Naomi Girma shone at the international window in Louisville, scoring for the U.S. women’s national team to secure their third win. However, the actual highlight of the October camp was the extensive player assessment conducted by head coach Emma Hayes. Having taken over the position in May, Hayes affirmed the importance of club form and capitalised on the Olympics celebrations to evaluate the team’s whole Olympic squad. Despite restrictions, Hayes managed to call up every fit Olympic squad member and utilised the remaining roster positions effectively.
Hayes’ recruitment approach gave all seven uncapped players, including a late addition during camp, their first USWNT appearances. Washington Spirit’s Hal Hershfelt and Orlando Pride’s Emily Sams had been in France as alternates but were denied field time. Racing Louisville forward Emma Sears promptly impressed in her debut match, becoming only the fourth player in the history of the program to score a goal and make an assist in their debut match. Bay FC defender Alyssa Malonson also had her first assist in her debut match against Argentina, with Eva Gaetino, Mandy Haught and Yazmeen Ryan completing the roster.
The international window also saw some triumphant returns. Ashley Sanchez and Hailie Mace returned against Argentina, and Alyssa Thompson scored her first international goal. Hayes’ focused assessment strategy, combined with several multi-goal wins, suggests her approach is working. On top of this, Hayes also guided the team through their first experience of recovery following a goal deficit, demonstrating another aspect of their form.
The value of the recent friendlies as an indication of future performance is not yet clear, but they seem to form part of a larger strategy. As the 2024 second half feels like a recovery and planning period, the upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and England could offer something different. However, as Hayes has demonstrated a preference for extensive evaluation throughout her role, these matches may also be utilized in the same manner.
Hayes has previously shown her aptitude for navigating key moments and has used her roster depth to expose various players to high-profile tournaments. The November 30 match against England will probably feature the strongest squad available, but Hayes might still use the fixture as an opportunity to evaluate players. This strategy could ensure that players crucial to the team’s future success gain experience in prestigious arenas such as Wembley Stadium.
Hayes’ plans to run a Futures Camp in January alongside the senior team camp, which offers a glimpse of what’s to come. While the USWNT hasn’t conducted a talent and identification camp since 2019, Hayes is promising a comprehensive approach, particularly after the U20 and U17 teams’ World Cup semi-final appearances. Hayes’ leadership, which includes leading the team to Olympic gold, has opened up new possibilities, and her intensive evaluation strategy is likely to continue. The recent three games were just the beginning of the preparation for the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles-hosted Olympics.
