GOAL and INDIVISA writers debate the state of the USWNT after two impressive showings in international friendlies
Another window, another excellent pair of results for the USWNT. Emma Hayes has the U.S. rolling once again. Entering the friendlies, the USWNT was coming off a pair of close losses earlier this year – to Japan and Brazil – and was playing with a roster missing three of its top players in Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson.
But with back-to-back wins – 3-0 over China last weekend and then 4-0 over Jamaica on Tuesday – Hayes improved her USWNT record to 18-2-2 since debuting with the team last June, and reinforcing her status as one of the best managers in the game.
She's been excellent in her first year in charge. It's not just the Olympic gold medal. The former Chelsea boss has ushered in a new era of talent, expanded the player pool, and showed why this side could be very, very good for many years to come. And this window was no different.
Her favored front three are all out? No worries, here's a rejuvenated Alyssa Thompson and a charging Ally Sentnor. Need help in central midfield? How about the tempo-controlling 17-year-old Lily Yohannes?
It all makes for positive vibes around a team that has an admittedly long ramp to the next major tournament in the 2027 World Cup. The results are good, but are they meaningful?
And with questions around an uncertain goalkeeper situation, are the U.S. any closer to figuring out who will be between the sticks when the games start to count for something?
GOAL and INDIVISA writers debate the state of the USWNT after a pair of impressive showings in international friendlies in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
Getty ImagesWho was the surprise performer in this camp?
Ryan Tolmich: She's only turns 18 next week, but there aren't many better passers in the world than Yohannes. She's rapidly evolving into one of the most fun players to watch in the USWNT, largely due to her innate ability to make the near-impossible look so effortless. Her passing range is ridiculous, as is her vision, allowing her to dictate games in ways that few players in the world can. The scary thing is that she's getting better, too. If she can add some goals to her game, Yohannes will be a special, special player – and in truth, she probably already is.
Celia Balf: Lo’eau LaBonta. Being called into camp and then earning her first cap at 32 years old was absolutely something special. But the way she fit into the game with the utmost poise and delivery showed she deserved to be out there – and be out there. The midfield is a tough place to enter on the USWNT, yet she came in for Cat Macario in win over China as the nine and held her own. And then she came in for Sam Coffey in the midfield against Jamaica.
Jacob Schneider: The real surprise was from someone who didn't perform. It was rather strange that Crystal Dunn didn't get a look. Seems her veteran presence might be appreciated a bit more – tough for her to not get in against Jamaica, and – unless there was some injury issue – perhaps this is a sign that she's on the outside looking in.
AdvertisementGetty Images Is Alyssa Thompson a starter going forward?
RT: Until someone proves otherwise, absolutely. Even when Triple Espresso does come back, they might return to a USWNT featuring a very different version of Thompson – one that has taken a huge leap forward in confidence and ability. Her pace makes her an absolute menace, while her decision-making in front of goal has seemingly improved, as well. No attacker is just walking into a fully fit starting lineup, given the amount of options up front. But Thompson made a strong case to be a go-to starter.
CB: Yep. Her speed is unmatched on the wing, plus she has been involved in almost every goal the USWNT has scored in the past few games. She may not be scoring much herself – yet – but her delivery, and the chaos that she brings to the opponent’s backline is on another level. She also complements Cat Macario really well with runs off of her.
JS: Absolutely, especially with Wilson, Rodman Swanson all unavailable. Without question, she is a locked-in starter.
Getty Images Sport What are the takeaways from the goalkeeper competition?
RT: Realistically, not much, except for the fact that Phallon Tullis-Joyce is Hayes' pick for No. 1 at the moment. That situation is fluid, of course, but the fact that the Manchester United goalkeeper started both games is a pretty clear indication that she is, at the very least, near the top of the list. There will be other opportunities for the contenders in the future, but for now, Tullis-Joyce has done nothing to hurt her case to be the USWNT starter.
CB: Hayes has Tullis-Joyce at the top, for now. Earning back-to-back starts is a statement, and two clean sheets is another. Granted, Tullis-Joyce hasn’t been fully tested, with both games being snooze-fests for the USWNT defensively. But getting minutes and earning a clean sheet is never a bad thing for a keeper. The USWNT have a bit of a break before the next group of friendlies, so we’ll see if Emma brings another new keeper into the mix, as she did with this camp.
JS: Tullis-Joyce is the starter at the moment, but we haven't learned much her. Rarely tested across both matches, she's yet to have a real challenge on the international stage. However, Hayes seems to trust her – which is not something to be taken granted.
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Getty ImagesWere these two victories meaningful?
RT: Not particularly. The USWNT plays some of the sport's heavy-hitters throughout a calendar year – and these two teams were not that. Was this productive? Yes. Will players have learned some lessons? Sure. But are these two games that, ultimately, will have any impact? Not really, at least on a team level, particularly in comparison to the last window's battles with Brazil.
CB: Yes and no. Near-term, no. But in the big picture? Yes. Nearly every game the USWNT plays matters. While the result may not move any kind of needle or alter global standings, it’s all part of fitting into the larger vision that Hayes has for this team. No one likes to win more than Emma, so to say the results don’t mean anything will never be true. However, now is the time for her to experiment, for things to not necessarily be perfect. That's how players learn, and it gives Hayes time to correct.
JS: It's progress for the team from the perspective of growth and unity. This is a new-look core compared to last summer. Sure, there are a few familiar faces, but this group is relatively young – the starting XI against Jamaica had the fewest combined caps of any USWNT in the past 24 years – and is still learning and uniting. So in that respect, yes, the results matter.