Seth Vertelney
June 6, 2024 11:59 am ET
The Emma Hayes era is officially underway, which means the Olympics are nearly here.
Hayes has finally coached her first two games with the U.S. women’s national team, leading her new side to back-to-back convincing wins over South Korea.
Though she’s only spent a week and a half with her new team, Hayes will now have to name an 18-player Olympic roster (plus four alternates) before the next time the USWNT gathers in July.
It is a whirlwind introduction for Hayes, but she does appear to have a mostly settled squad on her hands.
The USWNT has a host of players that can be considered locks for this squad, with a few big decisions to be made on the margins.
Here is our projection for the 18 players Hayes will bring to France as the USWNT aims to win gold for the first time since 2012.
Goalkeepers: Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy
Even though she missed the friendlies against South Korea with an injury, Naeher is still the clear choice to start at the Olympics if healthy. The veteran solidified her hold on the No. 1 shirt with strong displays at the Gold Cup and SheBelieves Cup this year.
Facing increasing competition for her backup role, Murphy may have locked up a spot on the plane with a solid display in the team’s second friendly against South Korea.
In the mix:Aubrey Kingsbury, Jane Campbell
Defenders: Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Jenna Nighswonger, Casey Krueger, Emily Sonnett
The team’s entire starting back four is looking increasingly settled. Girma and Fox have been locks for months, while Davidson has become the obvious favorite to partner Girma in the middle. And while Crystal Dunn has had a lock on the left-back role for years, Nighswonger has taken over as the team’s starter, moving her Gotham teammate into a more natural attacking role.
Sonnett and Krueger have the right mix of experience and versatility to occupy the last two spots. Sonnett has been used as a holding midfielder for the U.S. over the past year, but moved back to defense in the team’s second match against South Korea. Krueger can play anywhere across the back line, and will hope to play more than the six minutes she got at the last Olympics.
Sam Staab appears to be in a battle with Abby Dahlkemper for the next spot on the center-back depth chart, but an 18-player roster may doom both players with more versatile options available.
In the mix:Abby Dahlkemper, Sam Staab, Alana Cook
Midfielders: Korbin Albert, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Sam Coffey, Catarina Macario
Horan and Coffey are the most locked-in of the midfield group, which is a huge accomplishment for the latter after she missed the World Cup squad a year ago.
Lavelle’s only limitation in recent years has been her health. If she’s fit, she’ll play a major role in France. If not, a creative midfield spot will open for the likes of Olivia Moultrie or Croix Bethune.
Albert hasn’t stood out with the USWNT yet (and has some off-field baggage), but has been a dependable contributor with the ability to play at the No. 6, No. 8 or even further up the field.
Macario still appears to be working her way back into pre-injury form, but Hayes knows what kind of talent she has. It would take a brave coach to leave the Chelsea player out, especially given her ability to play in midfield or at any of the three attacking spots.
One wild card? Lily Yohannes, who looked every bit a USWNT player in her debut despite being 16 years old.
In the mix:Andi Sullivan,Olivia Moultrie, Lily Yohannes, Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt
Forwards: Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Jaedyn Shaw, Mallory Swanson, Crystal Dunn
More than any other position, the USWNT has an embarrassment of riches in its forward line — though ACL injuries to Mia Fishel and Midge Purce have cleared the field slightly.
Though she hasn’t quite showed it at the club level, Swanson looks just about back to her pre-injury best with the USWNT. That makes her a lock along with the dynamic Rodman and an increasingly confident and in-form Smith.
Dunn is an interesting case, as her starting left-back spot has been taken and she hasn’t made a huge impact for Gotham FC since an offseason move. But her combination of veteran leadership, history with Hayes and versatility should keep her on the right side of the cuts. That goal against South Korea in her first USWNT start at forward in seven years didn’t hurt, either.
Shaw is a relative newcomer and didn’t have a great pair of friendlies against South Korea by her standards, but her explosive start to life with the USWNT still makes her a no-brainer for this squad.
That brings us to Alex Morgan, the toughest omission from this group. The veteran forward still has plenty to offer as a true target striker, drawing fouls and doing valuable work in the build-up. But the USWNT simply hasn’t looked as dynamic with her on the pitch recently, while the likes of Smith, Rodman, Macario and Swanson all have the ability to lead the line — albeit in a slightly different way.
In the mix:Alex Morgan, Alyssa Thompson, Lynn Williams
Projected 2024 USWNT Olympic roster
Goalkeepers (2):Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy
Defenders (6):Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Jenna Nighswonger, Casey Krueger, Emily Sonnett
Midfielders(5):Korbin Albert, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Sam Coffey, Catarina Macario
Forwards(5):Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Jaedyn Shaw, Mallory Swanson, Crystal Dunn
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