USWNT's Thompson Sisters Reunite on Pitch

Gisele Thompson earns starting role alongside sister Alyssa in USWNT's match against Japan

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a USWNT soccer match, with the Thompson sisters' figures fragmented and overlapping in a dynamic, multi-perspective composition using the teams' official uniform colors.The Thompson sisters' sibling partnership on the USWNT is a captivating narrative as the team prepares for the 2027 World Cup.San Jose Today

Gisele Thompson, the 20-year-old defender for the U.S. Women's National Team, is steadily proving herself worthy of a spot on the 2027 World Cup roster as she plays alongside her sister Alyssa. The Thompson sisters have more starts together than any other set of siblings who have played for the USWNT, and their intuitive understanding of each other on the pitch is a valuable asset for the team.

Why it matters

The Thompson sisters' reunion on the USWNT highlights the growing depth and talent of the national team, as younger players like Gisele earn opportunities to showcase their skills alongside experienced veterans like Alyssa. Their sibling partnership also provides a compelling narrative for fans as the USWNT prepares for the 2027 World Cup.

The details

Gisele earned her first call-up to the senior national team in November 2024 and made her debut in February 2025. Head coach Emma Hayes has been keen to bring Gisele into the USWNT, even plucking her from the under-23 squad when center-back Tierna Davidson sustained an injury. In the recent match against Japan, Gisele's high press and spatial awareness helped generate the counterattack that led to the game-winning goal, showcasing her growth. However, Hayes noted that Gisele still has room for improvement in her defensive positioning and decision-making at the highest level.

  • Gisele earned her first call-up to senior national team camp in November 2024.
  • Gisele made her USWNT debut in February 2025 at the SheBelieves Cup.
  • Gisele was called up to the senior team in March 2025 when Tierna Davidson sustained an injury.
  • The Thompson sisters started together for the USWNT in a 2-1 win over Japan on April 14, 2026.

The players

Gisele Thompson

A 20-year-old defender for the U.S. Women's National Team who is steadily proving herself worthy of a spot on the 2027 World Cup roster.

Alyssa Thompson

Gisele's older sister, who plays alongside her on the USWNT. The Thompson sisters have the most starts together of any sibling duo in the U.S. program's history.

Emma Hayes

The head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team, who has been keen to bring Gisele Thompson into the senior squad and is focused on her development.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Giselle knows that my goal with her is that I need her to be more durable. So I told her, 'You're playing 90 minutes. Don't look at me. You're not coming off.''”

— Emma Hayes, Head Coach, U.S. Women's National Team

“'I think she's got to develop a couple of things defensively. Like second half, she stepped out in situations where she's got to stay in the back line, otherwise it's a lot of running for Kennedy (Wesley), which it was.'”

— Emma Hayes, Head Coach, U.S. Women's National Team

What’s next

The USWNT will play two more matches against Japan in the coming days, providing further opportunities for Gisele Thompson to showcase her growth and cement her place on the 2027 World Cup roster.

The takeaway

The Thompson sisters' reunion on the USWNT highlights the program's depth and the promising future of the national team, as younger players like Gisele earn chances to play alongside experienced veterans. Their sibling partnership is a compelling narrative that could captivate fans as the team prepares for the 2027 World Cup.