The 2027 Women’s World Cup is less than a year away as the U.S. women’s national team continues to analyze the talent available. The USWNT still has to qualify for the tournament, which it will attempt to do in November at the Concacaf W Championship, but the next few months will be a prime opportunity for some of the younger players on the team to step up their game to help the USWNT become the prime contender next summer.
If the USWNT hope to win its fifth World Cup, it will need the younger players to rise to the occasion and come up huge in big moments where the pressure is at its highest. It won’t be just players working their way into the rotation to provide some much needed depth, but also players working their way into starting positions. And it could be some of those players under 23-years-old who provide that energy needed to push the United States back to the top.
We take a look at five young players whose progression could really help the USWNT next summer.
Lily Yohannes (19, midfielder)
Yohannes is a player in prime position to be considered for a starting position. Her ability to string passes together, push play forward and her growing confidence on the defensive side is a combination that could make her dangerous in multiple departments. The best USWNT currently is one with Yohannes in the starting XI. If the youngest player in the current player pool continues to improve at her current rate, that could be what Emma Hayes needs to direct this team to glory.
Ally Sentnor (22, forward)
As a forward, competition for spots is fierce. Sentnor, fresh off her move to Angel City FC, needs to step up this year and deliver for club and country. Her knack for scoring goals is one thing, but if she can improve her consistency, she can be a formidable option off the bench behind Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman. Though, she has to prove she can be effective against the best international teams in the world.
Gisele Thompson (20, defender)
On the defensive flanks, there’s no option more intriguing than Gisele Thompson. Her overlapping play, especially when sister Alyssa is on the same side of the field, can be mesmerizing. Improving on the defensive end and getting strong enough to deal with some of the great strikers and wingers in the world will be key in becoming someone who can shoulder the load on defense for the USWNT.
If she can do that along with her offensive creativity, she has some qualities that other teams can’t properly handle.
Claire Hutton (20, midfielder)
Hutton, six months ago, was someone most felt couldn’t be taken out of the lineup. She was performing at such a high level and the team was better with her on the field. Since her move to Bay FC, it feels like she’s entering a new style of play, but on the national team she has to be the rock.
Whether it’s her alone as a defensive midfielder or alongside a Sam Coffey, Hutton has to bring the vision and creativity to help push the attack forward while being the first line of defense when the ball goes the other way. Her improvement to a fierce world class player could be the biggest boost to the USWNT’s chances.
Jordyn Bugg (20, defender)
In defense, Bugg has the biggest opportunity to go from fringe USWNT player to the World Cup roster. With Emily Sonnett out with a ruptured patellar tendon at least until early 2027, Bugg has a true chance to play her way into Hayes’s plans. If she wants to play along the back line, she will have to consistently shut down the best scorers. She could have a chance to show what she can do while Sonnett is out, but she needs to make the most of that opportunity.
