The United States women's national team won the SheBelieves Cup on Saturday, defeating Colombia 1-0 to claim their eighth title in the tournament. Alyssa Thompson scored the only goal in the 81st minute, firing an inch-perfect shot into the upper corner for her fourth international goal. The victory capped a dominant tournament for Emma Hayes' side, who did not concede a single goal across three matches against Argentina, Canada, and Colombia.
The USWNT have now gone 804 minutes without conceding, a stretch that highlights their defensive solidity and growing control in games. Hayes praised her bench after the final, saying: 'Sometimes you win a match in the opening 60 minutes. Tonight was one where we won from our bench. We have wanted to continue developing talent, that is something I have said since I've been here.' The depth of the squad was evident, with several players stepping up in key moments.
Hayes has built a deep player pool as the team prepares for next summer's World Cup in Brazil. Key partnerships have emerged, such as Emily Fox and Trinity Rodman on the right flank, and Naomi Girma with defensive midfielder Sam Coffey providing stability. In attack, Thompson, Jaedyn Shaw, Ally Sentnor, and Emma Sears have become regular options, offering variety against low-block defences.
However, some positions remain open competitions. The centre-back partner for Girma is still undecided, with Emily Sonnett and Tara Rudd getting significant minutes. At full-back, Avery Patterson has impressed, while Lilly Reale, Maddie Dahlien, and Gisele Thompson have all featured. Goalkeeper is also up for grabs, with Claudia Dickey and Phallon Tullis-Joyce sharing duties, though neither was heavily tested.
The midfield showed improved cohesion, with Hayes leaving captain Lindsey Horan on the bench for the tougher matches. Claire Hutton and Sam Coffey formed a solid double pivot against Canada, while Lily Yohannes offered creativity alongside Coffey against Colombia. Rose Lavelle has also enjoyed a consistent run as a number 10, providing incisive passing and set-piece delivery. The USWNT managed only four goals in the tournament, and concerns about striker depth persist, though a solution may be imminent with Sophia Wilson returning.
