Turner Makes History with Debut Goal as USWNT Dominates Paraguay 6-0

Turner became the 25th player in U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) history to score in her first appearance, preventing the team from heading into halftime level with Paraguay.

“I honestly can’t put into words how I’m feeling right now,” Turner expressed to TNT following the match.

A Southern California native, Turner, who hosted dozens of supporters at the game, has been a formidable offensive force for the Thorns over the past two seasons. On Saturday, she started in the No. 9 position for the USWNT. Despite a lackluster first half for the team, she managed to position herself effectively, indicating a promising future in that vital role. Notably, she became the first player in 2026 to earn her USWNT debut while also starting the match, marking her as the 286th woman to represent the USWNT and the 28th to debut under head coach Hayes.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to play. This team has done a remarkable job of getting to know each other and building chemistry. You could see that on the field tonight. With my family here, I am just beyond words,” said Turner.

The first half was one of the slowest performances from the USWNT in quite some time. Despite a well-structured 4-2-3-1 formation, Hayes’ squad struggled to maintain quick ball movement and effectively switch the point of attack. Paraguay’s defensive setup, with five players at the back, contributed to this challenge, as the USWNT failed to exploit the available spaces. Although Claire Hutton, Olivia Moultrie, and Lo’eau LaBonta exhibited tenacity in midfield, the chemistry and flow typically showcased by Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Heaps, and Sam Coffey were noticeably absent.

However, the USWNT made significant adjustments after halftime, displaying quicker ball movement, engaging in one-two-touch plays, and effectively utilizing the midfield triangles. Hayes acknowledged the rustiness observed in her NWSL-exclusive squad, many of whom had not played in weeks at the club level, but she praised Hutton’s leadership, especially after she assumed the captaincy from Rodman when she exited the match.

“For Claire, I believe she’s a future captain in the making, without question. This was a great learning experience for her,” Hayes remarked.

Sentnor, a proven scoring threat for both the U.S. youth national team and the senior squad, scored two goals, further contributing to the USWNT’s decisive 6-0 victory against Paraguay. This match marked her 14th cap and seventh start with the senior team, bringing her total international goals to six alongside three assists. After taking over the No. 9 position following Turner’s exit, she consistently found herself in threatening positions, facilitating scoring opportunities for her teammates.

Rodman also found her moment to shine, scoring in the 55th minute after being set up by Washington Spirit teammate Tara Rudd with an over-the-top pass. Rodman skillfully controlled the ball and executed a few touches before decisively finishing to extend the lead to 3-0.

Paraguay initially sought to limit the USWNT’s effectiveness by employing a five-man defense and maintaining a high line. However, this strategy faltered in the second half as the USWNT displayed increased pace, intensity, and organization, adeptly exploiting the spaces on the flanks. Paraguay struggled to contain the USWNT’s outside backs, who made relentless runs down the line, resulting in the U.S. consistently outnumbering Paraguay in the box. Overall, it was a challenging evening for a team that has historically found it difficult to compete against the Americans.