USWNT opens 2026 with 6–0 friendly rout of Paraguay as Trinity Rodman captains and scores
The U.S. women’s national team began its 2026 slate with a dominant friendly win over Paraguay in Carson, California, featuring a first-time captain performance from Trinity Rodman and goals from multiple young attackers.
The United States women’s national soccer team launched its 2026 schedule in emphatic fashion, rolling past Paraguay 6–0 in a friendly played in Carson, California. The match highlighted both established stars and emerging talent, while also serving as an early benchmark for how the squad is evolving under coach Emma Hayes.
Trinity Rodman wore the captain’s armband and punctuated her leadership role by scoring during a prolific second half. Her goal came amid a surge in U.S. attacking production after the team broke through just before halftime, turning a controlled performance into a rout.
The scoring opened in first-half stoppage time when Reilyn Turner found the net in what was described as a major milestone moment—her debut goal at the international level. The United States then accelerated after the break, scoring repeatedly as Paraguay struggled to cope with quick combinations and sustained pressure.
Ally Sentnor struck twice, adding to the sense that the U.S. attack has depth and variety beyond familiar names. The match also included an own goal by Paraguay and a late finish by Emma Sears, rounding out a multi-scorer performance that coaches often value in early-season camps.
From a tactical standpoint, the U.S. controlled possession and generated a wide shot advantage, consistently forcing Paraguay into deep defending and limiting transition chances the other way. Friendlies can be imperfect measuring sticks, but dominance in territory and chance creation can still provide useful signals about fitness, cohesion, and player roles.
The game also carried an emotional tone, with recognition for Christen Press, who retired in 2025. Such moments can shape the feel of a camp, linking the program’s recent history with its next cycle.
The U.S. will treat the result as an encouraging start rather than a final verdict, with tougher tests ahead as the calendar progresses. Still, the combination of a clean sheet, multiple goal scorers, and a confident first match of 2026 is the kind of foundation teams hope to build on early in a year.