Extending the Game: Get to Know the U.S. Women’s CP National Team

The “Extended” in Extended National Teams doesn’t just represent an extension of U.S. Soccer — it embodies an opportunity for anyone to play the game. 

“The 11-a-side game isn't for everyone,” Head of Extended National Teams Stuart Sharp said in a recent episode of The U.S. Soccer Podcast. “We're all shapes. We're different sizes. We have different skill sets.”

The U.S. Women’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team, one of nine U.S. Soccer Extended National Teams, is an integral part of that, providing opportunities to those with different abilities. The team launched in 2022 and has set a standard of excellence since the beginning. Playing its first-ever matches at that year’s IFCPF Women’s World Cup, the team went on a thrilling run at the tournament, culminating with a 4-2 extra-time win against Australia to win the inaugural competition. 

Currently, the CP WNT is on the hunt for another IFCPF title in England. The Americans started red-hot with a 12-1 win against Nepal on Tuesday and a 9-0 victory against Denmark on Wednesday. They’re in action throughout the rest of the week. 

What is the CP WNT?

The Women’s CP National Team is made up of players with Cerebral Palsy, stroke or traumatic brain injury. The program creates pathways that allow players with injury or disability to represent the crest at the highest level.

“We've had individuals who've played [Division] I college, who were born with cerebral palsy and didn't let the impairment get in the way of their sports performance,” Sharp said. “And likewise, we've got players on the team who've had a stroke at one point in their life. Maybe their hand grip is a little bit weaker than it was. Maybe they walk with a very small, slight limp, and they've found a way of continuing in the sport.”

The game is played in two 25-minute halves with a starting lineup of five players. Typically, the lineups include a goalkeeper, one defender, two midfielders and a forward. The team competes in international friendlies and the International Federation of CP Football's (IFCPF) World Cup tournaments.

Who are the players to watch?

When tuning into the IFCPF Women’s Intercontinental Cup this month, captain Cassidy Leake is always one to watch. The reigning 2024 Female CP Player of the Year, Leake led the squad in 2024 with 14 goals, and the defender has represented the U.S. since the inception of the National Team. 

Forward Joey Martin is another to keep an eye on. Martin, another 2022 World Cup champion, recovered from surgery to treat a brain tumor in 2024. Just a year after her second brain surgery, she’s lighting up the scoreboard. Martin notched a hat trick — in a matter of minutes — and two assists in the win over Nepal. 

How to Follow CP WNT?

Fans can follow the Women’s CP National Team via U.S. Soccer’s Extended National Team accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X. The entire IFCPF run can be streamed on the IFCPF YouTube channel throughout the tournament. The full schedule can be found here.