Hayes will use a pair of friendlies against Brazil to help emphasize what 'standards are for a U.S. Women's national team player'
At the SheBelieves Cup, the U.S. women's national team had its first taste of defeat during this new Emma Hayes era. Everything had been sunshine and rainbows until that point. With an Olympic gold in hand, the USWNT was only moving upwards, but that was until Japan sent something of a reminder.
As good as this USWNT group is, there still progress to be made. The next opportunity comes in two upcoming friendlies against Brazil – April 5 in Los Angeles, and then April 8 in San Jose.
In some ways, Hayes will likely love what happened in the SheBelieves Cup. It was a perfect reset point, a perfect opportunity to message to her team that things need to keep moving forward on a collective and individual level. It was a warning to veterans that they aren't locked in, and a reminder to newcomers that they haven't yet arrived.
“Sometimes we just assume that everybody knows what the demands or the standards are for a U.S. Women's national team player,” Hayes said. “But as I've mentioned, we've got a lot of new players that lack a lot of experience. We have to transfer that, and we have to transfer it in the right way. Some of that, for me, comes in the non-negotiables in the on-field performance, regardless of results.”
The USWNT's next chance at results comes against Brazil, who will be out for redemption after last summer's Olympics. They'll face a very good, but not quite full-strength, USWNT group. Hayes' 23-player roster was announced on Tuesday and, while many familiar names were in it, several major ones were left out. That opened the door for some on the fringes, while exposing which parts of the depth chart still needs work. GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from the USWNT's latest squad reveal.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Avery Patterson
Shortly after the USWNT roster was confirmed, a heartwarming post popped up on Patterson's social media. It showed a much younger version of Patterson sporting an American flag bandana, USA eye black and a USWNT shirt.
"She'd be screaming," she wrote. "So excited."
It's easy to forget sometimes, given the level the USWNT is so often expected to win, but there's something that remains special about these moments, too. A first call-up, a first goal, a real welcome-to-the-team moment – all are quickly forgotten by many who watch on, but those dream moments are never forgotten by those who actually lived them. That's what Patterson gets this month: the chance she's always dreamed of.
Now 22, Patterson has developed into one heck of a player for the Houston Dash, leading the team in minutes during her 2024 rookie season. She participated in the Futures Camp in January, but this is her first proper USWNT call-up and it's certainly deserved. Patterson will get her chance to make an impression at that left-back spot, which feels a bit open.
"We've seen Avery Patterson both in January and in the start she made for Houston, which I think has been a really, really good one," Hayes said. "She can play left back and right back. But she'll be competing as a left back in the squad for the upcoming camp."
Patterson may not be that little girl anymore, but you can bet she was screaming, too, when she got the alert that she was coming to camp for the first time.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Jenna Nighswonger
Speaking of left-backs, Jenna Nighswonger is one of the most notable absences in this camp.
Since making her breakthrough in 2023, Nighswonger has been a regular with this USWNT, but it's hard not to say her stock has slipped a bit over the last year or so. Once seemingly a clear starter, Hayes hasn't ever really put full trust in her.
Crystal Dunn remains the regular, even as she heads into the final few years of her career, while Patterson is being given a look as a potential contender at that position.
What does that mean for Nighswonger? The pressure is on her to perform at Arsenal after making the big move to London recently. Joining the Gunners was a dream come true for the defender, but it's also a big step towards impressing Hayes, who, of course, comes from a WSL background herself. It didn't get her into the team this time and, for Nighswonger to push for that spot, she has to really get going at Arsenal.
Consider this a reminder, a warning shot or whatever else, but the message is clear: Nighswonger's spot isn't guaranteed. That message is particularly loud given the lack of other fullbacks in this camp, too.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Mia Fishel
She's not technically on the roster but, even if she's only a training player, it's worth recapping Mia Fishel circumstances. Just a year ago, Fishel looked like a real contender at an Olympic spot. She was scoring goals for the USWNT and making waves at Chelsea, giving the USWNT a legitimate, bonafide No. 9.
Then came an ACL tear, robbing Fishel of a chance at that major tournament while also depriving her of crucial development in her young career. The striker, though, returned recently with Chelsea and, while she may not be ready for a full USWNT return, she was deemed ready to train with the group. That's a huge step in her recovery and insight into how Hayes sees the 23-year-old forward.
Despite all of the success of the "Triple Espresso" attacking force that is Trinity Rodman, Sophia Watson and Mallory Swanson – the latter two of which are not in this camp – the USWNT still needs a legitimate No. 9 in the team. Fishel, at her healthiest, can be that.
She is, at worst, a good backup and, at best, a legitimate starting option who plays the position in ways the Espresso members can't. Either way, it's good to have her, even if she's not all the way back just yet.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Casey Murphy
It's been a few months since Alyssa Naeher's retirement, but we're still not much closer to figuring out who will be her full-time replacement as the USWNT goalkeeper. It seems Murphy isn't really in the running, though, after being left out of this squad.
With 20 caps to her name, Murphy has more experience than the rest of the goalkeeping pool combined and, at 28, she's still got her best soccer ahead of her. Still she was left out of the squad, with Hayes opting for Jane Campbell, Mandy McGynn and Phallon Tullis-Joyce. It's definitely a sign of where Murphy is and, realistically, where this goalkeeping pool is right now.
At the moment, there's no clear successor for Naeher. There isn't a world-class star ready to step right into the net and fill that void. There are good, capable players, but no obvious heir apparent, and that's something that Hayes is going to have to sort in this cycle. Every team starts from the goalkeeper and goes forward and, at the moment, there just isn't really one obvious standout.
Murphy may well be in the mix, particularly if she has a good NWSL season but, at the moment, she is one of many vying for a chance and.
"If you think about this, prior to when even Alyssa made the No. 1 her own, it takes a period of time to be able to solidify that," Hayes said. "And I think it's fair to say we've got a lot of really good quality goalkeepers. Who will emerge from that as the No. 1? I don't know, but they have to take their chances when they get them.
"This is a performance-related business, and each and every opportunity they get, they have to make the most of it, because, of course, that will impact my decision-making as we progress. This camp, there will be changes in goal again."
