Gisele Thompson, a rising star at Angel City Football Club, is preparing for a pivotal year with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) as she enters her third professional season. Having made four appearances for the senior squad last season, Thompson is focused on enhancing her performance ahead of a busy 2026 and the upcoming 2027 World Cup.
During a recent training session at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, Thompson emphasized the importance of consistency and durability. “I know the coaches told me that I need durability, especially since there are so many games in such a short period of time,” she stated. “So, being able to stay on the field is crucial. Last year, I went down a lot in games, especially early on, so I need to focus on being consistent and confident in myself.”
Achieving this goal requires significant effort beyond the pitch. “Weight room, nutrition. There’s a lot that goes into it,” she explained. “I’m working closely with a fantastic support team to help me through it.” As Thompson reflects on her journey, she recognizes the learning curve of transitioning to professional play at a young age. “This being my third year, I’ve learned a lot from different players, and that experience will definitely help me this season.”
The USWNT kicks off its 2026 schedule with an exhibition match against Paraguay on January 27 at 14:30. Following this, the team will travel to Santa Barbara to compete against Chile. Thompson, having foregone college to pursue professional soccer like her sister Alyssa, has made significant strides since her rookie season, where she appeared in 18 games, followed by 23 last season. In a show of commitment, she signed a contract extension with Angel City FC that runs through the 2029 season.
This training camp consists entirely of players from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The subsequent camp will precede the prestigious SheBelieves Cup in March, where the USWNT is set to face Argentina, Colombia, and Canada. “Everyone’s wanting their spot, so it’s super competitive,” Thompson elaborated on the training environment. “It’s always competitive, whether at Angel City or in the NWSL; all the teams are competitive.”
In a related event, U.S. Soccer will honor Christen Press with a pregame retirement celebration before the match against Paraguay. Press, who announced her retirement from professional soccer in October 2023, played her last three seasons with Angel City FC. With 155 appearances for the national team, she scored 64 goals and provided 43 assists. Press was a key player in the 2015 and 2019 World Cup championship teams and contributed to the bronze medal-winning squad at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
As Thompson looks ahead, her commitment to improving her game and securing her place in the national team reflects the growing competitiveness of women’s soccer in the United States.
