The U.S. Women’s National Team kicks off its 2025 campaign in Houston, Texas, facing Colombia on the opening day of the SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa. After winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the USWNT returns to competitive play with an evolving roster under head coach Emma Hayes.
Here's what you need to know ahead of USA vs. Colombia at Shell Energy Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT (TBS, Universo, Max, Peacock).
NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGE
While the USWNT held a January training camp for senior players in Florida alongside a Futures Camp to evaluate up-and-coming talent, this will be the team’s first match of 2025.
The U.S. has dominated this tournament historically, winning seven of the previous nine editions. This year’s competition features Colombia, Australia, and Japan—three teams that all reached at least the quarterfinals at the last World Cup or Olympics. The U.S. is also perfect in Houston historically, with a 13-0-0 record in Houston and is 10-0-0 at Shell Energy Stadium.
USA VS. COLOMBIA: SERIES HISTORY
The USWNT has faced Colombia 13 times and holds an 11-0-2 record in the series. Their most recent meeting came in the Concacaf W Gold Cup quarterfinals in March 2024, where the U.S. secured a 3-0 win behind goals from Lindsey Heaps (formerly Horan), Jenna Nighswonger, and Jaedyn Shaw.
Colombia has proven to be a rising force in women's soccer, reaching the quarterfinals of both the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. In the Olympics, they finished third in their group and battled Spain to a 2-2 draw before exiting on penalties.
The most recent matches between the teams before the W Gold Cup clash came in October of 2023 when the teams played to a 0-0 draw in Utah before the U.S. responded with a 3-0 win in San Diego three days later. The two nations also met recently at the youth level in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup last October, where the U.S. earned a commanding 2-0 win in the group stage and would go on to eventually secure bronze.
INSIDE THE ROSTER
Emma Hayes’ first official squad of 2025 introduces a mix of fresh faces, key returns, and milestone moments:
- Gisele and Alyssa Thompson become just the third sister duo in USWNT history to be called up together, following Lorrie and Ronnie Fair (1997) and Sam and Kristie Mewis (2021 Olympics).
- Jane Campbell has spent her entire professional career with the Houston Dash, and her international journey is closely tied to the city. She earned her senior USWNT debut in Houston in 2017, coming on in a 5-1 win over Russia. A year later, she made her first start for the U.S. in the same venue, backstopping a 6-2 victory against Mexico—a match best remembered for Carli Lloyd’s 100th international goal.
- 2022 Visa SheBelieves Cup MVP Catarina Macario returns after withdrawing from the 2024 Olympic roster due to lingering knee soreness. Two players–Lindsey Heaps (formerly Horan) and Lynn Biyendolo (formerly Williams)–will play for the U.S. Women’s National Team under their married names for the first time.
- Before the match, Emily Sonnett will be honored for her 100th cap, a milestone she reached on October 24th, 2024 in Austin, Texas against Iceland. This marks her 10th SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa–more than any other player. Crystal Dunn (9) and Lindsey Heaps (8) add to their tournament resumes.
- With Alyssa Naeher retiring from international soccer, Jane Campbell and Mandy McGlynn step up in goal.
- Ally Sentnor, the 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, earns her first tournament roster spot after debuting vs. England at Wembley Stadium at the end of last year. With Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, Rose Lavelle and Naomi Girma unavailable, a new wave of talent looks to make an impact in the identity of the team.
NEW TALENT ON THE RISE
With an average age of 24.9 years and 33.2 caps per player, the USWNT’s SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa roster features a promising mix of experience and youth. Three teenagers—Lily Yohannes (17), Claire Hutton (19), and Gisele Thompson (19)—are on the roster. Hutton and Michelle Cooper, both of the Kansas City Current, earned their first senior USWNT call-ups after strong showings at January’s Futures Camp.
Yohannes, a rising star at Ajax, signed professionally at 15 and committed to the U.S. in November 2024. She made her senior debut last year, scoring against Korea Republic and now looks to make her SheBelieves Cup, presented by Visa debut after being on the roster in 2024 but not featuring. Ally Sentnor, the 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year, also joins after earning her first two caps in matches against England and the Netherlands to close out 2024.
SCOUTING COLOMBIA
Colombia has been steadily climbing the world rankings over the years, currently sitting at No. 21 in FIFA’s latest update. Head coach Ángelo Marsiglia continues to refine a possession-based 4-3-3 system made up of domestic, European and NWSL talent.
Key players to watch:
- Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid): The 19-year-old superstar is Colombia’s biggest offensive threat, capable of dribbling past entire defenses and creating magic in the final third.
- Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea): A powerful, relentless forward who can hold up play and drive at defenders with pace.
- Leicy Santos (Washington Spirit): A creative playmaker in midfield, thriving after her first NWSL season with Washington.
- Ana María Guzmán (Utah Royals FC): Recently loaned to Utah by Bayern Munich, Guzmán is considered a teenage phenom and a key piece in the future of Colombia’s squad.
Colombia’s recent results include a 1-1 draw and a 3-1 loss to Brazil, plus a penalty shootout defeat to Argentina. They’ll be eager to test themselves against the reigning Olympic champions.
COLOMBIA WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): 1-Luisa Agudelo (Deportivo Cali), 12-Katherine Tapia (Palmeiras, BRA), 13-Natalia Giraldo (America de Cali)
DEFENDERS (8): 2-Mary José Álvarez (Atlético Nacional), 3-Daniela Arias (Corinthians, BRA), 4-Ana Guzmán (Utah Royals, USA), 5-Yirleidis Minota (C.F. Pachuca, MEX), 14-Angela Barón (Racing Louisville, USA), 16-Jorelyn Carabali (Brighton & Hove Albion FC, ENG), 17-Carolina Arias (América de Cali), 22-Daniela Caracas (RCD Espanyol, ESP)
MIDFIELDERS (6): 6-Daniela Montoya (Gremio, BRA); 8-Marcela Restrepo (C.F. Monterrey, MEX), 10-Leicy Santos (Washington Spirit, USA), 11-Catalina Usme (Galatasaray SK, TUR), 20-Sara Sofia Restrepo (Atlético Nacional), 21-Maria Camila Reyes (Santa Fe)
FORWARDS (6): 7-Manuela Pavi (West Ham United FC, ENG), 9-Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea FC, ENG), 15-Wendy Candelo (Pumas UNAM, MEX), 18-Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid, ESP), 19-Karla Torres (Leicester City FC, ENG), 23-Ivonne Chacon (Levante UD, ESP)
The USWNT will take on Colombia this Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT. Fans can watch live on TBS, Universo, Max, and Peacock.
