USWNT defenders address Davidson’s 13-month return, Patterson’s growth through 10 caps, and what it takes to survive and thrive in the national team environment
SAN JOSE, Calif. — With the USWNT settled into camp ahead of Friday’s opener against Japan at PayPal Park, defenders Tierna Davidson and Avery Patterson met with media Wednesday morning. One of them returning from a 13-month absence due to injury, the other continuing to establish herself as one of the program’s most promising young pieces.
Together, they offered a window into what it looks like to grow inside one of the most competitive defensive pools in women’s soccer and what it will take to be ready when it matters most.
Davidson: ‘I Feel So Welcome’
For Tierna Davidson, stepping back into the national team environment after 13 months away carried an emotional weight she didn’t try to minimize. The Menlo Park native is back near home for her first camp since the 2025 SheBelieves Cup and she was clearly ready to be back.
“I’m really happy to be back in the environment and to feel the excitement and the support — not just from the staff, but from everyone. I just feel so welcome, and I’m really happy to be able to help the team any way that I can.” — Tierna Davidson
Davidson acknowledged that the team has changed significantly in her absence. With a wave of new players finding their footing under Emma Hayes, she framed that evolution as a source of encouragement rather than anxiety.
“In some ways, I feel like the new player coming back in, because there’s been a lot of evolution, a lot of great players in the pool. But it’s been really fun to watch. To see so many people get that opportunity, and to do so well, has been really encouraging.” — Tierna Davidson
On Coming Back From Injury: ‘Allow Yourself to Slow Down’
When asked what advice she would give to young players working through difficult injuries, Davidson was thoughtful and direct. Drawing from her own experience over the past year she explained how this recovery process helped her look at things from a different perspective.
“An injury forces you to slow down — physically, but also sometimes mentally and emotionally. When you’re so wrapped up in a sport, it often becomes a really significant part of your identity, which is great, but also really difficult when that’s stripped away for months, maybe a year.” — Tierna Davidson
She urged injured players to lean into their communities rather than pull away and to use the time away from the field as an opportunity for growth rather than just a countdown to return.
“It’s really important to be able to take the time to develop outside of the sport while you have to be away from it. Lean into your community. It is very mentally difficult to be away from your team — it’s important to maintain and grow connections with your teammates, your coaches, your parents, your friends. Whoever is in your trusted circle.” — Tierna Davidson
The 1% Culture: Curiosity as a Survival Skill
When asked about the next generation of players coming into the program, Davidson, who was once part of that wave herself alongside players like Mal Swanson at the 2019 World Cup, offered a clear blueprint for what separates players who last from those who don’t.
“To be open in this type of environment is difficult, but it is so important. To be curious, to ask questions, to lean on your teammates — the way that we win is we have players and a team culture of wanting to improve that 1%. The players that have been able to last a long time have that quality, and we see that in the young players coming in today.” — Tierna Davidson
On Seeing Sophia Wilson Back: ‘So Joyful’
Davidson also touched on what it has meant to see fellow Stanford alum Sophia Wilson back in camp with her daughter Gigi.
“Seeing Soph come back has been so joyful. She brings so much energy to this team. To have her back and to have Gigi here as well has been great — to see her as a mother and back in her role as a fantastic player for us.” — Tierna Davidson
Patterson: From Fan to Teammate
For Avery Patterson, the surreal quality of the national team environment has not worn off — and she’s not pretending otherwise.
“Everyone that’s up and coming, or classified as the newcomers — whether people like to admit it or not — we were fans before we were actually players in this environment. To be able to call them my teammates and friends is so cool.” — Avery Patterson
The Houston Dash defender has now appeared in 10 matches for the USWNT since earning her first call-up, and she’s been candid about the learning curve that comes with the step up.
Ten Caps In: The Tactical Education
Asked what has grown most since her first appearance with the national team, Patterson pointed squarely to the tactical side of her game — and the work that happens away from the field.
“As a rookie, you’re just kind of getting your feet underneath you at a level that college can only prepare you so much for. Coming into my second year, it was more of a tactical adjustment. It takes studying the game off the field, watching hours of film, making sure you’re in the right spot off the ball before you get on the ball.” — Avery Patterson
She also gave credit to what is shaping up to be a strong start to the NWSL season with Houston — singling out teammate Kiki Van Zandt, who has been on fire in the early going.
“The Dash has had a tumultuous decade — nine or so coaches in 10 years. To say that we have consistency and a foundation to build on, I think that’s what’s being reflected in the performances we’re putting together now. Kiki Van Zandt deserves all the flowers — she is on fire.” — Avery Patterson
Protecting the Bubble Ahead of 2027
With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, both players spoke to the importance of maintaining the integrity of the team’s internal culture as the spotlight on women’s soccer continues to grow.
“Something that’s really important for a team going into that sort of high-pressure environment is to maintain the sanctity of our circle. How do you create a bubble around your team, and have the people that are important to a successful team in that bubble — and selectively let things in and out? Over the next year, we’re going to hone in on exactly what that looks like.” — Tierna Davidson
The USWNT faces Japan three times this April. The series opens on April 11 at PayPal Park in San Jose, followed by April 14 at Lumen Field in Seattle, and wraps up on April 17 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. Tickets for all three matches are available at ussoccer.com.