USWNT vs Paraguay
Photography by: Lorena Barros
The U.S. Women’s National Team opened its 2026 calendar in emphatic fashion Saturday night, rolling past Paraguay 6–0 at Dignity Health Sports Park behind a blistering second-half surge that showcased both emerging talent and growing leadership within the squad.
After a first half filled with near-misses and slightly mistimed runs, the breakthrough finally arrived in stoppage time through a debutant. Reilyn Turner, earning her first senior cap, made a perfectly timed diagonal run and calmly slid a left-footed finish inside the near post to give the Americans a deserved lead heading into the break. Turner became the 25th player in program history to score in her international debut, a moment that shifted the tone of the match entirely.
The U.S. carried that momentum straight into the second half. Ally Sentnor doubled the advantage just two minutes after the restart following a sharp combination down the left flank, and the pressure soon told again when a forced own goal pushed the lead to three. From there, the contest tilted fully in the Americans’ favor.
Trinity Rodman provided the defining moment of the night in the 56th minute. Wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, the 23-year-old brought down a perfectly weighted ball over the top and rifled a low finish into the corner. The goal — her 12th at the international level — capped a whirlwind week that included a record-setting contract extension with the Washington Spirit and her first appearance for the national team since April 2025.
Sentnor struck again moments later to complete her second career brace, chasing down a long through ball and finishing with confidence, as the goals came in rapid succession. Emma Sears rounded out the scoring in the 72nd minute, finishing off a quick counter to seal a dominant performance.
By full-time, the numbers told a lopsided story. The United States controlled 70 percent of the possession, took 19 shots, put eight on target, and allowed Paraguay no shots on goal. Goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn, earning her fifth cap, was rarely called into action.
The performance was made more notable by the youth of the lineup. The starting XI averaged just 9.6 caps, the least experienced U.S. lineup in a quarter-century. Under Emma Hayes, the emphasis on expanding the player pool continues to pay dividends, with multiple debuts and first-time contributions across the pitch.
Before kickoff, the evening also carried a sense of reflection, as the program honored Christen Press. The two-time World Cup winner and Los Angeles native concluded her international career with 155 caps and 64 goals, leaving a standard that the next generation is clearly eager to meet.
The U.S. will close out its January camp on Tuesday in Santa Barbara against Chile, continuing preparations for the SheBelieves Cup and a busy year ahead.
