Angel City Football Club (ACFC) defender Emily Sams and defender Gisele Thompson have been called up to the January 2026 US Women’s National Team (USWNT) training camp following an announcement from U.S Soccer on January 8, 2026, making the roster of 26 total players all from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Sams, who is ACFC’s latest signing following a trade with Orlando Pride, has represented the United States across multiple youth national team levels, earning experience with the U.S. U-19, U-20, and U-23 Women’s National Teams. In 2024, she received her first senior U.S. Women’s National Team call-up and was named to the United States roster that captured the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Sams made her senior international debut on Oct. 27, 2024, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 friendly victory over Iceland.
Thompson, who received her third senior U.S. Women’s National Team call-up, has progressed through the U.S. Youth National Team system, competing at both the U-17 and U-20 levels. She helped the United States win gold at the 2023 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship and earn bronze at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she recorded both a goal and two assists during the tournament. Thompson was also a participant in the U.S. Futures Camp in January 2025 and made her senior USWNT debut during the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.
Training camp will be held at Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP) in Carson, Calif., from Jan. 17–27, followed by two international friendly matches. The first match will take place against Paraguay on Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m. PT at DHSP and will air on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. The second match is scheduled for Jan. 27 at 7:00 p.m. PT against Chile at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, Calif., and will air on TBS and HBO Max. Both matches will also be available in Spanish on Universo, Peacock, and Futbol de Primera Radio, and in English on Westwood One Radio.
