Do the USWNT's up-and-comers really have a shot at the Women's World Cup roster?

When U.S. women's national team coach Emma Hayes announced her roster for this month's SheBelieves Cup, I'm sure I wasn't the only one quickly scanning for Sophia Wilson's name.

As it happens, Wilson was "not ready" following the birth of her child, according to Hayes. Mallory Swanson isn't in the roster either, following the birth of her child, which makes Trinity Rodman the lone present member of the Triple Espresso frontline. Toss in the injured Catarina Macario, and you have a USWNT attack that's far from full strength.

However, the attacking players deeper down the USWNT's depth chart won't be the only ones with an opportunity to impress their manager this window. Ahead of next summer's Women's World Cup, Hayes is continuing to evaluate the player pool, even going so far as to call in two players who made their debut in January's camp. Add in a fierce competition for the starting left back spot -- one formalized by Crystal Dunn's retirement -- and there's little doubt that World Cup roster spots are up for grabs in the outfield.

With Hayes eyeing this three-game window as a way to "replicate the group stage of a FIFA tournament," the stakes at the SheBelieves Cup could be high for the players who haven't yet solidified their standing with the team.

So, let's assess the USWNT's newbies -- the eight outfield players with fewer than seven caps called up for the March matches -- who have hopes of playing in FIFA's biggest tournament next summer. Of course, all three goalkeepers in camp are inexperienced, too, with less than eight caps. Each one hopes to take the reins from Alyssa Naeher following her international retirement, but the goalkeeper situation is a bit different than what's going on with the outfield players.

Before the USWNT kicks off the SheBelieves Cup on Sunday against Argentina, let's dig into what the fresh faces in the outfield bring to the table -- and whether they have a shot of representing the U.S. at the World Cup.

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Jameese Joseph, striker, Chicago Stars FC (2 caps)

There are few players in the USWNT's pool with more untapped potential than Jameese Joseph. The 23-year-old attacker has put in two seasons of hard work in Chicago with relatively little payoff (as is the custom for Stars' players), until she earned her first cap for the U.S. against Italy last November.

It's in the contrast between her positioning in the Italy match and in her second cap (a start against Chile last month) that we can spot Joseph's budding ability. Used as a right winger against Italy and as a striker against Chile, Joseph was far more effective playing as a No. 9. Of course, the quality of the opponent and the length of her run out both played a part in making Joseph's January outing more productive. But with impressive back-to-goal play, and the ability to create her own shot by spinning off a center back, Joseph looks more natural as a true striker.

Jameese Joseph gets her first international goal in her first USWNT start 💫 pic.twitter.com/YOpRPzMIz3

Joseph is more effective turning against central defenders and combining in tight spaces than she is dribbling past opposing fullbacks and playing the final ball, but her versatility makes her potentially appealing option for Hayes.

Chances of making the World Cup: It would take an injury to Macario or Wilson -- along with playing more standout minutes with the national team -- to see Joseph at next year's World Cup. But if she's able to play as a striker every weekend for Chicago, rapid improvement is in the cards.

Maddie Dahlien, left winger/left back, Seattle Reign FC (2 caps)

After earning her first two caps last month, Maddie Dahlien is back for more. Though she was listed as a forward in U.S. Soccer's most recent roster announcement, the 21-year-old was used as a left back off the bench against both Paraguay and Chile.

Regardless of her specific position (she played all over the left flank for Seattle in her rookie NWSL campaign), Dahlien is at her best sprinting up the left, cutting inside on her dominant right foot, and dribbling past opponents. According to American Soccer Analysis, she finished third in the NWSL among starting outside backs in value added by dribbling in 2025.

Chances of making the World Cup: Without the same scoring chops and creative vision as some of her attacking peers, it's doubtful Dahlien will crack the U.S. squad as a forward next summer. She may have a better chance making it as an outside back, but her left-sided deployment as a right-footer could make her an awkward fit, even aside from her inconsistent one-v-one defending. An impressive SheBelieves Cup could change things, but Dahlien looks like a player worth monitoring at club level more than she looks like a roster lock.

Riley Jackson, central midfielder, North Carolina Courage (1 cap)

There's a little bit of Lily Yohannes in Riley Jackson's game. While it might sound odd to compare a more senior player to their junior (remember, Yohannes is just 18!), it's easy to spot both players' progressive passing instincts. Jackson, 20, has become a standout in North Carolina on the back of her truly exceptional distribution. She showed well in her first and only national team cap to date, starting in last month's win over Chile.

A true distributor in central midfield, Jackson can hit just about any pass. Capable of turning out of pressure and playing long diagonal switches, well-weighted line-breakers, and devastating through balls with both feet, Jackson is impossible to ignore. She also brings defensive effort and quick reactions in transition to the table.

Chances of making the World Cup: Though she's not quite as smooth on the ball as Yohannes, Jackson is one of the top young prospects in the U.S. pool. No one should bat an eye if she ends up at the World Cup over the crowd of No. 8 options Hayes has tried since the Olympics.

Gisele Thompson, right back, Angel City FC (5 caps)

You know the name ... but Gisele Thompson isn't just Alyssa Thompson's younger sister. She's a truly elite player in her own right, one who could end up being even more impactful at the national team level than Alyssa.

With five caps to her name at age 20, Thompson should have the inside track to serving as Emily Fox's backup at right back on a full-strength U.S. squad. It might not be much longer before she's pushing Fox for starting minutes, either.

A truly elite NWSL right back, Thompson can do it all in possession. She was the best dribbling outside back in the league last year, as per American Soccer Analysis' goals-added metric, and can beat an opponent before hitting an accurate cross from high and wide on the right. But, and this is crucial given how Hayes often uses her fullbacks, Thompson can also sit deeper as an auxiliary center back. It was from that more reserved position that the young defender notched this downright absurd assist for the U.S. last month:

Ally Sentnor gets her second of the night vs. Paraguay ✌️ pic.twitter.com/IjTKaP8GJX

While Thompson struggles to win aerial duels, having posted a meager 12.5% win percentage on those duels last year, she's an engaged one-v-one defender. With her elite attacking output, she could be forgiven for slacking a bit at the other end -- but she doesn't. She's engaged in every phase of play.

Chances of making the World Cup: There hasn't been a young defensive player in the U.S. pool with as much promise as Thompson since Naomi Girma. At this rate, she'll be at the World Cup.

Lilly Reale, left back, Gotham FC (6 caps)

Another left back vying for the starting job, Lilly Reale has more national team exposure than Wiesner to the tune of six caps.

Like Wiesner, she's a naturally left-footed player, a trait that Hayes seems to value in her left backs. However, of the two, Reale is the more well-rounded player. There simply aren't any major holes in the 22-year-old's game, which is a feat for a player who just finished her inaugural NWSL season.

In defense, Reale has good size, strength, and speed to hold things down in the wide areas. In possession, she can stay deep and build in line with the center backs or she can put into the attacking line and contribute there.

Chances of making the World Cup: Reale isn't a lock, but her odds look pretty strong. Though she's not truly elite at anything at this stage of her young career, Reale is good at just about everything. That fact could see her continue to start for the U.S. for the foreseeable future.

Kennedy Wesley, center back, San Diego Wave FC (3 caps)

Beyond Girma and Emily Sonnett, there are roster spots up for grabs in the USWNT's center back group. Kennedy Wesley is one of the names vying for Hayes' favor in that part of the field.

The 24-year-old San Diego starter debuted for the national team in October of last year and has earned steady call-ups since. Whether with the Wave or with the United States, it's Wesley's rangy defending that stands out as the best part of her game.

With sharp timing, speed, and strength, Wesley can clean up messes behind the backline as needed and thrives in one-v-one defensive moments. For the national team, she's played on both sides of central defense and brings a capable passing range to the table with both feet.

Chances of making the World Cup: While Wesley is a high-floor player, she isn't an elite possession initiator and can be outdone in the air. She's further towards the back of the center back pack than the front.

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Kate Wiesner, left back, Washington Spirit (3 caps)

Originally included on the SheBelieves Cup roster but removed due to injury, we've still included Kate Wiesner in the ranks here, largely because Hayes seems to have her in consideration for future minutes. Still, that she'll miss out this window is a blow -- but a boon to replacement player Avery Patterson.

When you watch Kate Wiesner, there's one thing that jumps out at you more than anything else: she can whip a ball into the box. The 25-year-old, who has three caps with the national team, was immediately handed set piece opportunities upon her debut in November. Wiesner's impressive deliveries have been on display for the Spirit over the last two seasons, too.

A naturally left-footed player, she's been used as a stay-at-home left back by Hayes with the U.S., getting the chance to break lines from deeper areas before arriving in the final third to serve a ball into the box. Beyond her service, Wiesner is more limited, lacking standout dynamism going forward or exceptional defending tracking back.

Chances of making the World Cup: With a full-on competition for the USWNT's starting left back job, Wiesner is at least in the running for minutes after the SheBelieves Cup. However, Hayes has other options that appear to more likely as Lilly Reale, Patterson, and others have the edge there, and Wiesner's ill-timed injury cost her a chance to show what she can do at the SheBelieves Cup.

Jordyn Bugg, center back, Seattle Reign FC (6 caps)

"Jordyn Bugg, I've been really clear that she's a player I see as the future for the team."

That's incredibly high praise from Hayes, but it's also warranted -- and it's a shame that the rising defender had to withdraw from the original roster due to injury. But like Wiesner, we've still included her here because she made the initial roster and that means she factors into Hayes' estimations.

The second-youngest player in the original SheBelieves squad after Yohannes, the 19-year-old center back plays so far beyond her years. After making her USWNT debut last June, the Seattle defender has amassed six caps thanks to her impressive defensive ability.

Bugg, who started 24 of a possible 26 games in the NWSL regular season last year, is an outstanding one-v-one defender. She positions herself well, stays patient, times her challenges, and has plenty of strength to muscle opposing attackers off the ball.

Bugg is good, if not dominant, in the air and is comfortable playing as either a right- or left-sided center back. There's room for the youngster to become a touch more ambitious on the ball, but she's already a skilled line-breaking passer and can progress possession on the dribble, too.

Chances of making the World Cup: Bugg is very unlikely to unseat Sonnett as Girma's partner before next summer and is several years younger than Wesley, Tara Rudd (née McKeown), and others on the fringes of the player pool. And yet, a World Cup roster spot is on the table. In fact, she may be the USWNT's third-best central defender, which means Hayes' envisioned future could come sooner than expected. Unfortunately with her injury, now it's up to the other players at the SheBelieves Cup camp to see if they can leapfrog her on the depth chart.