Alyssa and Gisele Thompson selected to USWNT roster for SheBelieves Cup

Sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson were named to the United States national team roster for the SheBelieves Cup.

The former Harvard-Westlake High stars are the third sister pairing in USWNT history to be named to the same roster. The Fair sisters (Lorrie and Ronnie) were called up in the late 1990s and the Mewis sisters (Samantha and Kristie) were on the 2021 Olympic Team.

The tournament, which also includes Japan, Australia and Colombia, kicks off Feb. 20 with the USWNT facing Colombia and Japan facing Australia at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. Three days later, action moves to State Farm Stadium in Arizona. The USWNT will meet Australia and Colombia takes on Japan. Action will conclude Feb. 26 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego as the U.S. faces Japan and Australia plays Colombia.

Gisele, 19, trained with the first team in June, but has yet to make her senior national team debut. Gisele was a member of the 2022 FIFA U-17 World Cup roster and last year’s U-20 World Cup roster.  She is one of four teenagers on the SheBelieves Cup 23-player roster.

“With Alyssa, she came back into the national team last October after a period out and I think without question she has to develop in many ways,” USWNT coach Emma Hayes said. “This is the time to do it. She’s got a lot of qualities as an individual, but getting her to understand her role in and out of possession is something we’ve been working really, really hard and we’ve seen the progress.

“I think with Gisele, she’s shown her attacking qualities from a fullback area, not just at the under 20s, but in the Futures Camp, where she impressed. Again, I want to see where that gap is to Emily Fox and the type of development we’ve got to get right for a player like Gisele and for me this is an opportunity for both of the Thompson twins (sisters) to not only show a lot about who they are as players. I’m sure they’re pretty excited about coming to camp as sisters.”

The sisters recently signed contract extensions with Angel City through 2028.

“I am just happy to continue playing with Gisele and helping contribute to the club’s success. I’m really excited for our future,” Alyssa, 20, said last week.

Savy King, newly acquired by Angel City, will be one of three players training with the national team, but will not be on the game roster. Washington Spirit defender and Newbury Park native Tara McKeown (Newbury Park HS/USC) also received her first senior national team call-up.