emma hayes' first uswnt squad: fun surprises, intriguing decisions, and an L

Fresh off hoisting her fifth consecutive WSL title (of seven total) and sixteenth overall trophy, Emma Hayes got straight to work on compiling the first official squad of her USWNT tenure. Among the squad of twenty-three there are fun surprises, curious decisions, and one rather large L.

Some combinations of the following squad will play two matches against South Korea, June 1 @ 5pm ET in Colorado, and June 4 @ 8pm ET in Minnesota. Here’s what I think about each group, and as a bonus bit of fun I added one* player that I would’ve liked to see called into each group.

(*once, two. i am sorry but also not really.)

With Alyssa Naeher being injured the Naeher Haters are getting their wish of a keeper pool without her. I’m a believer in the Naeherassaince, but from the standpoint that none of the familiar faces have shown the ability to be as complete.

Campbell is an absurd shot stopper and excellent 1v1, but not great with her distribution and can get flustered when pressed. Murphy’s comfortable with the ball but her shot stopping has fizzled from what it was a couple years ago, and she’s not as commanding in the box as you’d want a 6’1 keeper to be. Kingsbury is good 1v1, but also struggles to claim crosses at very much not 6’1.

Who I’d Like to See
Laurel Ivory, Seattle Reign

The Reign have not been good this season and have given Ivory a lot to do. She’s responded by posting a higher GSAA than Murphy, even if just barely (.70). Thanks/no thanks to Reign’s defense, Ivory’s also faced a higher average post-shot xG (.344) than Campbell (.245), Kingsbury (.28) and Murphy (.296), even Naeher (.276) too.

Keepers can perform at a high level into and beyond their mid-30s, but it’s not great to have the entire pool hovering on either side of 30. Ivory happens to be five years younger than Campbell, four years younger than Murphy, and eight years younger than Kingsbury. Younger keepers deserve a chance to grow within the system, and given her age (24) and performances, she’s earned it.

Seeing Tierna Davidson and Naomi Girma named when they just returned from injury is (hopefully) a sign that their injuries are healed and they’re building back to full 90 fitness. Emily Sonnett dropping from midfield into defense is a thing I’d been calling for and am glad to see. Especially with Abby Dahlkemper not back, and two of three outright center backs still in a stage of recovery.

The name that made me big smile and is about damn time is Sam Staab, who just made her 100th consecutive start. Emma loves a passing center back, especially one that can boot the ball with accuracy over large distances, and no U.S. center back pulls that off more consistently than Staab.

Who I’d Like to See
Emily Sams, Orlando Pride

Sams (formerly Madril) has been downright awesome this season. She had major accolades at Florida State, then left to Sweden before coming back, which took her out of people’s minds for a bit. But what she’s showing now was always the promise of her potential. Her positioning is good, she’s strong 1v1, and is now showing the versatility to play wide (RCB or RB) while still defending resolutely and contributing to attack. Sounds useful!!

Now we get to the weird shit. As a Chelsea fan, I’m familiar with Emma Hayes’ squad building, and know she enjoys having #10s in her squad. While none of us know Emma Hayes, National Team Manager just yet, I am surprised to see just one real attacking midfielder in this group (Rose Lavelle). While that’s my biggest tactical concern, it’s by no means the largest.

It remains a poor message that Korbin Albert hasn’t missed a single callup since sharing homophobic and transphobic posts, and liking a post wishing injury on USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe. The platform this particular team offers was built by a number of people directly targeted by the hateful shit she shared. Allowing her continued access to a platform she’s clearly not ready for is a choice that shields her from consequences and betrays communities who make up a significant portion of the fanbase.

Also, these upcoming matches will take place at the start of Pride Month. Will there be Pride numbers? If not, why not? If so, will she wear them or is this going to be Jaelene Daniels 2.0? Also, who are the toxic fans being invited in now that bigoted views have been offered protection? What harm can that do to the fanbase overall, particularly the communities targeted by a specific brand of hate? These are things I am certain USSF is not considering, because if they were they’d make better decisions.

Anyway, the big surprise among this group is Hal Hershfelt. She’s had a great start to her pro career with Washington Spirit, but this still came as a shock. Hershfelt’s superpower is how she receives the ball and turns away from pressure. She uses very slight and short movements to roll, drag, flick or spin the ball out of danger in concert with her body positioning. It’s a rare skill, and at just 21-years-old, one that seemingly comes natural to her.

(also, while she still can’t be cap tied, Emma could do her current and future self a favor by getting Lily Yohannes onto the pitch in both games.)

Who I’d Like to See
Vanessa DiBernardo, Kansas City Current

Over the past few cycles USSF’s insistence on a Chosen-23 led to a lost generation that left it scrambling during the last World Cup and Olympics. Unfortunately, DiBernardo was among the handful left out. Time machines don’t exist so there’s no making up for it, but DiBernardo is absolutely hoopin this season and at least ‘too little to late’ is better than nothing.

Beyond that, DiBernardo is back healthy and has been a catalyst to the Current’s thriving attack. Her awareness, vision, intelligence, passing variety and range allows her to play multiple roles, even within the same sequence. The same passes that Temwa Chawinga has feasted on this season are the exact sort of forward passes the USWNT’s young forwards need.

IS THAT CRYSTAL ALYSSIA DUNN I SEE FINALLY FREED FROM DEFENSE AND LISTED AS A FORWARD? PRAISES TO BEYONCÉ. SING SONGS TO RIHANNA OUR CREATOR. LET US BE BLESSED IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF SOLANGE.

Sorry, had to get that out. Anyway, most of these names fill me with joy and aren’t a surprise outside of Macario, who was subbed off early with a thigh injury in Chelsea’s last game. Her inclusion is a good sign that the injury wasn’t severe.

Of course it’s not all good. Jaedyn Shaw should be listed among midfielders as a #10, because completing through balls behind the defense is an incredibly rare skill that she executes at least once per game. Most managers would yeet family members into volcanoes for this type of player in their midfield, unfortunately neither of Jaedyn Shaw’s managers seem to be among them, despite the fact that they have access to this skill without the sacrificing of loved ones.

There’s also the curious inclusion of Alex Morgan, who hasn’t played a minute of football since April 19. Ahead of San Diego’s random Thursday matchup with Angel City, Casey Stoney said “pretty much everyone is available” but who knows what that means. Even if Morgan returns, she’s unlikely to be in the starting XI or anywhere near 90-minutes fit.

Her inclusion seems to be one of desperation and a lack of options among strikers with a traditional profile, which brings me to…

Who I’d Like to See
Ella Stevens, NJ/NY Gotham FC
Bethany Balcer, Seattle Reign

Lynn Williams should be in this group, and if Shaw was listed in midfield as she should be, there’d be room. However, without that, the inclusion of Morgan (however injured) suggests a desire for a different profile among the unit of quick, direct dribbly forwards. Ella Stevens (26) and Bethany Balcer (27) are young, healthy, talented, and would fulfill that requirement.

Stevens is also in great form for Gotham and has scored some classic center forward goals in recent weeks — the kind where a striker uses minimal touches from service to put shots on frame. Balcer is an aerial threat and does quality pressing and defensive work while leading the line.

One of the struggles Morgan has is staying onside and keeping up with the pace of play of the attackers around her. Balcer and Stevens aren’t known for their speed, they’re capable of keeping up while still offering elements of traditional center forward play.

Expanding the player pool and bringing in younger talent is something I hope Emma Hayes continues to do, but at every position. While there were several surprises and fun inclusions, some opportunities were missed. That’s to be expected from a coach who literally just got here, so form that perspective the squad overall is fun.

Additions like Hal Hershfelt, and Kate Wiesner listed as a training player, gives me hope that Emma’s willingness to widen the talent pool is miles above recent national team coaches. Now it’s onto the fun part of seeing what the team does on the pitch with Emma Hayes finally on the touchline. I, for one, will be sat.