USWNT Opens SheBelieves Cup
The US Women's National Team opened the SheBelieves Cup with a 1-0 victory over Canada, thanks to a decisive goal from Sentnor. The win gives the USWNT an early edge in the tournament, which is seen as a key test ahead of Olympic qualifiers later this year.
The game's only goal came in the 55th minute from 22-year-old forward Ally Sentnor, who scored her seventh international goal off a corner kick from Rose Lavelle. The set-piece goal was a result of practiced plays, with Trinity Rodman acting as a dummy to create the opening for Sentnor's half-volley strike. The victory continued an impressive defensive streak for the Americans, marking their seventh consecutive shutout. Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce secured the clean sheet, as the U.S. has not conceded a goal in 714 minutes of play, a stretch dating back to a match against Portugal in October 2025. With the win, the USWNT moved to the top of the four-team tournament standings with six points, having also defeated Argentina 2-0 in their opening match. A draw or win in their final match against Colombia will be enough to secure their eighth SheBelieves Cup title. This is the 11th edition of the SheBelieves Cup, and for head coach Emma Hayes, it serves as a crucial testing ground. Hayes is using the tournament's group-stage format to evaluate her player pool and prepare for the Concacaf W Championship in November, which serves as the qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. The U.S. roster for the tournament features a blend of seasoned veterans and new talent. While players like Lindsey Heaps (170 caps) and Rose Lavelle (116 caps) provide experience, twelve players on the squad made their national team debuts in 2025 or 2026. The match renewed a long-standing rivalry with Canada, the reigning Olympic gold medalists. The United States holds a dominant historical record in the series, with 55 wins, 4 losses, and 9 draws since the teams first played in 1986.
