4 things about emma hayes' nwsl experiment

Emma Hayes took a different approach assembling her camp for the latest round of international games and what resulted was a hell of a lot of fun. Ireland was without Katie McCabe, and Canada are still growing under Casey Stoney, but an altered USWNT tore both opponents apart. Here are four takeaways from three surprisingly complete and immensely satisfying performances.

the nwsl is fine actually

Ahead of this camp’s roster drop Emma Hayes announced that European-based players—bar Naomi Girma, who was returning from injury as Chelsea’s season was ending—would not be called up. Her rationale was that this would be their only opportunity for a true summer break between now and the World Cup in 2027.

This meant the available player pool would consist primarily of NWSL players. You know, the NWSL, the league that suffered a forty-seventh consecutive ‘EXODUS’ during the offseason. Horrifically for some, Emma Hayes tasked herself with piecing together a USWNT-worthy team from players in our domestic leagues.

To make things spookier for EXODUS-mongers, all of Triple Espresso (all currently still with NWSL clubs) are out for various reasons. Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson are on maternity leave, and Trinity Rodman only recently began on-pitch running and ball work as she attempts to return after a recurrence of her back injuries pressed pause on her season.

Twenty-four of twenty-five players selected were exclusively NWSL-based. They combined to form a USWNT that was solid enough to score eleven goals and concede none across three games. Eight different players scored, with only Alyssa Thompson (who’s earning induction as the fourth Espresso), Sam Coffey, and Yazmeen Ryan scoring twice. Defensively, they held opponents to just eleven total shots, and only four on target.

Reports of the NWSL’s demise have, once again, been greatly exaggerated.

well this is awkward

Making the camp the NWSL All-Stars + Naomi Girma meant that some previously ever-present players weren’t with the team. Specifically, Lindsey Heaps (Lyonnes) and Korbin Albert (now, Lyonnes too).

My longstanding frustration with Heaps has been that multiple coaches seemed intent on playing her in a role she can’t execute at the international level, and insisting upon it limits the team in a number of ways. Albert has always been a project, attempting to transition from a box hunting #10 at Notre Dame to deeper midfield positions. Her athleticism and ability to cover ground led to over a year of constant national team callups. However, she’s still yet to display the in-possession qualities needed to facilitate from deeper midfield areas.

During this three-match window with reprieves from targeting Heaps in the final third and Albert’s backwards passing, every midfield combination cooked. Because each midfielder called up possesses natural midfielding qualities and feels at-home with a faster pace of play, the ball zipped around the pitch with pace, intention, and persistence. This resulted in a relentless attack that could adjust on the fly. Casey Stoney and Canada switched things up several times to try and gain control of the game, but the USWNT quickly found solutions thanks in large part to the flexibility of the midfield.

The most diabolical midfield combination, though, was Sam Coffey and 19-year-old Claire Hutton supporting a free roaming Rose Lavelle doing Rose Lavelle things. Hutton’s defensive instincts and mobility allowed Sam Coffey to venture forward to add an additional threat around the box, allowing her dust off the attacking skills she showed throughout college (42 goals, 54 assists; 102 games played, 101 starts).

@brwsports

Coffey makes it 2-0 at half against Ireland 😤 #uswnt #soccer #goal

Heaps’ attributes can still be useful against international competition and in major tournaments, but given what this midfield was capable of in her absence, her role should be a lot less prominent. The plethora of real midfielding ass midfielders (including Lily Yohannes) who have performed as USWNT players means there’s even less justification for Albert, until or unless she makes leaps in her adaptation to deeper midfield roles.

the uswnt got their rude back

When the USWNT is at its best, I mean when they’re really truly cookin, they’re rude as hell (complimentary). They blend skill and athleticism with relentlessness, then enjoy the hell out of themselves. It’s the true secret sauce, and history, of the team. Whether they’re spawning several scolding thinkpieces by celebrating all 13 of their goals against Thailand, or winning a World Cup while suing their federation and using the lawsuit as confetti, they’re equal parts rampant, rebellious, and ridiculous. Again, complimentary.

So in Washington, DC, when the match against Canada kicked off without a Washington Spirit player in the lineup, Rowdy Audi eventually had something to say. As the USWNT proceeded to dominate Canada and carry a 2-0 lead into the second half, the crowd started calling for their stars: Tara McKeown and Croix Bethune.

It took 86 minutes, but on her birthday McKeown finally subbed into the match in front of her home fans. As a gift, McKeown would not slot in at center back, but right back, and seemingly with clear instruction to go forward every chance she got. McKeown has been making a habit of marauding runs through midfield as a center back, so there was no need to ask her twice.

Three minutes later she was charging up the right flank with the ball at her feet, heading toward goal before laying the ball off to Yazmeen Ryan, who hit a wicked shot through traffic to make it 3-0, and secure a birthday assist for McKeown.

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Let’s take a moment to savor each step. Emma Hayes played to the crowd by putting on a center back from the home team, to play right back, on her birthday, with the freedom to bomb forward and chase a goal contribution, against Canada. Rude. We are so back.

set pieces matter

Three of the USWNT’s 11 goals came from set pieces. Those aren’t Sweden numbers, but that’s fine, the goal isn’t to be Sweden. Ew. Anyway. What’s meaningful beyond the number of set pieces scored is when the goals came, and who they came against. Two of the three were scored against their toughest opponent of the window, Canada.

Against Ireland they could sauce their way into goals in open play, against Canada it was important to capitalize on dead ball situations. According to Fotmob, the USWNT peppered Kailen Sheridan with 22 shots. Eight were on target, and another eight were blocked. Canada were fighting for their life. But good teams find a way to make their dominance show, even against stubborn opposition holding on through last ditch defending, the woodwork, and/or goalkeeper heroics. Remember Zećira Mušović? Sorry, still too soon.

Tournament soccer often demands set piece proficiency, especially in knockout rounds when margins narrow. The open play dominance against Canada was there, but the first two goals were constructed from dead ball situations. The first was the result of winning a second ball after a poor Canada clearance from a whipped in free kick delivery by Rose Lavelle. The second was more traditional: inswinging corner, header into the ground.

@nwslsoccer

Claire Hutton makes it count 🇺🇸 Her first USWNT goal comes from a well-placed header off the corner! 🎥 Via @U.S. Soccer

Junior has hops.