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Jeff Kassouf
The transition of the U.S. women’s national team since Emma Hayes took over as coach has marked a staggering, unprecedented degree of experimentation for the world’s most profitable girls’s soccer crew.
Twenty-four gamers have made their worldwide debuts within the first 24 video games with Hayes in cost over the previous yr, even with U.S. profitable a gold medal finally summer season’s Olympics.
Now, Hayes has stated she has seen sufficient to slim down her core of gamers and concentrate on growing the group she hopes will win the People a fifth World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
So in spite of everything that experimentation, which new gamers are most definitely to be on the roster for the Girls’s World Cup two years from now? We have ranked the debutants by who seems to suit into Hayes’ 2027 plans. It is about expertise, sure, but in addition the crew’s positional wants, that means some gamers rank increased or decrease based mostly on necessity.
24. Eva Gaetino | 22 | Defender | PSG
Gaetino’s lone U.S. look to this point was her debut final yr in a 3-0 win over Argentina. At 22, she nonetheless has loads of time to develop, however she has not constantly been with the U23s of late, both, as Hayes has examined out different rising middle backs.
Hayes has experimented probably the most at fullback, and Malonson is among the many choices being explored. Malonson’s solely cap to this point, nevertheless, got here final yr in opposition to Argentina. Different fullbacks have been featured extra closely not too long ago.
22. Sam Staab | 28 | Defender | Chicago Stars FC
The participant who by no means missed a sport within the NWSL suffered a significant harm final yr simply after her U.S. crew debut, which was heartbreaking timing particularly contemplating Hayes is on the hunt for depth on the place. Chicago’s struggles this yr have made it tough for Staab to face out upon her return.
21. Lo’eau LaBonta | 32 | Midfielder | Kansas Metropolis Present
There are few greater advocates for the Legend of LaBonta than this author, however she has robust competitors in midfield. There is a youth motion afoot as Hayes builds for the subsequent decade. That stated, LaBonta stays an all-NWSL expertise in midfield, and Hayes has proven that membership type issues. The most important query, assuming LaBonta’s type holds, is how she matches within the crowded midfield puzzle.
20. Sam Meza | 23 | Midfielder | Seattle Reign FC
Meza was spectacular in her debut in opposition to Eire final month, a chance she earned by way of her regular play in midfield for Seattle. She has potential as a deeper-lying midfielder, however there are better-known entities forward of her on the depth chart.
19. Izzy Rodriguez | 26 | Defender | Kansas Metropolis Present
Rodriguez is an attacking drive at fullback within the NWSL. She ranks 14th within the league in possibilities created, per ESPN Analysis. She has precisely the kind of attacking profile Hayes has trialed at fullback. Proper now, although, Hayes has solely the pattern measurement of the latest U.S. camp for Rodriguez.
18. Kerry Abello | 25 | Defender | Orlando Delight
Like Rodriguez, Abello is an attack-minded fullback with restricted worldwide reps to this point, however she will get the sting for versatility. She will be able to play centrally in a three-back capability — which Hayes famous not too long ago — and he or she additionally handles a extra superior winger function for Orlando at instances. She has nice upside and may proceed to get alternatives.
17. Mandy McGlynn | 26 | Goalkeeper | Utah Royals
McGlynn debuted final fall because the race to switch Alyssa Naeher entered full swing. Each goalkeeper on this checklist has a powerful shot at making the 2027 World Cup as a result of the latest No. 1 (Naeher), No. 2 (Casey Murphy) and No. 3 (Jane Campbell) are out of the image or out of favor. McGlynn has probably the most floor to make up among the many three goalkeepers on this checklist.
16. Emily Sams | 26 | Defender | Orlando Delight
Sams has been a constant drive for Orlando and continues to get the decision for the People, however she began in solely two of the U.S. crew’s 10 video games to this point this yr (with one look off the bench). Solely Hayes can really say why, however Sams seems to be not less than fourth on the center-back depth chart. Her membership type for Orlando stays sturdy and he or she is nice in one-on-one conditions.
15. Lilly Reale | 21 | Defender | NJ/NY Gotham FC
Reale was distinctive within the U.S. crew’s most up-to-date sport in opposition to Canada. She has been regular for Gotham all through her rookie season and appears prepared for the worldwide stage. These left-footed crosses she will be able to serve up from the wing? Hayes will take all of them day. At 21, this defender appears just like the Reale Deal (we’ll be right here all day, thanks).
14. Jordyn Bugg | 18 | Defender | Seattle Reign FC
The long-term way forward for Bugg as a beginning U.S. middle again appears inevitable; it is a query extra of when, not if. Hayes stated not too long ago that Bugg will nonetheless play on the U-20 World Cup and certain practice with the U23s at instances to organize her for both 2027 or the 2028 Olympics and past. How rapidly that improvement progresses and, possibly, whether or not FIFA expands the World Cup rosters to 26 gamers, may decide her quick future. However Bugg is already thriving within the NWSL and drawing comparisons to Naomi Girma for her composed defending.
13. Hal Hershfelt | 23 | Midfielder | Washington Spirit
Hershfelt has not performed for the U.S. in 2025 resulting from harm, however remember she was a part of final yr’s Olympic run. Her probability of being on the 2027 World Cup roster will rise and fall based mostly on her well being; an important factor now’s getting again on the sector. There is not a harder midfielder within the pool (a Julie Ertz comparability could be applicable), and he or she has a passing imaginative and prescient going ahead to enrich that.
12. Emma Sears | 24 | Ahead | Racing Louisville FC
Hayes is excessive on Sears, whose athleticism is off the charts. Sears continues to refine her technical sport and decision-making, the latter being a improvement Hayes praised throughout the latest window. Sears is tied for fifth within the NWSL with six objectives this season, second amongst People and probably the most of any participant with senior U.S. caps.
11. Tara McKeown | 26 | Defender | Washington Spirit
McKeown is without doubt one of the most attention-grabbing developments within the participant pool after a well-documented conversion from ahead lately. She has appeared in eight of 10 U.S. video games this yr since making her debut. Her background means she profiles as a extra aggressive, ball-playing middle again — somebody who may complement the regular, all-world Girma in opposition to the proper opponent. X components at this place embody the long run well being of Tierna Davidson, however McKeown has proven marked progress internationally even in just a few months.
10. Yazmeen Ryan | 26 | Ahead | Houston Sprint
A short harm within the spring saved Ryan out of U.S. camp, however remember that she has been dynamic and efficient from a number of positions in her transient stints with the crew. Ryan can play wherever throughout the entrance 4. A very powerful factor for her within the close to time period is ensuring she retains producing on the membership degree for a Houston crew that also hasn’t discovered its footing.
9. Gisele Thompson | 19 | Defender | Angel Metropolis FC
Thompson’s moments on the worldwide degree have been restricted to this point, however speak to anybody behind the scenes they usually converse in regards to the teenager as one of many subsequent prime American gamers. Her older sister, Alyssa, has already had her breakout moments for membership and nation; Gisele’s are on the horizon. Her future with the U.S. appears like a query of the place, relatively than if, she matches on the sector.
8. Michelle Cooper | 22 | Ahead | Kansas Metropolis Present
Has anybody taken maintain of their alternative in addition to Cooper? She has the relentless drive that will get stuff completed (and the chew to her sport Hayes loves). Cooper can tackle defenders on the wing and get to the top line, and she will be able to rating from central areas. There may be stiff competitors for the winger roles — remember that the beginning Olympic ahead trio of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson are possible due again in some unspecified time in the future — however Hayes has clearly been impressed by Cooper.
7. Claudia Dickey | 25 | Goalkeeper | Seattle Reign FC
As Hayes stated, the information does not lie: Dickey is arguably the perfect American goalkeeper within the NWSL this yr. She ranks second behind Aubrey Kingsbury (who was the No. 3 goalkeeper on the 2023 World Cup) in post-shot anticipated objectives minus objectives in opposition to, a measure effectiveness at stopping photographs. Dickey’s current debut for the U.S. affirmed that she can be a part of the rotation going ahead.
6. Croix Bethune | 24 | Midfielder | Washington Spirit
Bethune is a artistic expertise with the bravery to try dangerous passes and the technical capacity to execute them. She tied the NWSL report for assists final yr as a rookie whereas debuting forward of the crew’s Olympic run. Rose Lavelle remains to be the usual setter because the People’ No. 10, as she reminded the world in a current dazzling efficiency in opposition to Canada, however Bethune, who’s six years youthful, has an analogous talent set that may’t be ignored. Bethune simply wants refining and extra time on the sector after an extended harm layoff.
5. Avery Patterson | 23 | Defender | Houston Sprint
Patterson may need had the perfect run of spring video games of any new USWNT participant, punctuated by a powerful displaying in opposition to Canada earlier this month. She’s an distinctive two-way fullback with the correct mix of athleticism and imaginative and prescient. Her ascent is completely timed with Hayes’ seek for options on the place. Patterson’s aim in opposition to Eire final month was a tangible reward. Come 2027, she may line up because the fullback reverse Emily Fox.
4. Claire Hutton | 19| Midfielder | Kansas Metropolis Present
Longtime U.S. followers know the way uncommon it’s to discover a complete bundle of a defensive midfielder. Hutton is that participant. At 19, she is already poised underneath stress within the middle of the park, gliding ahead to make progressive passes and pushing opponents off the ball defensively. Her sport is imperfect, like that of any 19-year-old, however it’s additionally effectively past her years. She is Sam Coffey‘s main competitors — and 7 years youthful.
3. Ally Sentnor | 21 | Ahead | Utah Royals FC
There’s one thing about Sentnor when she will get on the ball. She seems to maneuver sooner with the ball at her ft within the open discipline than when she sprints with out it, main U.S. nice Tobin Heath to check her to Lionel Messi. Sentnor may also produce a strong, generally audacious shot even with a brief run-up, paying homage to Christen Press‘ skills. Sentnor can play because the No. 9, No. 10 or on the wing.
2. Phallon Tullis-Joyce | 28 | Goalkeeper | Manchester United
No participant has risen the ranks extra previously few months than Tullis-Joyce, who seems to be the favourite for the beginning goalkeeper job after a sensational debut in opposition to Brazil in April. She loved a powerful membership season in England and backed it up with stable performances in her first U.S. caps, rising with confidence when the People lacked solutions in internet. It is her beginning function to lose, and by the use of the necessity for a brand new trio of goalkeepers, solely harm or an unfathomable dip in type would maintain her away from the 2027 World Cup crew.
1. Lily Yohannes | 18 | Midfielder | OL Lyonnes
Quick-term, long-term, the entire above: Yohannes is a star within the making. Her current switch to OL Lyonnes from Ajax marks the subsequent step in her improvement to coach alongside prime world gamers day by day. Yohannes is remarkably composed as a deep-lying playmaker, and her last ball to interrupt defensive traces reveals the sort of talent set the U.S. needs it had lately. Hayes has labored laborious to manage the hype round Yohannes, however the actuality is that any midfield beginning mixture in 2027 will come collectively round her.