The United States Women's National Team

The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) isn’t just a soccer squad—they’re America’s sports royalty. With 4 World Cups, 5 Olympic golds (and a whole lotta swagger), they’re also one of the shining legacies among all soccer teams in the world. These women are known for changing not just the game, on and off the field, but helping women's sports evolve significantly. From Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach to Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, their legends' names read like a who’s-who of soccer greatness. Since the team's dawn, they were not just out there playing—they’re making a statement, inspiring generations, and proving that when it comes to women’s soccer, the U.S. is the top dog. Now, they have stepped into a new era, a bunch of promising young talents under coach Emma Hayes, and let's delve deeper.

Brief History

In 1985, the U.S. Soccer Federation took a shot at women’s international soccer, sending a team of college players, led by coach Mike Ryan, to the Mundialito tournament in Italy. It was a rough start—they lost 1–0 to Italy in their debut and finished in fourth without winning a match. But this marked the beginning of something big.

By 1986, things got serious when the federation hired Anson Dorrance, UNC’s head coach, as the first full-time USWNT coach. Dorrance aimed to make the U.S. competitive on the global stage, and under his leadership, the team made real progress. They defeated China, Brazil, and Japan in the 1986 Mundialito, finally finishing as runners-up to Italy. Dorrance wasn’t afraid to take risks; he brought on young, future legends like Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Kristine Lilly, and also called up Kim Crabbe, the team’s first African-American player.

By 1988, the USWNT was making waves, reaching the quarterfinals of FIFA’s Women’s Invitation Tournament in China. Though they lost to Norway, this early run laid the groundwork for the team’s future dominance. The journey had just begun for a team that would go on to make history.

In 1988, after a promising tournament in China, FIFA announced plans for the first Women’s World Cup. The gals wasted no time getting in shape, qualifying by crushing their way through the CONCACAF Championship in Haiti, scoring 49 goals without a single one against them.

To prep, players quit their day jobs, trained full-time for peanuts, and faced off against European squads. Under Coach Anson Dorrance’s 4-3-3 formation, with Michelle Akers, Carin Jennings, and April Heinrichs leading the attack, they were ready to make waves.

The 1991 World Cup was a smashing debut. The U.S. dominated the group stage, with wins over Sweden, Brazil, and Japan. In the quarterfinals, Akers dazzled with five goals in a 7-0 win over Chinese Taipei. They beat Germany in the semis with Jennings’ hat trick, then edged out Norway 2-1 in the final with Akers scoring twice, clinching the inaugural World Cup title. Despite their success, the team got a quiet welcome home, with little fanfare from the U.S. Soccer Federation.

After some hiatus, the team returned, winning gold in the 1996 Olympics and lighting up the world with their 1999 World Cup shootout win against China, solidifying their role as trailblazers for women’s sports in America.

Then, the 21st century came, with the team stepping into a whole new ball game.

In the 2003 Women’s World Cup, the U.S. edged out Norway 1-0 in the quarters but hit a wall with a tough 3-0 loss to Germany in the semis. They bounced back, though, beating Canada 3-1 to claim third place, with Abby Wambach as top scorer and Joy Fawcett and Shannon Boxx on the all-star team. The 2004 Olympics marked Hamm and Foudy’s final showdown, capped by a thrilling 2-1 extra-time win over Brazil, thanks to Wambach’s golden goal.

In 2007, the U.S. sailed past England 3-0 in the quarters but then faced a historic 4-0 loss to Brazil in the semis, recovering to beat Norway for third. Wambach again led in scoring, while Kristine Lilly made the all-star team.

They snagged gold again in the 2008 Olympics, although excitement around the team had waned since their ’99 peak. Still, in 2009, the Women's Professional Soccer League kicked off, bringing new life to the sport.

Now, if you know USWNT, you would agree that the 2010s were the most notable decade in the team's history.

In 2011, the U.S. grabbed a spot in sports history with a World Cup quarterfinal thriller against Brazil, tying it up 2-2 in the 122nd minute with Abby Wambach’s iconic header. They won 5-3 in the shootout, only to lose the final to Japan. Despite the loss, Hope Solo earned the best goalkeeper, and Wambach took the Silver Ball.

The 2012 Olympics were redemption time: they won gold against Japan, 2-1, in front of 80,203 fans at Wembley, setting an Olympic women’s soccer record. In 2015, the U.S. claimed their third World Cup title, dominating Japan 5-2 in the final, highlighted by Carli Lloyd’s record-breaking 16-minute hat trick. They celebrated with the first-ever ticker-tape parade for a women’s team in NYC and a White House visit.

The 2016 Olympics brought disappointment with a quarterfinal loss to Sweden in penalties, their earliest exit ever. But, the team bounced back with the SheBelieves Cup and Tournament of Nations wins in 2018, entered the 2019 World Cup on fire, and claimed their fourth title with a 2-0 final win over the Netherlands.

Coach Jill Ellis stepped down in 2019, and Vlatko Andonovski took the reins. The USWNT started the 2020s with a bang, winning both the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament and SheBelieves Cup before the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the Olympics to 2021. When play resumed, they lost to Sweden, snapping a 44-game unbeaten streak but ultimately took home Olympic bronze after a 4-3 win over Australia.

In 2022, they clinched their ninth CONCACAF title, earning spots in the 2023 World Cup, 2024 Olympics, and CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, a 71-game home streak ended with a November loss to Germany.

At the 2023 World Cup, the U.S. barely survived the group stage but was eliminated by Sweden on penalties in the Round of 16, marking their earliest exit from a major tournament. Following this, head coach Andonovski resigned, leaving Twila Kilgore as interim. The team’s ranking also dropped to an all-time low of third, signaling a major shift in U.S. women’s soccer dominance. But, there was a new era waiting for them.

In 2024, the USWNT kicked off a new era under the leadership of Emma Hayes, who stepped in as head coach, bringing fresh strategies and an energetic vision to the team. The squad was determined to reclaim its gold standard, and they did just that at the Paris Olympics, clinching gold in a thrilling final against Brazil, proving they still had it in them. And fingers crossed- the best is yet to come because they've just begun!

Be that as it may, the last two years were bittersweet, as it marked the end of an era. Legends like Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan, stalwarts of the team for over a decade, and other iconic players, including Christen Press, hung up their cleats, leaving behind a legacy of excellence. Their contributions to the sport transformed women's soccer, inspiring countless young athletes across the country.

The Fight for Equality

Beyond the trophies, the USWNT has taken on some of the toughest battles off the field. In recent years, the team has been at the forefront of the fight for equal pay and fair treatment in sports. High-profile players, led by names like Rapinoe, Morgan, and Becky Sauerbrunn, went toe-to-toe with the U.S. Soccer Federation to secure equal pay for themselves and future generations. The battle wasn’t just for themselves but for every young girl who dreams of a soccer career.

After years of legal battles and public debate, the team finally reached a landmark agreement with U.S. Soccer in 2022, a victory that made waves across the sports world. Today, the USWNT isn’t just a team—they’re a movement, pushing for equality and inspiring athletes across all sports.

Endorsements and Publicity Powerhouses

The USWNT isn’t just about winning games—they’re also a brand, with players bringing in endorsements from Nike, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, and other top-tier brands. Stars like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have scored huge deals, making them not just soccer stars but mainstream icons. Rapinoe, with her outspoken personality and activism, has become a spokesperson for everything from inclusivity to self-confidence, while Morgan’s image as a driven, hard-working athlete has resonated with fans and brands alike. Also, shoutout to little Charlie (Alex Morgan's daughter) who became the team's cutest cheerleader!

The team’s social media presence is just as influential, as players regularly share glimpses of their lives, training routines, and advocacy efforts. They’ve cultivated a massive, loyal fanbase who don’t just root for them on game day—they follow along every step of the way, from World Cup victories to everyday life. We don't know what all the gals including the Triple Espresso with C0ach Hayes are gonna accomplish, but we know it's going to be epic!

Current Roster

Head Coach: Emma Hayes

Captain: Lindsey Horan

Goalkeepers:

Jane Campbell (Houston Dash)
Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage)
Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

Defenders:

Emily Fox (Arsenal)
Eva Gaetino (Paris Saint-Germain)
Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave)
Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit)
Hailie Mace (Kansas City Current)
Alyssa Malonson (Bay FC)
Jenna Nighswonger (Gotham FC)
Emily Sams (Orlando Pride)
Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC)

Midfielders:

Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain)
Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns)
Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit)
Lindsey Horan (Lyon)
Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC)
Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns)
Ashley Sanchez (North Carolina Courage)

Forwards:

Yazmeen Ryan (Gotham FC)
Emma Sears (Racing Louisville)
Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave)
Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns)
Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)