Dahlien and Menti Make USWNT Debuts in 6-0 Win Over Paraguay

After an exciting pre-game announcement that Seattle is set to host the United States Women’s National Team in a fierce matchup against longtime rival Japan at Lumen Field on April 14, the U.S. Women’s National Team downed Paraguay 6-0 in the first of two friendly matches to close out the squad’s January camp. 

Seattle Reign FC, alongside the Washington Spirit, led all NWSL teams in call ups for the January window, with five apiece. The Reign saw goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, defender Jordyn Bugg and midfielder Sam Meza selected to join the Stars and Stripes once again, in addition to midfielder Sally Menti and Maddie Dahlien, who both received their first-ever senior national team inclusions. 

Against Paraguay, Dahlien, Dickey and Menti were available off the bench to start the match, eagerly awaiting the action to come in the second half. 

The United States got off to a hot start, immediately getting into the offensive third to challenge Paraguay in just the third all-time meeting between the two teams. Despite the U.S. outshooting Paraguay and enjoying the lion’s share of possession in the first 45 minnutes, it took until the third minute of stoppage time for Reilyn Turner to break the deadlock between the two teams. Her first-ever goal for the nation sent the United States into the locker room up 1-0. 

After the halftime break, Head Coach Emma Hayes made one immediate adjustment, bringing Croix Bethune onto the field for Turner. It was clear from the first whistle of the half that United States was determined to get on the board again – and fast. 

It took just two minutes for Ally Sentnor to open the scoring of the half and from there, the United States did not slow down, adding four more goals before the end of the match. 

In the 63rd minute of the match, Reign FC’s own Dahlien and Menti subbed onto the pitch, to make their first-ever appearances for the United States Women’s National Team and bringing the number of debuts under Hayes to 30. 

The debutant duo dawned number 21 and 17 respectively as they immediately settled into the match. A little over ten minutes into their shift, Dahlien proved to be a problem for Paraguay, terrorizing the left side of the field with her pace, paired with her crafty footwork on the ball. 

From the outside of the field, the 21-year-old beat her defender and sliced a ball into the box, where her teammates were waiting to pounce, but much to the team’s dismay, were instead flagged offside. Despite the play being stopped, the Edina, Minnesota native's skill was on full display, giving fans and foes alike something to keep an eye on. 

Seattle’s duo connected just two minutes later, as Dahlien once again tore down the left side of the field and spun her defender to advance toward the touchline and cross the ball. Her near post service forced Paraguay’s goalkeeper to take action. She bobbled the ball, allowing Menti to nearly tap it into the back of the net, but not quite. 

Menti had another near chance in the final ten minutes of the match as Sentnor served a ball from the right side of the box, scoping out her late run into the center of the box. Menti connected with the ball, sending it just wide to the left of goal. 

Seven minutes later, the referee blew the final whistle, closing out the United States Women’s National Team’s first win of 2026, as well as Dahlien and Menti’s first caps with the squad. 

The USWNT plays one more match to conclude January camp, taking on Chile at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California on Tuesday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m. PT. Follow along with the action on TBS and HBO Max in English, Universo and Peacock in Spanish, and on the radio in English on Westwood One and in Spanish on Futbol de Primera.

Fans looking to secure tickets to the USWNT vs. Japan at Lumen Field on April 14 can become a Reign FC Season Ticket Member to immediately lock in their seats for the international friendly or stay tuned for a two-match bundle that will go on sale beginning January 29 at 10:00 a.m. PT and includes the USWNT match on April 14 and Reign FC’s match against defending NWSL Champion Gotham FC on May 15 at Lumen Field.