The U.S. women's national team jumped to the top of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup standings with a 1-0 win over Canada in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, March 4.
Emma Hayes selected a nearly full-strength lineup with some of her top stars featuring heavily. It was another tough battle between these two bitter rivals, but in the end it would be the Americans coming out on top.
Canada proved to be tough in the first half as they opened the match on the front foot. The U.S. turned the momentum in their favor after 20 minutes and started piling on shot attempts at the opposing goal, but failed to break through before the break.
It was much of the same story coming out of halftime as the visitors looked inspired. But once the Americans gained control of the match, they finally found the back of the net through Ally Sentnor in the 55th minute. After taking the lead Hayes' side never looked back, controlling the play and seeing out the result.
Let's take a look back at how the USWNT players fared in a shutout win over Canada in the SheBelieves Cup.
GK: Phallon Tullis-Joyce - 6.5
Despite Canada looking threatening for several spells throughout the night, there wasn't much for her to do. However, on the few occasions where questions were asked, she had the answer.
RB: Emily Fox - 7
Other than a few questionable turnovers in dangerous spots against the Canadian press, she did extremely well quelling several attacks against her goal while also providing some much-needed width.
CB: Naomi Girma - 7
While the stats won't give her credit for how good of a performance this was, she just offers a dominant presence in the back that often seems to force teams to avoid her side of the box. In addition to being a menacing defender, she just oozes confidence on the ball in the build-up.
CB: Emily Sonnett - 7.5
The more active of the two center backs, she was credited with seven defensive contributions, including five clearances. When Canada did threaten the American goal, she was usually there to deny them easy access.
LB: Gisele Thompson - 7
The Thompson sisters were a dynamic duo on the left-hand side, causing issues for Canada all night. Gisele played her role to perfection, adding attacking width with her pace, while also providing some much needed cover defensively, breaking up several counter-attacks.
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CM: Claire Hutton - 6.5
A measured and steady performance in midfield. Nothing spectacular to point out, but nothing detrimental either.
CM: Sam Coffey - 7
One big thing that stood out from Coffey's performance is just how dynamic she is making runs off the ball. It seemed like she was popping up everywhere on the field as an option either going forward towards goal or to be a reliable option in possession. While nothing tangible like a goal or an assist came from her efforts, they easily could have.
RM: Trinity Rodman - 5
It was a tough night for the highest paid woman in soccer. After coming off with an injury at the weekend, she did not look her usual explosive self on the wing. Often looking frustrated, she failed to make much of an impact and had one of her most disappointing showings in a while. Perhaps the knock she picked up against Argentina played a role.
CAM: Rose Lavelle - 7
As the main creative force, she had several chances to find a goal, but couldn't threaten the Canada goal despite several attempts. In addition to six key passes on the day, she delivered the corner kick that found Sentnor for the opening goal. It wasn't an earth-shattering performance, but it got the job done.
LM: Alyssa Thompson - 7.5
Alyssa was an absolute pest against the Canadian back line, which had no answer for her pace and directness. At times she was a one-woman counter-attack, flying past defenders and threatening the opposing goal with shots. If not for some good saves, she easily finds the back of the net and is the talk of the match.
ST: Ally Sentnor - 8
After missing a big chance in the first half, she enjoyed some sweet redemption by burying the only goal of the match about 10 minutes after halftime. Getting on the end of a corner kick, she had time and space to smash a finish into the corner of the net.
Outside of the goal, she proved to be a valuable focal point in the attack as the striker. While not a prototypical target player or a speed demon, she offers some very good hold-up play, while constantly finding dangerous pockets of space to always be an option for her teammates.
Sub: Emma Sears - 6
Seemed to get involved more on the right flank than Rodman did, but didn't have many impactful moments.
Sub: Lindsey Heaps - 6
Came in and held down the midfield, as you'd expect her to do. Saw out the result without any spectacular moments.
Sub: Jaedyn Shaw - NR
Stoppage-time sub.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:USWNT vs. Canada player ratings: Ally Sentnor goal wins SheBelieves Cup game
