USWNT opens 2026 with a 6–0 win over Paraguay as Trinity Rodman captains and scores

The U.S. women’s national team began its 2026 schedule with a statement performance, rolling to a 6–0 friendly win over Paraguay on Saturday, January 24, 2026, in Carson, California. The match functioned as both a result and an evaluation opportunity, with the U.S. coaching staff using the January window to test combinations and give minutes to emerging players.

Trinity Rodman captained the team and scored, adding a marquee highlight to a game that was otherwise defined by depth and pace. The U.S. broke through late in the first half, then erupted after the interval as goals arrived in quick succession and Paraguay struggled to contain repeated runs behind its back line.

Reilyn Turner opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, a notable moment for a player making her debut start. In the second half, Ally Sentnor scored twice as the U.S. increased its tempo and made Paraguay defend for extended stretches. A Paraguay own goal added to the margin, and the U.S. continued pressing for additional chances rather than managing the scoreline.

Rodman’s goal came amid a lively second-half spell in which the U.S. generated repeated opportunities through wide areas and central cutbacks. Her return to a leadership role drew attention, but the broader performance suggested the roster has multiple attackers ready to contribute, a positive sign as the program builds toward upcoming tournaments and qualification cycles.

The match also had a reflective note, with recognition for retired forward Christen Press, whose national team career remains among the program’s most decorated. That context made the night feel like both a new start and a continuation, as the team blends established stars with younger players competing for roles.

From a tactical standpoint, the U.S. controlled possession and consistently forced turnovers high up the field, limiting Paraguay’s ability to settle. The lopsided scoreline reflected not only finishing but also sustained pressure that kept Paraguay pinned in its defensive third for long stretches.

The U.S. will take the result as encouragement, but the larger goal of the January camp remains experimentation: building chemistry, measuring player readiness, and identifying who can carry minutes when the schedule intensifies later in 2026. If this opener is an indication, the team’s attacking depth may be a defining advantage in the months ahead.