GOAL and INDIVISA writers discuss USWNT's split with Brazil, Thompson's rise and Hayes' experimentation with squad
Emma Hayes likes to experiment. That much is clear. The USWNT are missing a handful of starters due to injury. Hayes' solution? Rest some of the other big names, and see how deep her player pool is.
She now has more answers. And after a mixed camp, with one win and one loss against Brazil over the last week, the former Chelsea boss is getting increased clarity as to where her squad stands ahead of the 2027 Women's World Cup.
There were a lot of good things to be taken from the two fixtures. Alyssa Thompson was excellent. Cat Macario stood out. Some of the USWNT's attacking play was stellar. But there were also some concerns, highlighted by an unsteady midfield and backline that looked shaky without the influence of Naomi Girma.
Still, if this was about learnings, then Hayes can see the last 10 days as nothing but a success. But what exactly has she learned? After losing to both Japan and Brazil in 2025, should their be concerns? And where do the USWNT go from here?
GOAL US and INDIVISA writers break it all down in a USWNT edition of… The Rondo.
Getty ImagesThe USWNT have lost two of their last three games – should Hayes be worried?
Ryan Tolmich: Not at all. If you’re going to lose, lose now and lose to some of the world’s best teams. This camp was a perfect mix of reasons for confidence and humility, which is just what Hayes will want. The USWNT know they can beat the world’s best, but they also know it isn’t guaranteed. With two years remaining until the World Cup, that’s a good lesson to keep driving home.
Celia Balf: Absolutely not. If anything, more questions have been answered. The record in Hayes' first 20 games is now 16-2-2, and the two losses are against a very good Japan team at the SheBelieves Cup and then Brazil. Hayes experimented in both matches against Brazil, playing two very different starting XIs. The first game was a more expected lineup, with a mix of veterans and new players. Tuesday, however, it was collectively the youngest starting XI in her tenure, average age of 22. Did that show? Yes. The lack of experience showed up in transitional moments, and in front of the goal. This is OK, though, because of when it happened – years before a major international tournament.
Jacob Schneider: Not a bit. The stars were rested and Hayes gave opportunities to a lot of young, fringe players who – in normal circumstances – would be with the U23 camp. It was an unfortunate loss, and it did come with veterans on the pitch after multiple substitutions, but there's no need to worry.
AdvertisementImagnWho was the big winner of the USWNT camp?
RT: The last World Cup run may have been a bit premature, but Alyssa Thompson will sure as hell be ready for the next one. Breaking up Triple Espresso won’t be easy but, during this period where that group isn’t together – Trinity Rodman played just one of the two games against Brazil, and neither Sophia Wilson or Mallory Swanson were in this camp – Thompson looks like the clear favorite to force her way into that attack. She was fantastic during this camp and remains a young player to watch as she blossoms into superstardom.
CB: Clearly Alyssa Thompson. She didn't score, but she proved a point. She's a threat out wide, has the pace to keep up and pass some of the world's best players, and creates absolute chaos on the attack. Thompson's vision to draw in defenders only to then slip a pass to Rodman was exceptional and just a couple days later, she had similar moments setting up Cat Macario for a goal.
JS: It's both Thompson ad Cat Macario, the Chelsea forward who was stupendous in both matches. Thompson was immense in game two with her electrifying pace and work rate in the final-third. With the Alex Morgan era over, and Wilson out due to her pregnancy, it seems that Hayes has found at least two more reliable options in the attack to help when the likes of Swanson, Rodman and Rose Lavelle are not available.
AFPWho had the most disappointing camp?
RT: Just in general, there are major concerns about the midfield. Lindsey Heaps and Sam Coffey are locked in and those behind them aren’t really pushing them. Korbin Albert hasn’t impressed in a while and, playing next to her, Claire Hutton didn’t really standout either. Albert, in particular, needed to show more as she looks to keep her place in a very crowded, but flawed, midfield picture. It's Hayes’ job to figure out some recipe that works. Right now, though, it’s still hard to make something that taste good out of the midfield ingredients at Hayes’ disposal.
CB: This is a tough one. I do think the biggest disappointment of the camp overall was the play of USWNT's backline. It was shaky, in both games. Not much composure and possession, and passes out of the back were rarely converted. As a result, Heaps and Coffey were underutilized as an outlet pass out of the back.
JS: The central defenders. With both Girma and Davidson sidelined, Hayes needed some standout performances to determine the second string pairing. Tara McKeown did well in game one, but struggled in game two, while Alana Cook had a howler of a showing in match two, as well. Emily Sonnett didn't really put a foot wrong, but she didn't particularly stand out, either.
Getty Images SportIf the World Cup started today, who's your back four?
RT: If it starts today, Naomi Girma is on the field, even if her centerback partner’s sole job is to hold her up on her feet, so we’ll start there. Girma is the best defender in the world and she’ll be back soon. Another unfortunate injury knocked out Davidson, but Sonnett is still fine. Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox are, for now, also fine at fullback. But it all starts with Girma, who is the most irreplaceable player in the USWNT pool.
CB: Fox, Girma, Sonnett and Dunn. But that's today. Much can happen between now and 2027.
JS: If everyone is healthy, Fox, Girma, Davidson and Dunn. Left back is surely a debate at this moment. Jenna Nighswonger is being converted into a midfielder at Arsenal, and the other options on the table are inexperienced pros. Dunn has been reliable and it's become increasingly clear that she is comfortable in that role, despite being a midfielder/forward by trade.