Competition is fierce for places on the plane to Paris, so which 18 players will the new coach select this summer?
The Emma Hayes era has officially begun, and it's one that promises massive changes for the U.S. women's national team. After a disappointing 2023 World Cup, the USWNT have hit the reset button, with Hayes now tasked with rebuilding this team into a juggernaut.
The U.S. is still very, very good, to be fair, but this team is no longer the dominant force it once was. The rise of teams all over Europe has coincided with a slight dip from the USWNT, and that dip has made all the difference.
As a result, the U.S. heads into this summer's Olympics undergoing something of a rebuild. Hayes has just joined the team after concluding her Chelsea duties, and she won't have much time to put her stamp on things before heading to France.
It'll be a tough turnaround, but this team has the talent. The USWNT is loaded with attacking stars that, on any given day, give this group a chance to win.
Can they pull it off this summer? Will this team be able to claim gold? That's always the aim with the USWNT and, even during this rebuilding phase, expectations are sky high.
But who will make the USWNT's 18-player Olympic roster? GOAL takes a look…
Alyssa Naeher is the incumbent and could very well start in Paris, though recent injury issues could yet rob the 36-year-old veteran of one last tournament.
The U.S. has options behind her, including long-standing backup Casey Murphy and NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Jane Campbell. Hayes will have some decisions to make, particularly with her No.1 goalkeeping spot once Naeher is healthy.
Name
Club
Jane Campbell
Houston Dash
Aubrey Kingsbury
Washington Spirit
Casey Murphy
North Carolina Courage
Alyssa Naeher
Chicago Red Stars
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DEFENDERS
There are two starting XI locks in this group: Naomi Girma and Emily Fox. Outside of that, it's all a bit up in the air.
The search for Girma's best defensive partner goes on, while there's a fierce competition at left-back, particularly with Crystal Dunn now being listed as a forward, suggesting her playing at left-back is not something Hayes foresees happening.
The group has a good mix of youth and experience, though, which gives Hayes plenty of options to choose from when selecting a roster.
Name
Club
Alana Cook
Seattle Reign FC
Abby Dahlkemper
San Diego Wave
Tierna Davidson
Gotham FC
Emily Fox
Arsenal
Eva Gaetino
PSG
Naomi Girma
San Diego Wave
Casey Krueger
Washington Spirit
Jenna Nighswonger
Gotham FC
Becky Sauerbrunn
Portland Thorns
Emily Sonnett
Gotham FC
Sam Staab
Chicago Red Stars
Kate Wiesner
Washington Spirit
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MIDFIELDERS
The midfield struggled at times at the World Cup due to injuries and form, but there are some star players here. Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle lead the charge, while newcomers Sam Coffey and Korbin Albert are also in the mix for starting spots.
And then you have a new generation, with the likes of Hal Hershfelt, Lily Yohannes and Olivia Moultrie waiting for their opportunities, which could come post-Olympics simply due to the limited roster spots.
Name
Club
Korbin Albert
PSG
Croix Bethune
Washington Spirit
Sam Coffey
Portland Thorns
Savannah DeMelo
Racing Louisville
Hal Hershfelt
Washington Spirit
Lindsey Horan
Lyon
Rose Lavelle
Gotham FC
Olivia Moultrie
Portland Thorns
Lily Yohannes
Ajax
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FORWARDS
Good luck sorting this one out, Emma…
It's a champagne problem, but a problem nonetheless: the USWNT is loaded in the attack. From rising stars in Jaedyn Shaw and Trinity Rodman to veterans like Alex Morgan and Mallory Swanson, there are so many options. Add in the returning Catarina Macario, a true unicorn, too.
There's no right answer here, but there also may not be a wrong one for Hayes given the talent of those involved.
