The U.S. Women`s National Team (USWNT) returns to action, facing Canada on Wednesday to conclude their summer schedule. The match against their longtime regional rival will be held at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The USWNT hopes to cap off this window with a third consecutive win.
The USWNT recently secured two commanding victories against Ireland, outscoring them 8-0. Head coach Emma Hayes used entirely different starting lineups for each match. However, the main challenge of this period is facing Canada, a long-standing Concacaf adversary, in the final game before October`s international window.
The coaching staff is expected to select players who had more rest for the Canada match, potentially including defender Naomi Girma and midfielder Rose Lavelle. Defenders Gisele Thompson and Kerry Abello are not available, having left training camp due to injuries.
With the next international window not until October, Hayes and her staff are using this match for final player evaluations before making decisions about the player pool moving forward. The goal is to transition into the next phase of planning for the 2027-28 cycle.
How to Watch USWNT and Odds
- Date: Wednesday, July 2
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Audi Field — Washington D.C.
- TV: TNT
- Live stream: Max
- Odds: USA -154; Draw +270; Canada +350
Last Meeting
These two teams share a deep history. The USWNT holds a significant lead with 53 wins against their continental rivals in 66 previous encounters. Their most recent clash was during the 2024 SheBelieves Cup. The match ended 2-2 after regular time, with goals from the USWNT`s Sophia Wilson and Canada`s Adrianna Leon, requiring penalties to decide the winner. The shootout was dramatic, featuring former goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher saving a penalty and then scoring one herself. The USWNT ultimately won the shootout 5-4.
What the USWNT is Saying
Coach Hayes has been clear about her timeline for squad development leading up to the 2027-28 cycle. The expanded player pool used over the past six months is likely to be reduced after the Canada match. Hayes regards Canada as a top team, capable of challenging the USWNT`s less experienced players.
“I look at the Brazil games, I look at the Japan games, for example, Tier 1 opponents, Tier A opponents. I think Canada are in that category,” Hayes stated. “I am curious how much we have learned from playing a Tier 1 opponent… I think we have an opportunity to show how much we’ve closed the gap on the details, and not just six or seven senior players. I mean, more numbers being able to do that.”
The manager and her staff are also focusing on improving the team`s tactical and technical aspects. While she noted the team looked dangerous against Ireland and scoring four goals was commendable, data suggested there could have been more. Against Canada, she and the coaching staff will assess player success in decision-making and executing game plans.
“Are we getting into the right areas? Yes,” she said. “Are we making the right decision when we’re in the right areas sometimes? Are we executing at the top level in the right situations? Still inconsistent for me. I still feel there is another level to close the gap for the volume of opportunities we get and converting them.”
She also emphasized the balance between movement and structure: “Movement is important in the game to disrupt an opponent, but you have to maintain structures to minimize the impact the opponent can have in the opposite direction. And Canada are very good in their transitions, and if you give them too much transition space, they have pace to hurt you. So I think we need to get those details right, but this is really about improving all the things I`ve just previously mentioned, but those are one or two that I think can be next steps.”
What Canada is Saying
Head coach Casey Stoney named a 23-player roster for summer friendlies against Costa Rica and the USWNT. Stoney views these matches similarly to Hayes – as a benchmark for how her squad performs against top competition.
“This window is an important step forward for our group as we continue building toward our goals,” she commented. “We step up to a world-class challenge against the world’s top-ranked team, the USA, which is exactly where we want to be.”
This will be Stoney`s first time coaching Canada against this top regional rival, although many players on her roster have significant experience facing the USWNT. Stoney is still early in her tenure, having been appointed head coach in January.
“I think, first probably five months, really have been about exploring, about getting to know the players, getting to know the staff, understanding the skill sets of what we’ve got available, making sure the team plays to the strengths of the players, rather than getting the players to adapt to something that we want to do,” she said last month.
She also spoke about rebuilding trust within the team: “I’ve got to be honest, the first two camps, at least, has been about building trust in coaching and the technical team. I think the players lost trust over the last year, which is absolutely understandable. I’m coming in as a foreign person into a national team that, you know, I genuinely have a desire to do well for. It’s a privilege and an honor to represent this team. And what I’ve gotten to know is there’s some incredible people, some incredible talent, and if we can, just fine-tune things, we can give the players the right tools to be able to be successful, then we can go up a gear.”
Predicted Lineups
USWNT: Mandy McGlynn, Avery Patterson, Emily Sonnett, Naomi Girma, Lily Reale, Sam Coffey, Rose Lavelle, Ally Sentnor, Michelle Cooper, Alyssa Thompson
Canada: Kalien Sheridan, Ashley Lawrence, Jade Rose, Vanessa Giles, Gabrielle Carle, Julia Grosso, Jesse Flemming, Simi Awujo, Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Janine Sonis, Evelyne Viens
Prediction
Frankly, this match has the feel of a potential draw, as both coaching staffs seem eager to use it as a key moment for their programs. However, draws aren`t as exciting in a rivalry. Let`s hope the newer faces on both sides step up and make it an entertaining game.
Pick: USWNT 2, Canada 1
Dominic Ashworth