GOAL takes a look at the biggest keys as the USWNT take on Brazil – again – in a rematch of the 2024 Paris Games final
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The U.S. women's national team lived up to expectations in the rematch of the 2024 Olympic gold medal game, defeating Brazil 2-0 in Los Angeles in front of more than 30,000 fans on Saturday.
Now it's time for take two.
On Tuesday, the USWNT will once again face Brazil, this time just north in San Jose. Since winning the Olympics, it's been clear head coach Emma Hayes has been trying out new pairings and lineups each game, tinkering and tweaking as she ultimately builds a team that will compete in the 2027 World Cup.
It's likely that this second friendly will follow suit. The roster has depth in each position, with options in the midfield – whether that be a young Ally Sentnor or an even younger Lily Yohannes. Similarly, up top, Hayes could play Cat Macario, who's hold-up game has been next level, or give Jaedyn Shaw another chance at the nine.
It's all part of the collective growth of the club, as the development continues on and off the pitch.
“I feel at home with this team,” Haye said after the weekend Brazil win. “I feel like I could make a difference, build an environment that I want to be in and the players want to be in and I think it’s pushing me to new heights. When you’re at a club, you can’t breathe. You’ve got a game every three days, you’re on the road."
GOAL takes a look at five key storylines as the USWNT play the second of two friendlies against Brazil.
Getty ImagesAnother go for Phallon Tullis-Joyce?
Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce had, without a doubt, the USWNT's best performance in goal since Alyssa Naeher retired from international competition last fall.
The goalkeeper position has been a major question mark for the U.S. side, with some decent, but not secure showings from Jane Campbell and Maddy McGlynn in other games. On Saturday, Tullis-Joyce earned her stripes, making six saves – the most by a U.S. keeper since Naeher’s seven against Germany in the Olympic semifinals. Tullis-Joyce became the 10th goalkeeper in U.S. history to earn a shutout.
The University of Miami graduate was confident in net, coming out big, covering her near post beyond her years, and making saves against a dangerous Brazil frontline. It would be exciting to see her earn another cap on Tuesday, especially after her shutout performance and obvious impact she had on calming and controlling her backline.
Hayes puts a lot of thought into her pairings, down to how her center-backs will respond and communicate with the keeper in net. So if she goes the route of Emily Sams and Emily Sonnet as the two in front of Phallon, rather than Tara McKeown who played on Saturday, they will have had good rapport leading up to the match.
In terms of continuity, seeing Tullis-Joyce again would star to narrow down the keeper search. But Hayes could also switch things up and give one of the others a shot against a very talented Brazil side.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesA new front line
There was little to complain about after watching the USWNT's front line on Saturday. From Macario's hold-up game – handling difficult balls in the air, laying off or turning on a dime – to Alyssa Thompson and Trinity Rodman's pace and creativity on the flank, it was a a near-perfect showing out of the front three.
Despite that, Hayes has other attacking options on her bench.
While Rodman's presence was heard and seen loud and clear – she scored just five minutes into Saturday's match in her first appearance with the USWNT since the Paris Games final – she is still managing her minutes with her back issues. Thompson may get another run, which would surely be an asset to all – yet Hayes may want to see Yazmeen Ryan, who started for the U.S. side during the SheBelieves Cup.
If Rodman doesn't start, or plays limited minutes, will we see more time from Michelle Cooper? Cooper is hungry to be involved in the attack, and every time she's stepped on the pitch for the USWNT she's displayed remarkable work rate, involvement and bravery in the box – and great service.
Thompson and Rodman drove centrally, which worked well against a disciplined Brazil backline. That doesn't come naturally for either, yet that act alone was a major difference maker. Whether it's Cooper or Ryan, that's going to be massive in creating openings for the likes of Macario or Shaw.
Don't overlook Shaw. It's hard to believe, but she actually has more USWNT experience than Macario despite being just 20. And that's the last piece of this frontline – the nine. While Shaw is a natural 10, Hayes may try her again in the nine. Shaw and Macario both have strong hold-up games, and offer physicality and vision up top.
Getty ImagesCenter-back shake up?
The center-back pairing is not final. There are still gaps, and the team clearly misses the injured Naomi Girma. What Girma offers in the backline is someone who can distribute, play to feet, and make connecting passes that break lines.
While both McKeown and Sonnet are exceptional defenders, both with their IQ and just ball-winning ability, they tend to lean towards big clearances and rock-hard tackles, as opposed to playing out of the back.
The other option is Emily Sams. A key part of last year's NWSL championship for the Orlando Pride, she was one of the best center-backs in the league – if not the best. While she can play similarly to McKeown and Sonnett, she has a bit more pace than McKeown – and don't forget, she's teammates with several Brazilian players in Orlando, and knows their style and how to break them down.
Tullis-Joyce was comfortable with Sonnett and McKeown, so it's hard to tell how she'd fare with a different center-back. However all three of them have similar styles.
To the right, Emily Fox is the steadiest option for the USWNT's outside back. The other side is still a bit of a gamble. While Crystal Dunn offers experience, her style isn't necessarily possession-oriented. Perhaps Hayes shakes up that spot with Gisele Thompson or puts Avery Patterson on that side. On Saturday, Patterson earned her first USWNT cap when she subbed in for Fox in the second half.
Getty ImagesMidfield magic
There's some quality midfield play happening across for Hayes' side. Lindsey Heaps is captaining the squad well, with her grit, ability to win fifty-fifty balls, and just vision to play out of tight spaces. And Sam Coffey is just solid as ever in that holding midfield spot. Coffey is all over the field, winning battles left and right, and doing the work that bobbles the ball up and allows for her attacking teammates to create magic ahead.
Then there are the younger players in the middle. Whether it's Sentnor and her vision for goals or Yohannes and her vision to make services into the final third beyond her years, the USWNT is stacked.
On Tuesday, Hayes could potentially start Yohannes in the spot Sentnor played. Yohannes entered Saturday's match as a calm playmaker, and just made the entire game make sense. She didn't lose the ball, found teammates in dangerous spaces, and did the work defensively.
While Sentnor didn't have a bad performance, Yohannes' precision was needed in a chaotic game.
