Since Emma Hayes assumed leadership of the U.S. women`s national team, a period of strategic experimentation was fully expected. Appointed to revitalize the squad following their disappointing early exit from the 2023 Women`s World Cup, Hayes has utilized the time since their Olympic gold medal victory to broaden the player pool. This allows her to explore options effectively in the two-plus years leading up to the next World Cup. However, the unexpected absence of key attackers Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith – often referred to as the `triple espresso` for their dynamic play – added an unplanned dimension to this phase of experimentation.
Hayes has not had access to this potent trio since the gold medal match in Paris in August. Rodman is currently managing a persistent back injury, while Swanson and Smith are on maternity leave. Their absence was always going to be significant; this group is widely seen as the future driving force of the USWNT`s offensive identity, a reputation they solidified by scoring 10 of the team’s 13 goals at the Olympics.
In the months since they last played together, Hayes has seized the opportunity to test a diverse range of players for roles in the U.S. attack, truly embracing the spirit of experimentation she promised post-Paris. Since the Olympics, Hayes has called up 11 forwards who weren`t part of the team last summer, with 10 of them being 25 years old or younger. The USWNT has netted 22 goals in 11 games during this stretch, conceding only eight. This performance suggests early indications that the team`s attacking depth chart is as robust as it has ever been.
The offensive prowess of the USWNT was clearly demonstrated in Saturday`s 3-0 victory over China. Hayes` side generated an expected goals (xG) tally of 3.01 from 18 shots, frequently exploiting China`s high defensive line. Hayes chose to start Alyssa Thompson, Catarina Macario, and Michelle Cooper, a decision that paid off handsomely. All three played crucial roles in setting up or scoring the three goals. Macario was particularly outstanding with a goal and an assist, while Cooper also contributed an assist. Their play at times felt effortless, a quality Hayes attributed to the entire squad`s diligent work during this experimental period.
“When you`re integrating so many new players as a coach, you aim to progressively reduce the need for tactical adjustments each time you`re together,” Hayes commented after the match. “This week, we made fewer corrections than ever before. This is because players like Avery Patterson, Lily Yohannes, and Michelle Cooper understand their positioning on both offense and defense. Consequently, this elevates the entire group`s level because their tactical understanding is improving. That`s the primary factor.”
Macario and Thompson are relatively more experienced within this new-look attacking contingent. Macario debuted for the national team in 2021, with her time away only due to injury, while Thompson was part of the 2023 World Cup squad. Combined with their strong club performances, this pair is arguably leading Hayes` player pool expansion project. This is particularly true for Macario, who has played as an attacking midfielder for the national team but has recently excelled when deployed as a central forward (No. 9).
“Cat is tough on herself,” Hayes noted. “She scored a goal, and her overall performance was good, but she aspired to a higher level, which is fine. It`s okay for her to have those ambitions. She is a wonderful football player, and we are fortunate to have her, so we are pleased with her contribution.”
Meanwhile, Cooper has integrated smoothly into her third year as a professional and now boasts one goal and one assist in five international appearances. She performed well in a wide attacking role against China on Saturday. While there`s certainly room for further development, she is clearly starting to carve out a significant spot for herself in the USWNT`s attacking hierarchy.
“She`s a firecracker,” Hayes remarked about Cooper. “Truly. I felt her first touch wasn`t her best today, and I told her that… Michelle is someone who, whether she starts or comes off the bench, poses a real threat running in behind defenses. She carries a goal threat not just through chance creation but also finishing. She`s growing into the national team shirt. She brings a lot of personality and charisma to the squad. She`s incredibly coachable, you can be direct with her, and she absorbs that feedback and improves. What I admire immensely about her is her commitment to working hard defensively too. When it`s time to defend, to do the `dirty work,` she`s not afraid to get stuck in.”
Ally Sentnor and Emma Sears complete the group of less-experienced forwards currently on the roster, and both have also made positive impressions early in their senior national team careers. Sentnor was a standout performer during the February SheBelieves Cup and has two goals in eight appearances to date, while Sears has scored once in five caps. This duo could earn another chance to impress on Tuesday when the USWNT concludes the international window with a friendly match against Jamaica.
Hayes acknowledged on Saturday that her work with this group is far from complete, which is entirely understandable for young players gaining international experience for the first time. However, it is undeniable that the U.S. team is making important strides during this transitional phase. This period is re-invigorating the highly competitive nature of the national team environment, which is likely to make roster selection decisions very challenging for Hayes closer to the next World Cup in two years.
“We aimed for more dynamic rotations to pull their wide players out of position,” Hayes explained. “I thought we executed that very effectively in the first half. Where we fell short was sometimes trying to force passes into central spaces between defenders when the better opportunity was actually in behind them, leading to some overplaying. They gave us certain spaces, and we took them, but I`m asking the players to deliver a performance with patience, so I won`t overly criticize that. I genuinely feel we`ve progressed tactically to another level. I really believe that. I feel that so many more players are demonstrating greater control and capability. Overall, I was pleased with the performance.”
