USA Women’s Soccer defeats Paraguay to start off the year in a friendly- Jan. 2026
In January 2026, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) kicked off their season with a dominant 6-0 victory over Paraguay at Dignity Health Sports Park. While the first half was a bit of a stalemate, debutant Reilyn Turner broke the deadlock in stoppage time, leading to a second-half “goal fest” where the U.S. scored five times in just 12 minutes.
Match Highlights
- Dominant Second Half: After leading only 1-0 at the break, the U.S. exploded with goals from Ally Sentnor (who secured a brace), Trinity Rodman, and Emma Sears, along with an own goal from Paraguay.
- Rodman’s New Role: In a landmark week where she signed the largest contract in women’s soccer history, Trinity Rodman captained the side for the first time and marked the occasion with a goal.
- Statistical Superiority: The U.S. controlled 70% of possession and held Paraguay to zero shots on goal for the entire match.
Significant Departures
The match also served as a backdrop for the transition of the program’s veteran core:
- Christen Press: Before kickoff, the USWNT held a special retirement celebration for Press, a two-time World Cup winner and one of the most prolific scorers in the team’s history.
- Crystal Dunn: Following the match window, legendary defender Crystal Dunn officially announced her retirement on January 29, 2026. At 33, the Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion retired to focus on her family, ending a storied 12-year international career.
- Written by Marie Llug