Welcome to a new weekly feature from Sports Illustrated that analyzes the women’s soccer weekend from a U.S. women’s national team perspective.
For the run-up to the 2027 Women’s World Cup, this will be your go-to place to stay in the know on those who impressed USWNT manager Emma Hayes, those who raised their stock for the next roster call-up and those who could fall out of favor for roster selection due to poor form or injury.
With just eight months until World Cup qualifiers get underway for next summer’s tournament in Brazil, the battle to stay on the USWNT roster is heating up. First up, under the microscope is Matchweek 2 in the NWSL. This is likely the last matchweek before Hayes announces her USWNT roster for next month’s three friendlies against Japan on April 11, 14 and 17.
