This Sunday, October 27, the United States Women’s National Team plays again against Iceland for a second time in four days. Coming back from a 3-1 win in Austin, the rematch now heads to GEODIS Park in Nashville as another pulsating chapter unfolds in store for Emma Hayes‘ team, still unbeaten in 11 matches. Beyond that result, though, a lot hangs on this showdown, from new stars being born to goodbyes from icons.
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As anticipated, the opening game against Iceland came out surrounded by celebration and pure, pure talent, notably. First up was Alyssa Thompson-the 19-year-old forward who stamped her signature with a first goal for the United States. It wasn’t a goal, either: an expertly placed shot to the far post that sent the crowd in Austin into a frenzy in the 39th minute. Among a lineup stacked with Olympic stars, it was the youngster who stole the show-a surefire sign the USWNT reformation is in high gear.
Iceland tried to balance out the match, and their equalizer in the second half signaled that those opponents can surprise, too. But the American answer didn’t come until the last minutes through experience and talent provided by two substitutes: Jaedyn Shaw and Sophia Smith. Shaw scored in the 85th minute with the coolness of an experienced player, while she is another promising 19-year-old and a member of the 2024 Olympic team. Setting the seal on that victory in the 88th minute was none other than Sophia Smith, part of the fearsome “Triple Espresso” frontline in the Paris Games. She proved at least a reason why she is one of the team’s offensive leaders.
The arrival of Emma Hayes as head coach of the US Women’s National Team has brought new energy into the squad. Without defeat in 11 games, the English coach has proven a real strategist, who subtly uses the experience of veterans with fresh energy of players younger than them. The win over Austin reflected this philosophy when even though 10 out of the 11 starters came from the Olympic roster, the new generation made the difference on the field.
This would indeed be another test for this transition process. Sunday’s match in Nashville will be the fourth away match, with Hayes having made roster adjustments such as bringing in a new goalkeeper, young Mandy Haught, following a training injury to Jane Campbell. With a mixture of experience and fresh faces, the coach hopes for dynamism and aggressiveness on the pitch-a thing that has already caught the attention of fans and critics alike.
But beyond on-field anticipation of how the team performs, the Nashville match will be notable too for being Kelley O’Hara’s final bow-the farewell of arguably the most iconic figure in recent US Women’s National Team history. The defender, who announced her retirement in May, will be honored with a halftime ceremony officially closing a career that took her to four World Cups and three Olympic Games.
O’Hara is the stuff of legend-identified with champion. Her goal against Germany in the 2015 World Cup semis still resonates with fans-a defining moment in the US’s global journey. Now, she’s passing the torch, but her presence will linger as a hallmark that will forever be part of the team’s history.
The roster renewal is a clear mark of this USWNT phase. For the squad-with 17 Olympic players leading the charge and some promising talents making their first appearance with the senior team, such as defender Eva Gaetino and forward Emma Sears-it’s about a tenuous balancing act between old laurels and forging a promising future. Not having the U-20 players, fresh from finishing third in the just-concluded FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, shows that it is a gradual integration of such youthful talents.
For instance, Maddie Padelski grasped her opportunity to start on the final matchday, offering selection options on the right-hand side of the attack. Daya King also came back into the backline to nail down a position that has been much more consistent across the matches since Hayes took the reins. All this thoughtful transition between generations just may be what’s required to keep the US competitive on the world stage.
Sunday’s game against Iceland is a great opportunity for the US to further fine-tune their style of play and for newer players to make a statement. There’s also some symbolism to it: this unbeaten streak under Emma Hayes just gives great confidence to the team and builds morale ahead of forthcoming tasks.
Iceland, on its part, showed that they are not a team to be trifled with, particularly in that second-half display in Austin. And while without the power to attack, they were still a team capable of punishing any mistake and becoming an irritant once the back lines remained strong.