Why is the USWNT Ranked So…

In life and awards voting, timing plays a critical role, especially in our ESPN FC Women’s Rank.

This season unveils numerous inquiries surrounding award considerations, notably: How does the U.S. women’s national team—champions of four World Cups, reigning Olympic victors for a record fifth time, and the world’s second-ranked team—find itself with limited representation atop various year-end player lists?

This question reflects American-centric thinking, as the wider context remains heavily Eurocentric. Coupled with the absence of prominent USWNT forwards this year, it partly elucidates why Americans are underrepresented in discussions regarding the world’s elite players, including ESPN’s top 50.

While seven Americans made the Women’s Rank list, none are even close to being recognized as the world’s top player. Emily Fox, playing an often-overlooked fullback position, ranks as the highest American at No. 23, having played a vital role in Arsenal‘s UEFA Champions League victory in May—a notably European connection. Additionally, Fox secured the highest American position in the final Ballon d’Or voting, finishing 25th.

How is it possible that such a skilled, deep, and relatively dominant team lacks representation among the top five or ten players globally in these awards, including ESPN’s top 50?

Constructive criticism can be directed at the voters regarding their potential biases. Voters typically favor star players, particularly those who score goals, which were notably absent from the USWNT this year. There’s an undeniable bias toward players who are more visible through accessible leagues such as the NWSL and major European leagues.

I served on ESPN’s voting panel and have been involved in Best FIFA award decisions for over a decade. Specifically, for the Best FIFA award, voting occurs only after a committee proposes a limited shortlist. I recall my frustration in 2014 when Kim Little, the NWSL MVP, was not even on the ballot despite being, in my eyes, the best player globally. Nevertheless, ESPN’s ballot allows write-in votes if any players were overlooked.

Voter decisions are often influenced by the major international tournaments held in a given year and the countries that participate. The Americans typically need a World Cup or Olympics to catapult to the forefront of these rankings. Megan Rapinoe remains the last American to clinch the Ballon d’Or, winning in 2019 following an extraordinary performance at the World Cup, where she earned the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and a winner’s medal.

Last summer’s significant event was the European Championship, widely acknowledged globally. Continental championships in Africa and South America took place concurrently but garnered less attention, despite being just as thrilling (notably, Brazil defeating Colombia 5-4 in a nail-biting shootout after an intense eight-goal match was memorable.)

Thus, it’s no surprise Europe once again dominated the awards circuit—strikingly so with FIFA’s Best XI, composed entirely of players from Spain and England, who faced off in the Euro 2025 final. The ESPN FC Women’s Rank featured nine players from Spain and eight from England.

That said, this discourse is not a zero-sum game. Spain and England both possess world-class talent. As the reigning World Cup champions, Spain continues to produce players with exceptional technical skills and tactical acumen that captivate even casual onlookers. They field an entire lineup of elite players.

The same can be said, in part, for the USWNT. However, the transitional phase the national team is undergoing significantly influences players’ global rankings at this moment. For the first time since ESPN initiated its top 50 rankings, there are no Americans in the top 20, although the U.S. does have seven players on the list—just behind England’s count. The USWNT features world-class talents, but absence of established names has created room for the next generation to emerge.

Forwards Sophia Wilson (No. 5 last year) and Mallory Swanson (No. 15 last year) did not engage in any competitive play while expecting the births of their first children. Meanwhile, Trinity Rodman, the other star from the 2024 Olympic gold-winning trio, missed about half the year due to injuries. Still, Rodman managed to secure No. 37 in our rankings, indicating her strong impact when fit, even as she slipped from No. 8 last year.

These three players represent some of the most likely candidates from the U.S. to capture global attention, knowing that international voters may not track every match closely. Unfortunately, two members of this trio were completely absent from the field, and one played sparingly throughout the past year.

Additionally, missing for most of the year was defender Naomi Girma, regarded highly by USWNT head coach Emma Hayes, who called her “the best defender I’ve ever seen.” Girma was ranked No. 2 on ESPN’s list last year but saw her playing time severely limited due to persistent calf issues, explaining her absence this year.

Rose Lavelle also had what could be considered her best NWSL season yet, but she began the year recovering from ankle surgery, which detracted from her ranking of No. 32—though her second-half performance was certainly deserving of a higher placement.

Such absences contributed to a year defined by experimentation for the USWNT—the most significant in its 40-year history. Hayes awarded 27 first caps across 30 matches, indicating a year of significant rotation and experimentation, where even top players were not consistently featured. This was compounded by the fact that the Americans did not participate in any official competitions in 2025.

Nevertheless, there were standout performers. Forward Alyssa Thompson demonstrated MVP-caliber talent with Angel City, leading to a high-profile transfer to Chelsea, which could elevate her visibility and development further. This achievement earned her a spot at No. 43 on our list.

Midfielder Sam Coffey played a crucial role for both the USWNT and the Portland Thorns. As one general manager noted in our anonymous NWSL GM survey, had Coffey been Spanish, she might have ranked among the top five for the Ballon d’Or; she currently holds the No. 28 spot in our rankings this year.

The timing for the USWNT is crucial and cannot be overlooked. With their three standout players from the Olympics largely absent during the award considerations and the team employing a diverse lineup in friendly matches, the state of play for the USWNT is clearly in flux.

However, this does not imply a lack of talent within the USWNT. From established stars like Coffey, Fox, and Lavelle to emerging talents like midfielder Lily Yohannes, exceptional talent exists within the ranks. Fair or not, it may require another impressive World Cup in 2027 for the global soccer community to fully recognize this potential.