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Jeff Kassouf
Multiple Authors
Sophia Wilson, forward for the United States women’s national team, is nearing full fitness and may play in all three upcoming matches against Japan, according to head coach Emma Hayes.
“She’s really focusing on taking things day by day and being as present as possible, and it certainly doesn’t seem like she’s missed any time,” Hayes remarked during a press conference.
Wilson was absent for all of 2025 due to maternity leave, welcoming her daughter, Gianna “Gigi,” in September. To date, she has participated in all five matches for the Portland Thorns in the current NWSL season, starting the last two games and logging a full 90 minutes on Saturday.
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“I’m really trying to approach this with a goldfish mentality—being present in every training and match. It’s all about moving on to what’s next, taking what I need and learning from each experience,” Wilson shared last week.
Wilson’s return to USWNT training coincides with defender Tierna Davidson‘s first USWNT camp in over a year after recovering from an ACL tear.
Davidson has participated in limited minutes across four games for Gotham FC this NWSL season, all coming off the bench. Hayes indicated that Wilson is “ahead of Davidson in her recovery,” and plans for Davidson to be utilized as a substitute in the series against Japan, barring any injuries.
“I’ve discussed this with Tierna, and she’s still a bit behind, needing more minutes at this stage,” Hayes noted. “She’s been consistently training with her club, so the next step for her is to gain more regular playing time.”
Both Wilson and Davidson played pivotal roles in the USWNT’s gold medal victory at the 2024 Olympics, with Wilson netting three goals while starting all six matches, and Davidson beginning four, including in the semifinal and final.
Hayes highlighted the importance of integrating players like Wilson back into the team rhythm as they prepare for World Cup qualifiers in November.
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Sophia Wilson, Tierna Davidson are back with the USWNT
Jeff Kassouf covers the return of Sophia Wilson and Tierna Davidson to the U.S. Women’s National Team.
The USWNT is set to face Japan on Saturday in San Jose, California, followed by a rematch in Seattle on Tuesday and a third clash on April 17 near Denver.
Japan comes into this three-match series after winning the AFC Asian Cup last month, though they will be without Nils Nielsen, the coach who led them through the tournament, as the Japan Football Association has parted ways with him post-tournament.
The last encounter between the U.S. and Japan was in February 2025, where Japan secured a 2-1 victory over a U.S. team consisting of many new players during the SheBelieves Cup. Hayes mentioned her admiration for Japan’s style of play throughout her career and noted her team has improved significantly since their last matchup.
Hayes plans to field different lineups in the first two games, with the approach for the third game still undecided. No player will start more than two matches, she specified. The coach remarked that training sessions have been “intense” and swift with most players now in season.
“We’re ready for anything that comes our way,” Hayes commented. “However, we understand we’re up against a world-class team.”
“To disrupt their play, we need to be intentional in the right moments, and compared to last year’s match, holding onto the ball is crucial. Failure to do so could lead to a challenging game. We need to make effective decisions to exert the control we desire.”