eagles.rugby — Ready to kick off the upcoming 2025-26 HSBC SVNS season, USA Women’s Eagles Sevens Head Coach Emilie Bydwell and staff have named the traveling squad for the first two stops in Dubai (Nov. 29-30) and Cape Town (Dec. 6-7). USA fans can catch all the action on Paramount+. [lead photo: Alex Ho @hoiho_photo]

USA will open their campaign in Dubai’s iconic Sevens Stadium in Pool A against Fiji at 2:20 a.m. ET, followed by matches against New Zealand (5:21 a.m.) and France (8:05 a.m.) to earn their way into the knockout stages. See the full schedule.

With HSBC SVNS New York confirmed just yesterday to host the USA stop March 14-15, fans have even more reason to get behind the new roster of Eagles opening this season next week.

Under the leadership of captain Kristi Kirshe, veterans Spiff Sedrick, Ariana Ramsey and Sarah Levy return bringing skill and experience, with some new faces excited to inject their own energy and playing style on the field. In line to make their sevens debuts are Nalu Liufau and Tahna Wilfley, both recent Jr Pan Am Games team players, and Erica Coulibaly who put her pace on display on the XVs field at England Rugby World Cup 2025. Also to watch are Ashley Cowdrey who made her USA Eagles debut last season at LA SVNS and Kaylen Thomas (lead photo) returning from injury ready to pick up where she left off.

 

Bydwell commented on the roster and what fans can expect this upcoming season.

“We are really excited to get this season underway. The offseason has been a transformational period for our program— sharpening how we think about and play the game in the ways that maximize the strengths of our group and create long‑term competitive advantages.

“Last season was about form and foundation; this season is about raising the frame of our program, our style of play, and our culture as we move through the next three seasons toward Los Angeles. We know we are still early in our journey, but we’re eager to step onto the world stage and test how dynamic, adaptive, and courageous we can be within our new processes.

 

“After running two intensive combines in July and November, our selection group is extremely competitive, and we’re thrilled to award three new caps in Dubai. Tahna Wifley and Nalu Liufau, who joined us as 18‑year‑old residents and gained invaluable experience under Irene Gardner at the Junior Pan American Games, are now ready to contribute at the senior level. Erica Coulibaly, outstanding throughout the Rugby World Cup, brings an additional layer of power and physicality to our team. We are proud of the work put in by this group and excited for what lies ahead.”

With the final installment of player evaluation still underway, all players selected for this tour have committed to the LA 2028 cycle and were required to undergo an intensive Combine block to claim their space on the roster. The Combine presented an opportunity for both players and the overall program to challenge physical and professional standards, and asked players to define their roles within the team.

 

This opening tour marks an exciting time not only for the players to put their stamp on the season but for American fans nationwide to tune in and get behind the squad, especially with the recently confirmed USA stop of the SVNS Series set to take place in New York in March 2026. Fans can sign up for the New York ticket presale at https://usasvns.com/new-york-presale.

All Tour stops will be broadcast on Paramount+, crescendo-ing in the chance to watch the USA Women’s Eagles Sevens favorite players in person at home in the Big Apple.

2025 HSBC SVNS Roster: Dubai & Cape Town

*Traveling reserve

USA 2025 Dubai Fixtures

Nov 29 (All times ET)
2:20 a.m. v Fiji
5:21 a.m. v New Zealand
8:05 a.m. v France

Nov 30
1:48 a.m. Knockouts begin