As Jaedyn Shaw continues her unprecedented start with the USWNT, interim coach Twila Kilgore thinks she hasn’t even hit her stride yet. 

Speaking ahead of the SheBelieves Cup final, Kilgore said that there’s still more to come from the 19-year-old forward. Against Japan, Shaw became the first player in USWNT history to score in each of her first five starts for the team. 

"I would say even though everyone is super pleased and happy, and we all see who she is, be patient, because there's more," Kilgore said. "She wants that challenge to bring everything she has to the table."

Shaw is just the 13th player in team history to score in five straight matches and now has seven goals in 11 appearances with the senior national team. While Shaw originally started out on the wing, she took on the No. 10 role on Saturday as the team’s playmaker – a place that she feels like she thrives. 

"I do feel like I play my best game when I have freedom and when I can be myself, but also have a starting structure," Shaw told ESPN on Monday. "It's just gotten better since my first camp so I'm just excited for it to continue to go up."

With just three months to go until the Olympics, Shaw is cementing her place on the team’s roster – particularly with her ability to move positions, something that will be important as the team looks to build just an 18-player roster for Paris.

And according to Kilgore, Shaw is “still in the onboarding process.”

"Jaedyn has always been a really good goal scorer," Kilgore said. "I think finding her niche in this team and being able to score consistently is quite a feat, especially as you're being integrated.

"I would actually say even though she's here, she's doing a great job, we're seeing great things from her, and we're really pleased, I'd say she's still in the onboarding process. She's still working on all phases of her game -- excellent in a lot of them and being challenged in some others.”

The USWNT will play in the SheBelieves Cup final on Tuesday after a back-and-forth matchup with Japan that ended in a 2-1 win for the home team.

While Japan scored mere seconds into the game, the USWNT was able to recover. Jaedyn Shaw earned an equalizer in the 21st minute with a brilliant strike from distance. The goal also set a personal record, as she’s now the first player in USWNT history to score in each of her first five starts.

Shaw's mark was felt throughout the game, as she shifted to the No. 10 position and also tried her hand at a little bit of defense.

"I just want to point out, not only did she score a brilliant goal, and not only was she part of a lot of very effective build-ups, but she did a great job defensively," U.S. interim coach Twila Kilgore said about Shaw. "And this is an area where she has accepted a challenge and is continuing to grow and makes a massive difference for our team."

USWNT captain Lindsey Horan, who had the game-winning penalty, called Shaw “a footballer.”

“She has a physical presence, but she’s so smart on the ball and technical and savvy and creative,” she told CNN.

Both Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario also made their returns. For Swanson, it was her first start for the USWNT since April 2023, when she suffered a season-ending injury.

“I looked up to her. She’s an amazing player,” Shaw told reporters about Swanson. “I’m so happy that she’s back and I can play with her.”

In total, 50,644 fans turned out for the USWNT, setting a new record for women’s soccer as the most-attended USWNT friendly ever hosted in the U.S. It’s also the most-attended USWNT match at home since the 1999 World Cup final. 

The USWNT will now play Canada on Tuesday at 7pm ET in a re-match of the Gold Cup semifinal, which the USWNT won in penalties.

Ali Krieger is taking a brief interlude from retirement to play this summer in The Soccer Tournament. 

The defender will be teaming up with former USWNT teammate Heather O’Reilly on the U.S. Women’s team to compete in the first women’s iteration of the 7-on-7 competition.

The winning team will take home $1 million in prize money.

“I’m so excited. Heather O’Reilly is putting a team together. Mostly former national team players,” Krieger told ESPN’s Futbol Americas. “It’s a great mix. I don’t know if I’m going to be the only defender. I’ve only seen a lot of the attacking players.”

She also joked that she’s in it to win it all. But she’s also excited just to “enjoy myself for a few days.”

“I told [O’Reilly] that I’m only signing up if we win,” Krieger said. “So I told her no pressure. But I’m bringing my boots … I actually am starting training soon so I don’t injure myself. I’m very excited to play in front of the fans, the supporters, and some family members again.”

Krieger retired from the USWNT in 2021 before ending her professional career in the NWSL in 2023 with Gotham FC, going out on top with the team’s first NWSL championship. 

Other members of the team have yet to be announced, although O’Reilly has said that she’s trying to recruit former teammates like Julie Ertz and Carli Lloyd to the team.

The tournament will take place in Cary, N.C. from June 5-10.

USWNT interim head coach Twila Kilgore opened her media availability on Friday addressing Korbin Albert’s social media activity, calling it “disappointing.”

Both captain Lindsey Horan and long-time veteran Alex Morgan addressed it earlier this week, saying that the team had conversations internally after Albert's activity came to light. 

“We’ve worked extremely hard to uphold the integrity of this national team through all of the generations, and we are extremely, extremely sad that this standard was not upheld,” Horan said. “Our fans and our supporters feel like this is a team that they can rally behind, and it’s so important that they feel and continue to feel undeniably heard and seen.”

On Friday, Kilgore confirmed that such conversations had taken place, noting that “this team has never shied away from hard conversations.” It’s a sentiment that is similar to what was shared by Morgan. 

Kilgore noted that Albert’s social media activity does fall short of the expectations within the team, although it’s unclear if U.S. Soccer can discipline social media activity. 

“It is disappointing when somebody falls short of the very high standards that we set within this team,” Kilgore said. “This team has always been a beacon of respect, inclusion and demonstrated great allyship through actions for underrepresented and marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, and we will continue to do so.”

Albert has apologized for her social media activity, which included reposting anti-LGBTQ+ posts and appearing to like a post making light of Megan Rapinoe’s injury in her final professional game. 

Kilgore said that the team is “continuing to work on getting better” and putting themselves in the best position to succeed in the SheBelieves Cup. 

Albert, who was called in for the tournament, is available to play, per Kilgore.

USWNT captains Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan addressed midfielder Korbin Albert’s social media activity on Wednesday, opening their SheBelieves Cup media appearance with a series of statements on the state of the team.

“We just want to address the disappointing situation regarding Korbin that has unfolded over this past week," Horan began. "We’ve worked extremely hard to uphold the integrity of this national team through all of the generations, and we are extremely, extremely sad that this standard was not upheld.

"Our fans and our supporters feel like this is a team that they can rally behind, and it’s so important that they feel and continue to feel undeniably heard and seen.”

Albert, Horan and Morgan are all in camp for the USWNT as they prepare for the SheBelieves Cup, which starts this weekend.

Early last week, previous social media activity from Albert, who plays for both the USWNT and overseas for Paris Saint-Germain, was surfaced by fans. It included Albert sharing a video from a Christian sermon that expressed anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment. Screengrabs also surfaced of Albert liking a post that appeared to make light of former USWNT star Megan Rapinoe’s Achilles injury that happened in her final professional game.

Albert, like Rapinoe, wears No. 15 for the USWNT. She received her first senior call-up last November, after Rapinoe retired.

Rapinoe spoke out condemning the posts, asking if such posts are “making any time of space safer, more inclusive … bringing the best out of anyone?”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

Both current and former USWNT teammates, including long-time captain Becky Sauerbrunn, Lynn Williams and Abby Dahlkemper, reshared Rapinoe's post. 

Rapinoe later confirmed to The Athletic that the post was in response to Albert’s social media activity, but also said that her focus was on protecting queer lives and sharing concerns over how online activity and anti-trans sentiment can have real-world consequences.

Albert later apologized, writing that the activity was “immature and disrespectful”:

“I'm really disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended,” she said, in part. “I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields. I know my actions have not lived up to that and for that I sincerely apologize. It’s an honor and a privilege to play this sport on the world stage and I promise to do better.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

On Wednesday, Morgan told reporters that the USWNT is committed to “maintaining a safe and respectful space, especially as allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

"This platform has given us an opportunity to highlight causes that matter to us — something we never take for granted. And we'll keep using this platform to give attention to causes that are important to us," she said. "It's also important to note we've had internal discussions around the situation and that will stay within the team. … We have never shied away from hard conversations within this team."

Mallory Swanson also spoke with the media, reaffirming that the conversations had happened.

“We’ve had internal conversations and ultimately, those just stay internal,” Swanson said.

USWNT midfielder Korbin Albert has apologized for past social media activity that appeared to support anti-LGBTQIA+ content and for liking an Instagram post that made light of Megan Rapinoe’s injury in her final professional game. 

The posts caused Rapinoe to call out the midfielder, who now wears Rapinoe’s No. 15, on Instagram, addressing her note to “the people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’” and saying that “all you believe in is hate.”

Rapinoe’s comments were then shared by USWNT teammate Becky Sauerbrunn, as well as others like Lynn Williams, Sam Mewis and Kristie Mewis. 

Among the posts reposted to Albert’s TikTok was a Christian sermon talking about how being gay and “feeling transgender” is wrong. The posts surfaced earlier this week and garnered widespread attention among fans of women’s soccer. 

Albert started in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League game on Thursday, scoring in the 70th minute. Following the game, and hours after Rapinoe’s post, Albert posted an apology to her Instagram. 

"I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media," Albert wrote in a post shared on her Instagram story late Thursday. "Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful which was never my intent. I'm really disappointed in myself and am deeply sorry for the hurt that I have caused to my teammates, other players, fans, friends and anyone who was offended.

“I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields. I know my actions have not lived up to that and for that I sincerely apologize. It’s an honor and a privilege to play this sport on the world stage and I promise to do better.”

U.S. Soccer has yet to address Albert’s social media activity, although she is set to join the USWNT next week in camp ahead of the SheBelieves Cup, which starts on April 6.

Former USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe took to Instagram to implicitly call out current USWNT midfielder Korbin Albert’s past social media activity.

Albert, who now wears Rapinoe’s No. 15, came under fire this week for previous social media activity that included her appearing to support anti-LGBTQIA+ content and like an Instagram post that made light of Rapinoe’s injury in her final professional game. 

Rapinoe tore her Achilles in the NWSL championship, and Albert, via a screengrab, appeared to like a post from a meme account that read: “God taking time off performing miracles to make sure Megan Rapinoe sprains her ankle in her final ever game.”

Albert’s Instagram handle appeared to have liked the post in the screengrab, although the original appears to have been deleted as of March 28. 

On Thursday, Rapinoe posted her reaction to Albert’s activity via an Instagram story.

“To the people who want to hide behind ‘my beliefs’ I would just ask one question, are you making any time of space safer, more inclusive, more whole, any semblance of better, bringing the best out of anyone?” she wrote. “… because if you aren’t all you believe in is hate. And Kids are literally killing themselves because of this hate. Wake TF up! Yours Truly, #15.”

She signed off her note saying, “For all my trans homies enduring this horrific treatment day in and day out, I see you and hear you and I am WITH YOU.”

USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn reshared the post on Thursday, captioning it, “Well said.” Other former teammates and current USWNT members also shared the post, including Lynn Williams, Abby Dahlkemper, Sam Mewis and Kristie Mewis. 

When asked for comment by The Athletic, Rapinoe said the post was a response to Albert’s social media activity, but also noted that her focus is on protecting queer lives and sharing concerns over how online discussions and anti-trans sentiment can have real-world consequences.

Rapinoe isn’t the only USWNT member to have supported trans rights. Long-time captain Becky Sauerbrunn wrote an op-ed for a Missouri newspaper in support of allowing trans girls and women to play sports. In the final game of the 2022 SheBelieves Cup, held in Texas, players wore wristbands with the words “Protect Trans Kids” on the same day that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for state employees to report the parents of trans children to the authorities. 

Following her Champions League match with club team Paris Saint-Germain, Albert posted an apology to Instagram.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions on social media,” she wrote. “Liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful which was never my intent.

“I truly believe that everyone should feel safe and respected everywhere and on all playing fields. I know my actions have not lived up to that and for that I sincerely apologize. It’s an honor and a privilege to play this sport on the world stage and I promise to do better.”

Christen Press continues to inch her way back to a return, having returned to training with her club team Angel City. 

Angel City FC coach Becki Tweed said on Wednesday that Press is back with the team full-time as she continues to make her way back from an ACL injury. While she’s still working on rehab, her being back with the team gives staff a better picture of her progress. 

"Christen [Press] is back with us full time which is amazing,” she said. “Having her in and around the team every day, continuing to work hard on rehab ... she's in a space where being in with the team is really important to her and her progression as well.”

The status update comes days after Press posted videos to social media that featured her doing lateral movement in cleats on grass. 

“Look out world she’s on the move !” Press captioned it. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Christen Press (@christenpress)

Press has been sidelined with an ACL injury since 2022, which caused her to miss the 2023 World Cup. She’s since had four separate surgeries to help repair her ACL.

Press told The Athletic a month ago that she’s been “relentless” in her optimism with her recovery despite it being a “slow process.”

“I have a bit of relentless optimism,” she told The Athletic. “I never, ever doubted that I would make it back on any of the timelines I’ve been on."

"Every single time I’ve heard, ‘You have to have surgery,’ I’m completely shocked,” she said. “When somebody asks me how it’s going, I’m like, ‘It’s going great. And it was going great every time. So I don’t know what to tell you anymore!’”

Midge Purce announced on Wednesday that she has torn her ACL. 

The Gotham FC and USWNT forward went down with the injury on Sunday during Gotham’s 1-0 win after tweaking it earlier in the game. Gotham coach Juan Carlos Amorós did not have any immediate updates following the match, with further evaluation revealing the tear. 

“It’s a reality I’m still struggling with and has left me with not too much to say,” Purce wrote in a statement on social media. “I’m heartbroken to no longer be available for my season with Gotham FC or for Olympic selection with the USWNT – know I’m rooting for you both all year long. 

“Though you may not see it, I’ll be doing everything I can to get back on the field.”

Purce is just the latest women's soccer star to tear her ACL, and joins USWNT teammate Mia Fishel in having torn her ACL in the last couple of months. Other notable players include Catarina Macario and Christen Press, with Macario only just returning to the USWNT lineup after tearing hers in 2022. 

International stars such as Alexia Putellas, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson have also suffered ACL tears. 

Purce’s injury caused Amorós to call out the international schedule, which has been a growing point of concern as more players fall victim to injuries and the playing schedule becomes more packed. Kansas City’s Debinha suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s opening game, while both Lynn Williams and Rose Lavelle have yet to play for Gotham due to injuries picked up during the W Gold Cup. 

“We lost Midge during the game which for me is a bittersweet flavor,” Amorós told reporters after Sunday’s game. “By the way, it’s another player that came from the Gold Cup. Last week, it was Debinha. We are paying the consequences of a tournament that shouldn’t have happened.”

“We’re talking about protecting the players, [who shouldn’t] go to play an international competition after one week of preseason,” Amorós continued. “We’ve seen the consequences now. We’ve got Rose, Lynn, last week it was Debinha in Kansas [City] and now we have Midge. From my experience, the clubs are going to keep paying for that competition."

In her statement, Purce said that “so many friends, teammates and even players I’ve only ever competed against” reached out to offer support. 

“I am so blessed,” she wrote. “Your messages have meant so much to me throughout this process, you have consoled what, for a moment, felt inconsolable. Thank you for reminding me that our football world is not only full with incredibly talent but also, incredible kindness.”

The USWNT’s SheBelieves Cup roster dropped on Tuesday, with some familiar faces back in the lineup.

For the first time in two years, Catarina Macario is back with the USWNT after tearing her ACL in 2022. She joins Mallory Swanson, who is back in the lineup for the first time since tearing her patellar tendon a year ago. It comes after she joined the USWNT last camp as a training player.

“We're thrilled to welcome back Mal and Cat and continue to incorporate some less experienced players into the mix,” interim coach Twil Kilgore said.

They’re joined by first-time call-ups in 16-year-old Ajax midfielder Lily Yohannes and 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender Eva Gaetino. Both players started for their respective teams in the most recent UEFA Champions League quarter final matches.

Of the 23-player roster, six play professionally in Europe. Seventeen of the 23 play in the NWSL. It’s a departure from last year’s World Cup roster, in which 22 of the 23 players on the USWNT roster played in the NWSL. 

Yohannes is the youngest player to receive a call-up to the USWNT since Sophia Smith – then 16 – joined the team in April 2017. It also comes days after Netherlands coach Andries Jonker said that she had expressed interest in playing for the Netherlands and that she had begun the process of acquiring Dutch citizenship. 

At the time Hayes, who was coaching Chelsea in the team’s quarter final match against Ajax, said that she wouldn’t try to recruit Yohannes to the USWNT, but called her a “tremendous talent.”

"Her final pass is exceptional," Hayes said of Yohannes. "She's got the ability, especially in tight areas she can get out of pressure really well. But her vision, the quality of her execution is really, really high. Sometimes I don't believe she's 16 years of age because she plays with such maturity, but a wonderful talent."

Also among the team’s forwards is Alex Morgan, who was only called into the Gold Cup camp after Mia Fishel tore her ACL. Midge Purce, Alana Cook, Rose Lavelle and Lynn Williams are all absent from the roster due to injuries. 

USWNT 2024 SheBelieves Cup Roster

Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

Defenders (8): Abby Dahlkemper (San Diego Wave FC), Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Tierna Davidson (NY/NJ Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC), Eva Gaetino (Paris Saint-Germain), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NY/NJ Gotham FC)

Midfielders (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (AFC Ajax)

Forwards (6): Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC), Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars)