SheBelieves that the Hayes is still experimenting.

When Emma Hayes took over the USWNT reins, the player pool needed serious work after a disappointing World Cup performance featuring a shrinking rotation of preferred players. Hayes knew what she needed to do to evolve from that underperformance. The shrinking pool wasn’t about the talent at the USWNT manager’s disposal. It was about a group of decision makers who failed to prepare a succession plan for when a golden generation of players retired. 

Hayes has accomplished her goal in spades. 

A record number of players donned a USWNT kit for the first time over the past year, with the addition of the U23 camp further stretching the scope and familiarity of players who could step into any given role. 

However, with competitive fixtures on the horizon and players returning from hiatus in anticipation of 2027, the preferred 23-player roster has to come into focus.

Sunday’s win over Argentina helped focus some of that conversation.

The XI was rotated with an eye on Wednesday’s date with Canada, which left room to hyperanalyze where Hayes might be looking to narrow the scope. 

In goal, the job seems like Dickey’s to lose given her season in Seattle, but Hayes hasn’t been ready to name her as GK1 over Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who is also enjoying a nice run of form this season. 

The Backline.

Moving to the defenders, this match illuminated a few of the bigger question marks, even moreso in light of the injury to Lilly Reale. Maddie Dahlien and Giselle Thompson bookended a CB pairing of Kennedy Wesley and Tara Rudd. Rudd and Wesley were their typical selves, solid, and providing good mobility – Wesley completed four of five line-breaking pass attempts. 

Where does Tierna Davidson fit into all of this?

Will we see a back three of Sams, Girma, and Sonnett on Wednesday?

In Hayes’s experimentation this weekend, the formation broke down in the wide spaces, specifically with Dahlien, who found it difficult to stamp her mark on the match. More due to the match concentrating down the right side through the first half than to Dahlien’s play, specifically.

Hayes asked Dahlien to push high into the wing, and Argentina neutralized her with the positioning of Domínguez and Morcillo, which then allowed Olivia Moultrie to float into the channel and create some danger. 

Lilly Reale came on in the second but was replaced after 28 minutes by Emily Fox after a tough tackle. LB is still the position that seems ripe for someone to step in as crucial depth. The starting duo is most likely Avery Patterson and Fox, with G. Thompson and Kate Wiesner also in the discussion on the right and left sides, respectively. A big position to watch heading into the key match with Canada and the experimentation that will come next weekend against Colombia.

The Midfield.

Hayes’s midfield core seems set at this point – shouts for Hal Hershfelt aside – but the starting trio seems to be in flux. They’ve looked their best with Hutton-Coffey-Lavelle, but Hutton-Heaps-Yohannes was also effective vs Italy and could give Heaps her best opportunity to play in a more advanced role – especially if Ally Sentnor is starting at the top of the formation. Sentnor and Heaps could replicate some of Heaps' magic at Lyon while playing under Ada Hegerberg, at the very least cutting down on the occasions where Heaps and [insert pivot here] are occupying the same spaces. 

Heaps’ goal and assist vs Argentina showcased her duality.

At her best, Heaps needs to be available for situations where she can gather at the top of the box or draw defenders out of position and open up a shooting lane… but the national team has never been able to find the right balance. 

And how does Riley Jackson fit into all of this, with Hayes seemingly all in on Claire Hutton? Here’s hoping the rotation finds clarity. 

Forward Core.

Now, the attack is where things are becoming interesting. 

There’s a very real possibility that an elite attacking player doesn’t make the cut for the World Cup, with Sophia Wilson and Mal Swanson still working their way back from maternity leave. Jameese Joseph struggled to be involved vs Argentina outside of the counterpress to win the ball from Cometti and find Sears for the hockey assist on the first goal. 

On Tuesday, Hayes mentioned that Sears is most likely first off the bench in a best-on-best scenario, revealing that Joseph is probably the odd one out heading into the NWSL season.

There’s motivation for players like Joseph, Sears, Shaw, and Moultrie to continue growing this season, and additional weight on the shoulders of Wilson, Swanson, and Macario to hit the ground running when they return to full fitness.  

The line is still blurry, but this week should add a few more pixels.

Thanks for reading.