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SANTA BARBARA, CA - JANUARY 27: Emily Sams #6 of United States in action during the second half of the International Friendly match against Chile at Harder Stadium on January 27, 2026 in Santa Barbara, California. The United States won the match 5-0. (Photo by Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Defender Emily Sams will replace Jordyn Bugg on the USWNT’s roster for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup, US Soccer announced on Thursday.
19-year-old Bugg, a center back who plays for the Seattle Reign, was ruled out for a hamstring issue during training.
Sams has made nine appearances for the USWNT, and has scored one international goal and contributed one assist. The defender, who recently moved to Angel City FC, captained the United States for the first time in January in a match against Chile.
Sams won Defender of the Year in 2024, leading the Orlando Pride to win the NWSL Shield and Championship. She was recently traded to Angel City FC for a $650,000 fee, one of the highest in league history.
In a January press conference, Hayes said that Sams needs to keep progressing and the next challenge is “finding her next level.”
“Naomi Girma and Emily Sonnett have been the standout to center backs for this team,” said Hayes in early January. “I think Jordyn Bugg is a prospect that will be competitive with this team for years to come. I think for Emily Sams, she needs to keep progressing.”
“I think last year, she’s eight out of ten in everything she does, week in, week out,” said Hayes. “But I think finding her next level, that’s her next challenge. She knows that. We have a lot of conversations about it. She does a lot of development work on it, and I know she’s very committed to try and find that.”
This is the second defensive injury replacement of this camp; yesterday, it was announced that Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson would replace Washington Spirit defender Kate Wiesner.
A rule change for the tournament allows teams to name 26-player rosters, although only 23 players will suit up for each match.
U.S. Women’s National Team Roster by Position (Club; Caps/Goals)
2026 SheBelieves Cup
GOALKEEPERS (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 7) Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 5), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, ENG; 4)
DEFENDERS (9): Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 71/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC; 50/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 9/1), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 6/0), Tara Rudd (Washington Spirit; 10/0), Emily Sams (Angel City FC; 9/1), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 113/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 5/0), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave FC; 3/0)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Sam Coffey (Manchester City, ENG; 42/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 170/38), Claire Hutton (Bay FC; 13/1), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage; 1/0), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 116/27), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 13/5), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 31/9), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 13/1)
FORWARDS (6): Maddie Dahlien (Seattle Reign FC; 2/0), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars FC; 2/1), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit; 49/13), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC; 14/6), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current; 15/6), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 26/3)
Schedule:
Sunday, March 1 – GEODIS Park, Nashville, Tenn.
- Canada vs. Colombia – 1 p.m. CT
- USA vs. Argentina – 4 p.m. CT
Wednesday, March 4 – ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio
- Argentina vs. Colombia – 3:30 p.m. ET
- USA vs. Canada – 6:45 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 7 – Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, N.J.
- Canada vs. Argentina – 12:30 p.m. ET
- USA vs. Colombia – 3:30 p.m. ET
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