We at The Equalizer are looking forward to covering this year’s World Cup in depth, but we’re just as excited about the future. In two months, the United States competes at another major finals. But in three months, a new tournament cycle begins. With that in mind, we want to think one step ahead, and assess the major prospects that could carry the national team forward. These are our top 50 USWNT prospects to watch out for ahead of the World Cup in 2027. This is the next generation, part three.
About the series
Because this series focuses on the future of the United States women’s national team, we are only considering players who will be under the age of 27 when the 2023 World Cup ends. Due to the complexity of comparing college and professional players, this series is limited players who are already pros. A lot can change in the next four years, so we aren’t ranking these players purely on form. Some of them are not at the peak of their powers right now; others aren’t necessarily playing in their best position.
See players No. 40 through 31 here.
See players No. 50 through 41 here.
30. Korbin Albert
- Age: 19
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain (France)
In January of this year, Albert elected to follow the path taken by Catarina Macario, leaving the college game for French soccer. The difference was that, while Macario signed for Lyon, Albert joined Paris Saint-Germain, penning a two-and-a-half-year deal. Since then, she has already logged seven appearances, one of which saw her come on in a Champions League knockout match against Wolfsburg. Standing out thanks to her tight ball control, agility and clever movement, the 19-year-old can create, score and connect play. She could become a key player for PSG in the next few years.
29. Tatumn Milazzo
- Age: 25
- Position: Defender
- Club: Chicago Red Stars
Of the many talented Chicago players looking to break into the national team, Milazzo perhaps has the clearest route. A mobile defender, she has played in every single position across the Red Stars’ back line, as part of a four and a three. Last season, her consistency led to her being named in the NWSL Team of the Year Second XI. Her versatility and reliability in one-v-ones means she can perform equally well as a center-back or as a defensive full-back on either flank—the sort of profile that can prove invaluable heading into international tournaments.
28. Yazmeen Ryan
- Age: 24
- Position: Attacking Midfielder/Winger
- Club: NJ/NY Gotham
Ryan made her mark with the Portland Thorns last year, impressing to such an extent that—by the Championship game against the Kansas City Current—she was starting on the right flank and supplying Sophia Smith for the opening goal in a 2-0 win. Capable of playing central or on the wing, the 24-year-old is now starring for Gotham, and set to unleash her full potential. With a sumptuous first touch, dribbling skill and an appetite for putting in critical defensive shifts, she is at once a dangerous attacking outlet and an effective team player.
27. Cece Kizer
- Age: 25
- Position: Forward
- Club: Kansas City Current
It’s almost impossible to describe Kizer’s game in conventional terms. She isn’t a pure winger, nor an out-and-out striker, nor an attacking midfielder in the traditional sense. Rather, she’s a little bit of all the above. What is much clearer is her end product—over the last three years she has scored 20 goals and set up a further seven in 61 games across both the NWSL and the Challenge Cup. Dynamic and efficient, with a high work rate and ability to slot into almost any attacking role, Kizer is becoming harder and harder for the national team to ignore.
26. Emily Madril
- Age: 23
- Position: Center-back
- Club: Orlando Pride
Madril was the earliest defensive pick in this year’s NWSL draft, selected No.3 overall by Orlando as they sought to rebuild their back line. A fast, authoritative center-back, the youngster has adjusted quickly and imposed herself. While not the tallest of players in her position, she has a good leap and commits herself to every challenge. On top of all that, she is assured in possession, mixing tidy distribution with occasional attacking forays. Madril has been involved internationally at multiple youth levels, and she has what it takes to step up to the senior side one day.
25. Michelle Cooper
- Age: 20
- Position: Striker
- Club: Kansas City Current
The No.2 overall pick in this year’s NWSL draft, Cooper is already a regular feature of Kansas City’s attack. A prolific scorer in college, she has found herself playing more on the right-hand side for the Current, but her future is at striker. At 20 years old, she already possesses two-way capability—she can hold the ball up well, backing into defenders and laying off to teammates, but she can also threaten in behind with good speed and intelligent running. Once she gets her first NWSL goal, expect plenty more to follow.
24. Sam Hiatt
- Age: 25
- Position: Center-back
- Club: OL Reign
Hiatt is a center-back who takes great pride in defending. Whether on the ground or in the air, she throws herself into every battle and appears to relish physical contact. She has grown into a must-start for the Reign over the last two years and is now one of the league’s steadiest center-backs, combining strength, judgment and bravery, not to mention accurate passing off either foot. At this point it’s more a question of when, not if, Hiatt gets called into the USWNT. She’s an obvious candidate to be introduced after this summer’s World Cup.
23. Phallon Tullis-Joyce
- Age: 26
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Club: OL Reign
Tullis-Joyce began her pro career in the French top flight with Stade de Reims, before moving to OL Reign in 2021. She played every game last season, earning a nomination for NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, helping the Reign into the playoffs and becoming a fan favorite. At 6’1”, she is tall and increasingly assured when commanding her box. She’s also agile, and quick coming off her line. With a number of the existing USWNT goalkeeper crop entering the latter stages of their careers, Tullis-Joyce is set for a call-up soon.
22. Katie Lund
- Age: 26
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Club: Racing Louisville
Lund established herself as one of the best up-and-coming goalkeepers in the NWSL last season. She played every minute for Racing Louisville, keeping six clean sheets while operating behind one of the league’s leakiest defenses. Only four keepers had more shut-outs, and they all played for playoff teams. Indeed, there were many times where Lund single–handedly kept her side in games. At 6’1” she is a big presence, always alert, with quick reactions and safe hands. She should be right there with Tullis-Joyce and Casey Murphy, challenging for the USWNT goalkeeper spot in the near future.
21. Bethany Balcer
- Age: 26
- Position: Forward
- Club: OL Reign
Balcer was the feel-good story of the 2019 NWSL season as, after going undrafted out of the NAIA, she went on to win the Rookie of the Year award. Our own Jeff Kassouf described her rise as “a lesson in the many different places in which talent can be found.” In total, the 26-year-old has now scored 24 NWSL goals. A cerebral forward whose game is as much about what she does off the ball as what she does on it, Balcer can finish on the ground or in the air. She won her first USWNT cap in 2021, and more should follow.
Up next: Prospects 20-11
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