After five years of malaise, it appears that the USWNT are back. And back in style. They play for Gold on Saturday against Brazil. We hope they win.
But I'm already over the Olympics. A forward thinker, some would say. Let's look forward to 2027 when the USWNT will attempt to reclaim their World Champion title in Brazil.
Parameters:
23 woman roster
3 Goalkeepers required
Team has to make sense positionally
Goalkeepers:
This is a shallow --at least at the high end-- GK pool! Unlike every other position, there are really no elite prospects. There are, frankly, very few young keepers who even get minutes at all. Incumbent Alyssa Naeher will (likely) have aged out of contention, leaving a slew of NWSL starters and a few dark horses to fight over the USWNT backstop job.
The Pool: Casey Murphy, Jane Campbell, Aubrey Kingsbury, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Katie Lund, Mandy Haught, Claudia Dickey
Naeher has been locked in as the US Number 1 since Hope Solo took a rocket launcher to her own career, so we haven't really seen much change, nor controversy. I've long been of the belief that Jane Campbell deserves a real shot from a "who's the best pure shot-stopper perspective," though it's tough to argue with Naeher's international performances even if she's often been a tad shaky in league play.
Louisville's Katie Lund is another whose shot stopping prowess tends to cover up her issues in distribution and with the ball at her feet.
Washington's Kingsbury has held the backup job to Naeher for a while, but she --and Courage GK Casey Murphy) are both solid-if-unspectacular NPC keepers.
Mandy Haught has been comfortably the best American keeper in the league by most metrics (though those metrics do tend to favor keepers who make a lot of saves), and is just 25- I'd keep an eye on her if I was Hayes.
Seattle's Claudia Dickey has had some highs and lows, but her highs have yielded some spectacular saves. I wouldn't be shocked if she tosses her hat into the ring with a few decent seasons.
Among the dark-horses, Former Reign keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce may get the Manchester United job this year after the departure of Mary Earps, and a good few years in the WSL would almost certainly endear her to Emma Hayes.
Projected (3): Jane Campbell, Mandy Haught, Casey Murphy
Defenders:
Lets start with the fullbacks.
The Pool: Emily Fox, Crystal Dunn, Jenna Nighswonger, Gisele Thompson, Madison Curry, Savannah King, Hailie Mace, Kerry Abello, Ellie Wheeler, Jordyn Bugg, Izzy Rodriguez, Tatum Milazzo
Of the two 2024 starters, RB Emily Fox will be 29 in 2027 and will almost certainly retain her spot. Dunn, despite having a standout Olympics, will be 35 and likely out of contention for a starting spot, if still in the pool at all. So, among the candidates:
Gotham's Jenna Nighswonger is the natural successor to Dunn. At just 23, she's already won a title, a rookie of the year, and made an Olympic squad.
While Nighwonger is the hot favorite, my actual bet might be on Angel City rookie 18-year old Gisele Thompson, who has been a bright spot in a relatively disastrous season for the LA side. She is already an extremely high level attacking player (second only to KC's Izzy Rodriguez in chances created among FBs), and has been perfectly adequate defensively. She's also more of a natural fit as a Dunn replacement, as she offers more vertically than Nighswonger does and offers the versatility to switch over to the right side.
There are a few other impressive rookies that will have a chance to impress Hayes over the next two years. Angel City's Madison Curry (who has also played CB), Bay FC 2nd overall pick Savy King, and KC's U-23 nat Ellie Wheeler are among those who might be hunting for a deep roster spot in 2027.
I want to give a shoutout to the perhaps under-recognized mid-tier vets like Orlando's Kerry Abello, KC's Hailie Mace, and Chicago's Tatum Milazzo; who while almost certain to not make a national team roster, have been excellent for their club teams.
Projected (4): Emily Fox, Jenna Nighswonger, Gisele Thompson, Madison Curry
Onto the Centerbacks.
The Pool: Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, Emily Sams, Sam Staab, Emily Sonnett, Lauren Flynn, Sarah Gorden, Gabrielle Robinson, Eva Gaetino, Kate Wiesner, Alana Cook, Tara McKeown, Kate Del Fava, Emily Sonnett.
This is a tough one. Naomi Girma is, in my mind, the undisputed best CB in the world at age 24 and will almost certainly be the USWNT captain in 2027. The second spot is less clear. Incumbent Tierna Davidson at 25 is almost as young as Girma, is left footed, and probably has the inside track to keeping her spot next to Girma in 2027. However, for the first time in years, the CB pool has a little bit of depth to it.
Emily Sams has been excellent for Orlando this season, and is already on the fringes of Hayes' roster.
Chicago's Sam Staab has also been excellent (and is also left footed), but also has suffered a torn achilles....a famously difficult injury to get over.
Gotham's Emily Sonnett has enjoyed a bit of career rejuvenation this season for both club and country and will always be an option because of her versatility. She'll be 33 in 2027, but still could be very much in consideration.
It is an absolute crime that Angel City's Sarah Gorden never made a USWNT roster with the depth issues the nats have had, but she's probably --unfortunately-- missed her window. Still, she's an elite CB with pace who will probably still be playing at a high level in 2027.
23 year old KC CB Gabrielle Robinson is the name to watch. After a rough rookie year in 2023, she had really began to blossom in 2024 until, you guessed it, tearing her ACL.
Youngsters Eva Gaetino (PSG), Lauren Flynn (Utah), and Kate Wiesner (Washington) have all gotten looks at varying youth and senior levels.
Projected (4): Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, Emily Sams, Gabby Robinson
Midfielders:
Lets start with the holding midfielders:
The Pool: Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Korbin Albert, Claire Hutton, Lily Yohannes, Taylor Flint, Hal Hershfelt, Andi Sullivan, Riley Jackson, Jaelin Howell, Nealy Martin,
This is where it gets really interesting. Behind starter Sam Coffey, the senior pool could hardly be more shallow. Mainstay Lindsey Horan has had a truly horrendous Olympics and will be 33 in 2027. There are, however, a number of holding midfield options in waiting that will likely be ready in 2027.
Ajax's prodigious 17 year old eight Lily Yohannes is the big fish (no, not you Mia Fishel). If she does elect to play for the USWNT instead of the Netherlands, there's a good chance she slides right into the eight role next to Coffey in 2027.
If there's a threat to Coffey's spot in 2027, it comes in the form of young Kansas City six Claire Hutton. Hutton will be just 21 in 2027, but will likely have three full seasons of starting at the heart of the Current midfielder by then. I'd get her into the fold immediately- Hutton captains the U-20 nats currently. Oh, the things I would do for a Coffey-Hutton double pivot in 2027! The THINGS I WOULD DO.
PSG's Albert is still there, I suppose? Maybe? Hayes seems to see her as an adopted daughter, so it's prrrobably unlikely she's not around in 2027 as well.
Does Horan make the team? She's the current captain and will be only 33 in 2027, so I wouldn't rule it out.
Hayes tipped her hand slightly by calling Washington's Hal Hershfelt into camp, adding another name into the mix.
Projected (4): Sam Coffey, Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton, Lindsey Horan
Onto the attacking midfielders.
The Pool: Jaedyn Shaw, Rose Lavelle, Croix Bethune, Olivia Moultrie, Ashley Sanchez, Kennedy Fuller
The attacking midfield pool isn't quite as deep, but it IS exceptionally talented. Jaedyn Shaw had an unfortunate injury flare and hasn't had the opportunity to shine like many (me, I'm many) hoped she would. Both Shaw and a heathy Rose Lavelle (even at 32) are highly likely to make the 2027 team, probably leaving no more than one spot.
Bethune is the runaway favorite. She'll almost certainly be the NWSL ROTY and is on the fringes of both the NWSL MVP conversation and the USWNT roster.
Portland's Olivia Moultrie is somehow still just 18, but has plenty of has some work to do if she wants to break back in.
Sanchez has been on the outside looking in, but has had an excellent season for North Carolina.
Projected (3): Rose Lavelle, Jaedyn Shaw, Croix Bethune
Attackers:
The Pool: Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, Alyssa Thompson, Midge Purce, Mia Fishel, Catarina Macario, Yazmeen Ryan, Ally Sentnor, Morgan Weaver, Michelle Cooper, Emma Sears, Reilyn Turner, Messiah Bright, Alex Pfeiffer
The attacking group should be a pretty straightforward one to figure out from a "who starts" perspective assuming full health -- the terrifying trio of Smith (26), Rodman (25), and Swanson (29) will all still be firmly in their primes in 2027-- but there are questions behind those three.
Will Cat Macario ever be healthy?
What do the next three years of Mia Fishel at Chelsea look like?
Will Alyssa Thompson take the much anticipated leap?
Will Midge Purce be healthy and performing in 2027?
Will the pool of non-elite NWSL talent provide a back of the roster challenger?
Projected (5): Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, Catarina Macario, Alyssa Thompson
Projected Starting 11:
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