The U.S. Women`s National Team (USWNT) is back on the field, concluding their summer series against Canada on Wednesday. The Stars and Stripes will face their regional rival at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., seeking a clean sweep of their three summer opponents.
The USWNT secured two dominant victories against Ireland, winning 8-0 across both matches. Head coach Emma Hayes rotated her starting lineups extensively, but the toughest challenge of this window is long-standing Concacaf adversary Canada, in the last match before the October international break.
The coaching staff is expected to field a lineup featuring more rested players for the Canada match, potentially including defender Naomi Girma and midfielder Rose Lavelle. Defenders Gisele Thompson and Kerry Abello are unavailable due to injuries sustained during training.
With the next international window not scheduled until October, Hayes and her staff are using this opportunity for final player assessments before finalizing the roster pool for future cycles. This match is a key step in planning for the 2027-28 period.
How to Watch 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 Win -154; Draw +270; Canada Win +350
Last Meeting
These two nations share a long footballing history. The USWNT holds a significant advantage, with 53 victories in 66 previous encounters. Their most recent match was during the 2024 SheBelieves Cup, which ended in a 2-2 draw in normal time (goals by Sophia Wilson for the USWNT and Adrianna Leon for Canada). The USWNT ultimately won a dramatic penalty shootout 5-4, highlighted by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher`s save and subsequent penalty conversion.
USWNT Outlook
Coach Hayes has outlined a clear timeline for squad development leading into the 2027-28 cycle. The larger player pool assessed over the past six months is expected to be reduced after the Canada match. Hayes views Canada as a top opponent, ideal for testing less experienced USWNT players.
Hayes compared Canada to other top-tier opponents: “I look at the Brazil games. I look at the Japan games, for example, tier one, opponents, tier A opponents, I think Canada are in that category. I am curious how much we have learned from playing a tier one 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.”
Hayes and her staff are also emphasizing technical and tactical improvements. She observed the team`s attacking threat against Ireland and, while acknowledging four goals was good, noted that data suggested they could have scored even more. Against Canada, coaches will evaluate player success in decision-making and executing the game plan.
Reflecting on execution, Hayes stated: “Are we getting into the right areas? Yes. Are we taking the right decision when we`re in the right areas sometimes, are we executing at the top level in the right situations? Still indifferent 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 highlighted tactical discipline: “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.”
Canada Outlook
Canada`s head coach, Casey Stoney, selected a 23-player squad for summer friendlies, including the match against the USWNT. Stoney sees these games, similar to Hayes, as crucial tests against high-level opposition.
In a statement, Stoney said: “This window is an important step forward for our group as we continue building toward our goals. 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 match will be Stoney`s first time coaching Canada against their main regional rival, although many players on the squad have significant experience facing the USWNT. Appointed in January, Stoney is still in the early phase of working with the team, and this game falls around the halfway point of the year.
Speaking last month, she reflected on her initial period: “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 the strengths of the players, rather than getting the players to adapt to something that we want to do.”
She also addressed the team`s mindset: “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
Match Prediction
Frankly, this match feels like it could end in a draw, as both coaching staffs are likely focused on evaluating players for their respective programs` future. However, draws lack the excitement of a rivalry, so hopefully, the newer players embrace the occasion.
Predicted Score: USWNT 2, Canada 1
