Thompson Sisters Set Historical Starting Record as USWNT Faces Japan in San Jose Friendly

Alyssa and Gisele Thompson make USWNT history with record starts as Sophia Wilson returns to the pitch in San Jose against Japan.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 12, 2026, 1:29 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from US Soccer

A Landmark Moment for the Thompson Siblings

The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) made history this Saturday at PayPal Park by naming both Alyssa and Gisele Thompson to the starting eleven against Japan. This selection marks the fourth time the duo has started together for the national side, officially surpassing the previous record of three shared starts held by Samantha and Kristie Mewis. At just 21 and 20 years old respectively, the Thompson sisters continue to cement their status as central figures in the team’s current youth movement, having already appeared in six matches together since Gisele’s debut in early 2025.

Wilson Returns to the Pitch as a Mother

The San Jose fixture serves as a significant personal and professional milestone for forward Sophia Wilson, who earns her 59th cap today. This appearance is Wilson's first for the United States since October 2024, following a hiatus for the birth of her daughter. By taking the field, Wilson becomes the 18th mother to represent the USWNT in its storied history. Should she find the back of the net during the contest, she would join an elite group of only eight other women who have scored international goals for the U.S. while balancing the demands of motherhood.

Stanford Connection Anchors the American Defense

Local fans in Northern California will recognize a distinct collegiate influence in the defensive third, as three former Stanford University standouts feature in the starting lineup. Naomi Girma, a San Jose native, is paired on the backline with Kennedy Wesley, marking a continuation of a partnership that began during their overlapping years in the Stanford program between 2019 and 2022. Sophia Wilson also shares this Cardinal pedigree, though her collegiate career was cut short when she opted to turn professional. This defensive cohesion is expected to be a primary asset against a technically proficient Japanese attack.