Naomi Girma to play for USWNT in hometown of San Jose

Defender will face Japan in 3-game series, joined by returning teammates Sophia Wilson and Tierna Davidson

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:19pm

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Naomi Girma, a defender from San Jose who plays professionally for Chelsea in England, will suit up for the U.S. Women's National Team in a three-game series against Japan, including a match in her hometown of San Jose. Girma's Stanford teammate Sophia Wilson and defender Tierna Davidson will also return to the USWNT roster for the series.

Why it matters

Girma's homecoming will be a special moment for the rising star, who last played for the USWNT in her hometown during a send-off game before the 2023 World Cup. The series against Japan will also serve as an important test for the USWNT as they prepare for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

The details

Girma, who was born in San Jose and played at nearby Stanford, will be on the roster for the United States when they play Japan on April 11 at San Jose's PayPal Park. Her last national team appearance in her hometown was in a 2-0 victory over Wales ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Girma's Stanford teammate Sophia Wilson was named to her first roster in 15 months after taking last year off for the birth of her daughter. Defender Tierna Davidson, who tore her ACL last season, will also return to the USWNT.

  • Girma's last national team appearance in San Jose was in 2023 before the World Cup.
  • The USWNT will play Japan in a 3-game series starting on April 11, 2026.

The players

Naomi Girma

A defender from San Jose who plays professionally for Chelsea in England and has 52 caps for the U.S. Women's National Team, including winning gold at the 2024 Olympics.

Sophia Wilson

A midfielder for the Portland Thorns who has 58 caps and 24 goals for the USWNT, including 3 goals at the 2024 Olympics.

Tierna Davidson

A left-back for Gotham FC who has 67 caps for the USWNT but missed most of last season due to an ACL injury.

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What they’re saying

“Playing for the national team in the Bay always just feels like kind of surreal, and seeing a lot of people who come to support me, who were there when I was playing club soccer, just playing for fun, and being like, 'Wow, I can't believe that we're all here and we've made it this far.' So it always is really special for me.”

— Naomi Girma

“I think it's a great test for us. They're a great side, just won the Asian Cup. And I think they're very organized in their defense, but then also in their attack and they bring something different to a lot of other opponents that we play. So I think it's always a good test for us to measure ourselves against them.”

— Naomi Girma

“Seeing a lot of younger players be able to come into a full team camp and not really miss a beat, and not seem like they don't know what's going on, or feel like it's a little bit too much, I think that transition has become really smooth. And I think with having some players come back in that weren't in last year, it's a really exciting time for our team. We have a big pool who now has experience, whether it's in the last year, in the last couple years, ready to fill any role that we need.”

— Naomi Girma

What’s next

The USWNT will play Japan in the second match of the 3-game series on April 14 at Lumen Field in Seattle, followed by the final match on April 17 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

The takeaway

Naomi Girma's homecoming to San Jose will be a special moment for the rising USWNT star, and the series against Japan will serve as an important test for the team as they prepare for the 2027 World Cup. The return of experienced players like Sophia Wilson and Tierna Davidson, along with the integration of younger talent, has the USWNT in a strong position heading into the next major tournament.