Sophia Wilson and Tierna Davidson rejoin the USWNT for a marquee series vs. Japan

The U.S. women’s soccer team will welcome back two stars next week when it gathers for a three-game series against fellow power Japan.

Forward Sophia Wilson returns from maternity leave and should see her first national team action in 15 months. She’d become the 18th mother to play for the U.S. women, and if she scores, the ninth player to achieve that feat as a mom.

Centerback Tierna Davidson is also in the fold again for the first time in 13 months, having recovered from a torn ACL. Though manager Emma Hayes has fostered a lot of competition at the spot, a healthy Davidson goes high up the depth chart right away.

The duo joins a veteran-laden roster that feels the closest manager Emma Hayes has come to a full deck since the Olympics. Naomi Girma, Emily Fox, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Heaps, Jaedyn Shaw, Rose Lavelle, Trinity Rodman, and Alyssa Thompson are all aboard.

Catarina Macario is the biggest card missing, and her recent move to the NWSL’s San Diego Wave ensures it won’t belong before she’s in the fold too.

There’s still room for youth in the 26-player roster, and of those names have put themselves firmly in the race for next year’s World Cup. Defenders Lilly Reale and Gisele Thompson; midfielders Claire Hutton, Olivia Moultrie, and Lily Yohannes; and forwards Ally Sentnor and Emma Sears lead that group.

» READ MORE: The USWNT wins fans with its stars, but keeps winning games with its depth

Japan will arrive fresh off its third Asian Cup championship in four editions. The Nadeshiko have always been a great foil for the Americans, and this series will continue that legacy.

“As our team continues to evolve, it will be great to welcome back Sophia and Tierna, who are not only great players but also contribute positively to our team environment,” Hayes said in a statement ahead of a news conference later Wednesday.

“Japan is undoubtedly one of the top teams in the world, and they are performing at a very high level coming off their Asian Cup title, which was impressive to watch. Playing the same country three times in a row, and especially a team that is as dedicated to their style as Japan, will be a massive test for our team.”

Though Japan hadn’t named its squad yet when the U.S. made its announcement, expect to see stars including playmaker Yui Hasegawa and longtime centerback Saki Kumagai. The NWSL contingent could be led by North Carolina Courage attacking midfielder Manaka Matsukubo and Utah Royals forward Mina Tanaka.

All three games will be played out west: April 11 in San Jose, Calif. (5:30 p.m., TNT, Universo), April 14 in Seattle (10 p.m., TNT, Universo), and April 17 in Commerce City, Colo. (9 p.m., TNT, Universo).

» READ MORE: Meet Huntingdon Valley-bred Erica Dambach, who built Penn State’s pipeline to the USWNT

Goalkeepers (3): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United, England)

Defenders (9): Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal, England), Naomi Girma (Chelsea, England), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC), Emily Sams (Angel City FC), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave)

Midfielders (7): Sam Coffey (Manchester City, England), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, France), Claire Hutton (Bay FC), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, France)

Forwards (7): Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current),Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Kansas City Current), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea, England), Sophia Wilson (Portland Thorns)