Nine US Women’s National Team players have started every match at the Paris Olympics. This highlights just how reluctant Emma Hayes has been to rotate her team, with changes only made in the event of injury or suspension. The USA has, after all, impressed in France this summer and are in the tournament’s semi-finals. One could argue there hasn’t been any need to change anything.
Another argument, however, would point out that more rotation might been wise given how brutal the Olympics is on players. In a condensed tournament, the USWNT has played a match every three days. Not only this, but only 18 players are permitted to be named to each roster, limiting squad depth.
Fatigue was a factor in the USA’s quarter-final performance against Japan. Trinity Rodman’s extra time stunner ultimately saw Hayes’ team progress to the final four, but it was a laborious display that was in stark contract to the energetic, attack-minded soccer produced by the USA at the start of the Olympics.
“I’m paid to do this job,” Hayes said when asked about her selections. “What I’m interested in is what we do in-house. I’ve been coaching football matches a long time. I’ve said it from the beginning: connections help. I don’t believe we’d have gone through if we’d have made too many changes.”
Hayes has quickly settled on a core group of players that she clearly trusts. At the forefront of that group is the front three which has made a profound impact at the Paris Olympics. Indeed, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Rodman have been exceptional throughout the tournament, making the USA a force of nature in the final third.
At the back, Naomi Girma has shone. The 24-year-old continues to add to her standing as one of the best centre backs in the world with her passing ability key to the USA’s possession play. In the full back positions, Crystal Dunn and Emily Fox have contributed while Alyssa Naeher has come up with some big saves.
Some questions have been asked over Lindsey Horan in central midfield. The USWNT captain has looked slack on the ball at times and can be vulnerable to an opposition press, but Hayes favours a central unit of Horan, Sam Coffey and Rose Lavelle. This trio give the USA control, creativity and protection through their individual qualities.
Beyond this core group, though, Hayes is seemingly unsure of her options. Korbin Albert started against Japan with Coffey sidelined through suspension, but the 20-year-old has mainly been a depth option off the bench. Lynn Williams, Casey Krueger and Jenna Nighswonger have all been used in matches, but none of the trio featured before extra time against Japan.
By talking about “connections,” Haye is possibly referencing how she is looking at the bigger picture. The former Chelsea boss has only taken charge of a handful of games as USWNT manager and is still moulding the squad in her own image. The Paris Olympics were always going to be about the future as much as they about winning gold.
Major tournaments don’t come along very often and so it’s feasible Hayes is using the Olympics to give her core group as many reps as possible before focusing on building the depth within the squad between the end of the tournament and the start of the 2027 Women’s World Cup when the USA will be expected to challenge for the trophy.
While it is fair to question Hayes’ unwillingness to rotate as much as other managers at the Paris Olympics, the USWNT is further along in its development under the 47-year-old than was reasonable to expect. The US might have struggled for forward thrust against Japan, but there was still structure to their play. Japan didn’t create much.
The USWNT has already beaten Tuesday’s semi-final opponents Germany. Should they make the final, a meeting against Brazil or Spain awaits with most expecting the latter to make it through. That would be the ultimate test for Hayes and her players, although fatigue and the schedule of a gruelling Olympics might be the USA’s greatest opponent.
