USWNT’s Roster Development Under Emma Hayes
As June begins, the head coach of the United States women’s national soccer team, Emma Hayes, is approaching her self-imposed deadline to solidify the roster’s key players for future competitions. After securing a pair of convincing victories—3-0 against China on May 31 and a dominant 4-0 triumph over Jamaica the following Tuesday—Hayes continues the search for her core lineup.
Key Players and Goalkeeping Situation
While these contests didn’t present the same level of challenge as Brazil did in April, they provided opportunities for new players to debut. Earlier in this training window, Hayes expressed optimism about narrowing down her primary group of players as the team prepares for the 2027 World Cup. She also hinted at potential key positions, specifically regarding who might emerge as the next starting goalkeeper following the recent match against Jamaica.
Observing the team’s evolution, Hayes noted,
“The players are starting to reflect the style I envision,”
suggesting the players are adapting well to her strategies and mindset.
The USWNT is currently experiencing an unprecedented phase in their history concerning goalkeeping, with a frontrunner emerging for the No. 1 spot—Phallon Tullis-Joyce. She earned two of her three caps during this window after a solid showing against Brazil. In matches where the USWNT enjoyed significant possession—achieving 82% against Jamaica—Tullis-Joyce was relatively untested, but her leadership qualities began to shine through. Hayes emphasized the importance of cultivating multiple goalkeepers while acknowledging Tullis-Joyce’s current edge, stating,
“Her experience puts her ahead of the others at this time, although I plan to continue developing all our goalkeeping options.”
The Return of Key Players
Hayes also welcomed the return of star defender Naomi Girma, who had a significant impact on the team’s defensive organization. Describing her return, Hayes remarked,
“Naomi is like getting the Rolls-Royce out of the garage,”
illustrating the quality Girma brings to the backline. In Tuesday’s match, Emily Fox excelled as a forward-supporting fullback, earning an assist on the opening goal. Other notable players included Tara McKeown, who excelled at centerback, and Kerry Abello, who made her international debut, showcasing the depth the team is developing in key positions.
Emerging Young Talents
Young talents such as 17-year-old Lily Yohannes demonstrated exceptional potential during the match, contributing to the first goal against Jamaica. Positioned as a central attacking midfielder rather than a box-to-box player, her performance suggests she is ready for significant contributions in the future alongside other promising players like Claire Hutton.
Forward Line and Upcoming Challenges
In the forward line, Catarina Macario is poised to be a crucial player for the USWNT, especially in the striker position—though she often plays more comfortably in a No. 10 role. Hayes has employed wingers like Alyssa Thompson to exploit this setup, with Thompson shining in the latest match.
Notably, Ally Sentnor has been impressive, netting two goals in Tuesday’s victory and creating scoring opportunities reminiscent of past USWNT greats. Lynn Biyendolo also made an impact off the bench with two goals, affirming her position within the lineup.
Despite the youth and inexperience within the squad, Hayes feels optimistic about the maturity the team displayed. She acknowledged tougher challenges ahead, with a pivotal matchup against Canada on July 2. Yet, the breadth of player talent and the clarity of the team’s playing style have markedly improved since last year. By next month, Hayes aims to have defined her core unit as the team moves closer to preparing for the crucial World Cup.
