
Each player was announced on Wednesday as part of USWNT head coach Emma Hayes’ 26-player roster.
The USWNT will play Japan three times in a week from April 11-17.
“I have of course remained in contact with [Wilson] and we spoke regularly, and this absolutely feels like the right time,” Hayes told reporters in a virtual news conference.
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“Not just because she’s playing again at a high level, but I think it’s really important for us to start getting these players like Soph back into a rhythm in preparation for the World Cup qualifiers.”
The 25-year-old Wilson last played for the United States in late 2024 after scoring three goals at the Olympics to help the Americans win the gold medal.
She missed the entire 2025 NWSL season on maternity leave and gave birth to her first child in September.
Wilson, who has 24 goals in 58 caps for the USWNT, has played in all four games for the Portland Thorns thus far this NWSL season, making her first start on Saturday.
Her return reunites her with forward Trinity Rodman, another member of the self-proclaimed “Triple Espresso” front line that helped the USWNT win a fifth Olympic gold medal.
Mallory Swanson, the third member of that group, remains on maternity leave after missing all of 2025.
Those three players combined for 10 of the USWNT’s 12 goals at the 2024 Olympics.
Davidson last played for the USWNT in February 2025. She tore her ACL at the beginning of the 2025 NWSL season.
Davidson returned to the field for Gotham at the start of the 2026 NWSL season, playing 74 minutes over three matches so far.
The left-footed center-back has 67 caps for the USWNT and was part of the 2019 World Cup-winning team.
Davidson also started four of the six games at the 2024 Olympics, including the semifinal and final following a brief injury scare mid-tournament.
“What a long journey she’s been on,” Hayes said about Davidson. “[She’s] shown once again not just her resilience but her determination to bring her back to a great level. … I am super excited for lots of reasons.
“She’s a great player, but she’s such a brilliant person. She’s a deep thinker and someone who challenges me. And I enjoy her company. I’m really, really looking forward to bringing her back in.”
Both players will be on minutes restrictions for the three matches against Japan, Hayes said, meaning further opportunities for Jameese Joseph and Ally Sentnor up top.
After widespread experimentation in her first full year in charge — 32 players made their international debut in Hayes’ first 32 games in charge, by far a record — Hayes has called up a roster without an uncapped player for the second straight camp.
The USWNT won the SheBelieves Cup in March, defeating Argentina, Canada and Colombia.
One addition from that previous roster is the return of goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who has been excellent for the Houston Dash to start the 2026 NWSL season.
Campbell, with 10 caps, is still the most experienced goalkeeper on the roster despite ostensibly being the No. 3 in the group.
Jaedyn Shaw will join the team in training camp despite recent limitations with Gotham FC due to a hamstring injury.
Hayes said that Shaw should be ready to start one of the games against Japan.
“When you are trying to build connections between the players, it’s a team — and we have to keep that team or at least the core of that team together for as long as possible so that they build up not just the relationships off the pitch, but on the field,” Hayes said.
“For me, that’s of a higher order. Sometimes I am going to have to take decisions like I am doing this camp, with Tierna, with Jaedyn.”
Six players who were on the SheBelieves Cup roster are absent from this USWNT roster, several due at least in part to injuries.
Japan will pose a stiff test for the USWNT, especially with the teams meeting in such quick succession.
The Nadeshiko won the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup last month, defeating hosts Australia 1-0 in the final and outscoring opponents 29-1 across the tournament.
The United States and Japan will play on April 11 in San Jose, California; on April 14 in Seattle; and on April 17 outside Denver.
Hayes said she will play one squad in two of the games, and another squad in the other as she rotates players and develops the playing pool.
“Look, we can focus on results and those things, and of course I want to win football matches, but it’s not my primary motivation today,” she said.
“My primary motivation is can I get exposure for players… “This is a fantastic test. They are champions of Asia. They are easily one of the best teams in the world.
“They have a group that has developed together. They’ve got more than 17 players playing in the WSL. I think this is, without question, one of the favorites to win the World Cup.”
USWNT Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals) 2026 April Matches vs. Japan
GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash, 10), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 8), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 6)
DEFENDERS (9): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC; 67/3), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 74/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 52/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 10/1), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 7/0), Emily Sams (Angel City FC: 9/1), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 115/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 7/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 4/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City, ENG; 44/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 173/39), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 15/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 118/27), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 15/5), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 34/10), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 16/1)
FORWARDS (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 10/1), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 4/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 52/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 17/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 18/7), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 29/4), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns FC; 58/24)
