The 2026 SheBelieves Cup is creating excitement across the United States, but for U.S. women’s national team forward Emma Sears, this tournament carries an even deeper personal meaning. The Ohio native is preparing to represent the national team in front of her hometown crowd in Columbus, Ohio, turning the international tournament into a memorable milestone in her growing career.
For Sears, stepping onto the field at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field will feel like a full-circle moment. Growing up in nearby Dublin, Ohio, she once watched matches from the stands as a young soccer fan. Now, she will take the field wearing the U.S. jersey, supported by dozens of family members and friends who will be in attendance for the match against Canada on March 4.
The forward, who has steadily established herself within the national team setup since making her debut in 2024, says the opportunity to play in front of familiar faces makes the moment even more meaningful. The emotional connection to the city, combined with the excitement of international competition, has turned the tournament into one of the most memorable chapters of her career so far.
Emma Sears and the SheBelieves Cup 2026
| Tournament | SheBelieves Cup 2026 |
|---|---|
| Host City | Columbus, Ohio |
| Venue | ScottsMiracle-Gro Field |
| Match | United States vs Canada |
| Date | March 4, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 6:45 PM |
The SheBelieves Cup is one of the premier international tournaments in women’s soccer and regularly features some of the strongest teams in the world. For the United States, it also serves as an important opportunity to evaluate players as the program prepares for upcoming global competitions.
A Special Homecoming for Emma Sears
Emma Sears’ connection to the Columbus area goes back to her early soccer days. She attended Dublin Jerome High School, where she developed into one of the top young players in the state. During her high school career, Sears became a three-year starter and earned first-team All-Ohio honors in both her junior and senior seasons.
A special homecoming for Emma Sears ❤️🤍💙 pic.twitter.com/I8cY1mb5K0
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 4, 2026
Her journey continued at Ohio State University, where she enjoyed an impressive collegiate career. Across five seasons with the Buckeyes, she recorded 25 goals and 15 assists, establishing herself as one of the most productive attackers in the program.
Returning to the same city now as a national-team player adds emotional significance to her appearance in the SheBelieves Cup.
From College Star to Professional Soccer
| Career Stage | Team | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| High School | Dublin Jerome HS | All-Ohio First Team Honors |
| College | Ohio State Buckeyes | 25 goals and 15 assists |
| Professional | Racing Louisville FC | Record rookie season with five goals |
| International | US Women’s National Team | 14 caps and 6 goals |
Sears’ professional career began when she was selected in the NWSL Draft by Racing Louisville FC. Despite being a later pick, she quickly proved her value by earning a starting role within months of joining the team.
By the end of her rookie season, she had already set a club rookie scoring record, drawing the attention of national team coaches and opening the door to international opportunities.
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Impact with the U.S. Women’s National Team
Emma Sears made her USWNT debut in October 2024 in a friendly match against Iceland. The forward wasted little time making an impression, scoring shortly after coming off the bench.
Since that debut, Sears has continued to grow as an attacking option for the national team. She has already scored six international goals, including a standout hat trick against New Zealand during a match last October.
Her performances have demonstrated her ability to contribute both as a starter and as an impact substitute.
Praise from the Coaching Staff
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has spoken positively about Sears’ development within the squad. According to Hayes, the forward’s work ethic and decision-making have improved significantly since joining the national team setup.
The coaching staff values Sears’ ability to create attacking opportunities and her willingness to make quick decisions in the final third. Hayes has also highlighted the forward’s resilience and determination, especially considering that her path to the national team did not follow the traditional youth-national-team route.
