LOS ANGELES (AP) — In a year when all eyes are on the U.S. men’s team and this summer’s World Cup, the women’s team is preparing for its 2027 turn.
The United States concluded its January training camp with wins over Paraguay and Chile as it prepares for the Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Brazil in November.
The team will rely heavily on familiar faces such as Trinity Rodman, Naomi Girma and Lindsay Heaps as they look to add a fifth World Cup title to their collection, but coach Emma Hayes has expanded her squad.
of camp focus And the two friendlies were clearly aimed at youth, with all players coming from the National Women’s Soccer League. Gotham FC players were in London for the match. 1st Women’s Champions Cup Semi-Finals I couldn’t participate.
European-based U.S. players like Heaps and Girma also remained overseas to focus on the club season. Forwards Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson are working toward their return from maternity leave.
As last year, Hayes held a simultaneous Futures Camp to ensure players under 23 could share a high-quality training environment and compete if the opportunity arises. Last year, Hayes began a camp for young players, reflecting a holistic approach to developing the entire national team ecosystem.
“I think this year certainly started with us identifying key themes to help us qualify,” Hayes said this week. “I think this camp gave us a reference point to say that’s what we need to add and what we’re looking for to go to the next level.”
Since Hayes officially took over the team in June 2024, he has given 32 players their first caps over 32 games. This year, five players made their national team debut in two games.
But it wasn’t just his first appearance in a U.S. jersey, it was also his first international goal. RaeLynn Turner scored her first goal of the game. Victory over Paraguay 6-0Croix Bethune, Jameese Joseph, and Emily Sams contributed. 5-0 against Chile on tuesday.
Players who started against Paraguay had fewer than 10 caps on average, and against Chile they had just over five, the lowest number for a starting XI in 25 years.
“I always approach things as if it were the day before the World Cup final and every game should be played with the same intention, regardless of the starting XI,” Hayes said. “Yes, we have a much different group than normal, but it’s a great opportunity for many of them. Not all of them will be part of the group competing for 2027 eligibility, but as I’ve said many times, my job is not to prepare players for a single tournament, but to line up a team that is competitive in a row.”
Rodman, 23, served as team captain in the game against Paraguay. Rodman had just come out. signed a new three-year contract last week With the Washington Spirit of the NWSL.
“I think there’s this assumption that I only know how to be funny and dance and lead as hard as I can, but I can talk and I have good words to say,” Rodman said. “I was a little nervous because I had told others that I had a lot of speeches to make, but it was good. I think it’s reassuring, especially for the younger players, to know that this is the same thing they’ve been doing since they were kids.”
Camp for subsequent games including upcoming games March SheBelieves Cupwill likely include a group of more experienced players. The United States will host Canada, Argentina and Colombia in a round robin tournament that will be played as a doubleheader in three cities: Nashville, Tennessee. Columbus, Ohio. and Harrison, New Jersey.
The United States will play three consecutive games against Japan in April in San Jose, California, Seattle, and Commerce City, Colorado.
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