The U.S. Women’s National Team captured their eighth SheBelieves Cup title on Saturday night, delivering a commanding performance at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The tournament victory highlighted Alyssa Thompson’s decisive contributions and solid defensive efforts, although some questions remain regarding the team’s midfield dynamics and the goalkeeping depth.
Emma Hayes’ squad defeated Argentina, Canada, and Colombia with a perfect record, achieving three clean sheets and extending their consecutive shutout streak to seven matches. The USWNT’s defensive resilience was a cornerstone of their success, while offensive sparks came from rising stars like Alyssa and Gisele Thompson.
Alyssa Thompson’s Game-Winning Goal Seals Title, Boosting Her Rising Profile
Twenty-one-year-old forward Alyssa Thompson delivered the tournament’s standout moment by scoring the decisive late goal against Colombia, clinching the championship for the U.S. team. Thompson has been thriving on both sides of the Atlantic this season, having recently earned the Women’s Young Player of the Year award at the London Football Awards after netting six goals for Chelsea.
Her consistent performances across all three matches of the tournament impressed head coach Emma Hayes, signaling Thompson’s growing reliability in high-pressure situations.
The consistency in her play is standout for me,
Hayes said following the team’s victory.
Being able to do things over 90 minutes and do it game after game – including a clutch moment like today.
Despite her early success, Thompson remains focused on improvement, especially in decision-making within the final third of the pitch.
I think decisions in the final third,
Thompson remarked when discussing areas for growth.
I do get in there a lot, so being able to make the right decisions – getting more assists, more goals, just stuff like that.
Gisele Thompson Impresses with Versatile Defensive Play
Younger sister Gisele Thompson made two starts during the SheBelieves Cup, stepping up as a speedy outside back against challenging opponents such as Argentina and Canada. Despite her smaller stature, she adeptly filled roles on both the right and left sides of the defense, contributing solid, near-flawless performances that earned praise from coach Emma Hayes.
Gisele has been playing as a right back. We know she’s played as a left back before, and coming into the game, I was really excited about that potential,
Hayes commented on Gisele’s adaptability.
One of the tournament’s highlights was when both Thompson sisters started on the same flank against Canada, a dynamic Hayes valued for the unique bond it brought to the team.
Because I used to play football with my sister, there’s nothing better than feeling like your sister’s in front of you or behind you,
Hayes explained.
You’re going to work twice as hard to make sure you’re successful. I’m just really proud of them as siblings.
Alyssa echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the confidence she gains knowing Gisele supports her on the field.
I know that she has my back in anything that I do,
Alyssa said.
If she’s running up, I can pass it to her. I feel like we create different threats for teams, and you can’t just mark one of us. I believe in her so much – I think she’s amazing.
Midfield Performance: Olivia Moultrie Maintains Tempo but Faces Intense Competition
While the USWNT’s trophy run featured predominantly strong showings, midfielder Olivia Moultrie experienced a less prominent tournament in a highly competitive midfield rotation. Though appearing in all three matches, her role focused on sustaining the game’s tempo rather than actively influencing momentum shifts.
At 19, Moultrie contributed effectively to maintaining rhythm as a substitute, an approach prioritizing consistency to avoid disrupting the team’s flow during transitions. Head coach Emma Hayes has highlighted the importance of players who preserve rhythm over those who dramatically change it mid-game.
As the USWNT prepares for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Moultrie faces the challenge of elevating her impact amid a midfield pool that includes players such as Lindsey Heaps, Sam Coffey, Rose Lavelle, Claire Hutton, and Lily Yohannes.
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s Quiet Performances Raise Questions Despite Clean Sheets
Manchester United keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce recorded two shutouts during the SheBelieves Cup, yet her overall performance sparked some reflection on her role within the team’s evolving style. Unlike Claudia Dickey, who confronted numerous saves and actively participated in ball distribution as a last defender, Tullis-Joyce faced limited shot action and appeared less commanding during key moments.
Against Canada and Colombia, she maintained clean sheets but exhibited moments of hesitation, especially in handling free kicks and corner situations, where her reaction speed and presence were less impactful.
Despite her shot-stopping ability, physical presence, and experience qualifying her as a potential No. 1 goalkeeper for the U.S., Tullis-Joyce’s style contrasts with the USWNT’s preference for quick, precise passing sequences from the back line, a characteristic where Claudia Dickey better fits.
If the matches had involved more shots on target, Tullis-Joyce might have benefited from the opportunity to demonstrate her abilities under pressure and solidify her standing within the team.
Coach Emma Hayes Reflects on the Team’s Progress and Adaptability
Though pleased with the tournament outcome, coach Emma Hayes acknowledged areas where the team’s performance varied and where continued development is needed for future success.
I think the performances in SheBelieves reflect that there were some really good moments and some not quite,
Hayes noted.
But I told the team that winning major things requires different qualities. We’ve shown we can win when we’re not at our best. We’ve shown versatility, depth, and maturity.
With the SheBelieves Cup behind them, the USWNT now shifts focus toward a set of forthcoming fixtures against their longtime rivals Japan, which will serve as a test of their growth and readiness ahead of the next World Cup qualifying cycle.
