GOAL breaks down why this U.S. team, in the rare role of underdogs, is still among the contenders for gold in Paris
Few teams in sports can relate to the realities of the U.S. women's national team. Decades of dominance have led to decades of expectations. And while that may sound like a nice problem to have, it comes with pressure. Winning isn't a thing to enjoy, but rather a target to be met. Anything short of that? Failure.
That's why this summer feels different. As the Olympics kick off, those in the know understand that the U.S. women may not win gold. They are among the better teams in the Olympic field, sure, but almost certainly not the favorites. This is a team just starting a rebuild, a process that won't be complete until long after this tournament's over. Because of that, there's reason for doubt. This tournament may have just come a bit too soon.
And while the U.S. may not be favorite, overlook this team at your own peril. This may not be a finished product, but an in-progress USWNT is still better than most of the teams in this field. They see this summer as an opportunity to reestablish themselves on the world's stage, even as team isn't close to the best version of itself.
Can the U.S. win gold this summer? Yes. Will they? We'll find out. GOAL offers six reasons to believe in this USWNT group this summer.
Getty ImagesNaomi Girma
There aren't many defenders better than Naomi Girma. There definitely aren't any that make the game look so effortless or easy. Make no mistake, though: what Girma does is easy. In fact, it's key to everything the U.S. does.
Girma is extremely smooth but, most important, she's consistently and completely reliable. The 24-year-old defender never seems to make the wrong play. Whether on the ball or off of it she makes the right decision every time, often bailing out teammates in the process to stop chances before they even get started.
It's impossible to overstate how valuable that is in a tournament like the Olympics. It's so, so helpful to know that there's a defender with Girma's capabilities on the pitch. She's a bedrock, one thing this team will never have to worry about.
Girma is the base of this USWNT and that is one hell of a foundation to build on.
AdvertisementGettyMidfield balance
From the start, the midfield never looked quite right at the 2023 women's World Cup. The No. 6 position was a problem. Rose Lavelle's injury shook things up, and then-coach Vlatko Andonovski never found the fix.
This summer, things are different. In these Gagmes, the midfield has a sense of purpose.
There are only four players listed as midfielders in the squad: Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Sam Coffey and Korbin Albert. That's a bit misleading, though, as this group also includes Crystal Dunn, Jaedyn Shaw and Emily Sonnett, each of whom offers something wildly different.
Coffey is the primary No. 6, and her exclusion last year looks even worse now. Horan keeps her place as the do-everything No. 8, while Lavelle will be the big threat if she is, in fact, healthy. There's a balance there and, even if Lavelle can't go, Albert can fill in.
In Shaw, this team has a game-breaking No. 10, while Dunn can play pretty much anywhere. Sonnett has experience as a No.6, central defender or fullback.
The point is this: there are plenty of options, and all of them can create very different looks. That's something the U.S. lacked this summer but, this time around, Emma Hayes has no shortage of choices.
GettyVeteran depth
This is a young team, one led by a new generation of superstars but, make no mistake: there is considerable experience, too.
Six members of this squad were involved in the 2021 Olympics, winning bronze. This team also has four members of the squad that won Gold back in 2016. There's Olympic experience here, and with experience comes calm.
Those players are spread all over the field, too. Alyssa Naher starts in goal, and there will be no nerves from her no matter what's thrown her way. Mallory Swanson's game may be different than when she won Gold in 2016 as a teenager, but she can call on those experiences as she looks to lift an attack with several strike partners near that age. Lavelle played in all six games last time around – she'll know what she's in for at this competitive level.
That experience is key. These games are grueling and they are nerve-wracking, particularly for young players. Every little big of experience helps and, thankfully for the U.S., there's plenty here.
GettyEmma Hayes' brilliance
The biggest difference between this year's team and last year's is on the bench. This time around, the USWNT has Emma Hayes.
There's a reason that U.S. Soccer went out and hired her, and it's because Hayes is arguably the brightest mind in the women's game. They had no problem waiting for her, too. That's how convinced the federation is that she's the right person to change this team.
That change will take time, of course, and it's impossible to expect her to put her stamp on this team with just a few camps. Hayes, though, is an effective, crafty tactician who can make a difference. In a one-game scenario, Hayes can out-think whomever is on the other side.
Her ability to do that may just be the difference between success and failure for the U.S. The style of play won't quite be there yet, but that allows this team to be fluid and perhaps add a few wrinkles no one is expecting. It may very well be an opportunity to surprise opponents with a USWNT that they've never quite seen before.