Hayes is embracing the challenge, including a 24-member squad that features some new names, along with some major absentees
It's been just more than a year since Emma Hayes was named manager of the U.S. Women's national team. Taking over in advance of the Olympics, she led the squad to a gold medal in Paris, is unbeaten in 13 matches and won the Ballon d'Or award as the 2024 women's head coach of the year. Hayes and the U.S. have two matches remaining this year – international friendlies against England and the Netherlands, both of which are on the road.
Hayes is embracing the challenge, especially with a 24-member squad announced Monday that features some new names, along with some major absentees. The likes of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson will miss out on the camp with minor injuries, while newcomers Ally Sentnor and Phallon Tullis-Joyce both arrive – and are seeking immediate opportunities.
And Hayes is clearly loving every moment of it.
"I've been so impressed with it by the players, as people, as learners, as committed," Hayes said at a news conference Monday. "I knew that it was a big thing to play for the U.S. women's national team. I knew it, but I didn't realize how big it was for these players. And I say that because the love they feel putting on the crest like gives me such purpose every day.
"And I'm really enjoying being part of the team, beyond just coaching the WNT. It's been a year of surprise, but massive enjoyment. And I'm looking forward to everything going forward, including this roster and including developing some more players this camp."
The team is set to travel to England to prepare for the matches, which include a homecoming of sorts for Hayes in a friendly against England at Wembley on Nov. 30, and then a game against the Netherlands on Dec. 3 at Den Haag Stadium. The England match comes two days after Thanksgiving in the U.S., and Hayes noted that the squad will have a traditional American Thanksgiving celebration – with an English twist on desserts.
GOAL looks at the key takeaways from the squad reveal, and Hayes' outlook for the upcoming camp.
AFPNo Triple Espresso
The most noticeable omissions from the USWNT roster this camp are Rodman, Smith and Swanson – the trio that makes up the famed Triple Espresso. Hayes opted to give them all the opportunity to recover from long campaigns, and deal with minor injuries.
"It's been, you know, a pretty tough couple of years in terms of going from back-to-back World Cups to Olympics for those players," Hayes said. "It's fair to say all three of them have been carrying niggles. And I think it's fair to say that they had to play through the last part in in discomfort. And look, the realities are I'm invested in player welfare and seeing the decision is the right one – they need to get the right interventions for their niggles.
"One of the biggest differences I've noticed since I've come into the US is that in Europe, we've probably been more adapted to playing 10, 11-month seasons over a longer period of time. And I think with the way that the game is now, including in in the U.S., is that seasons are finishing a little later, preseasons are starting a little bit earlier, plus two back-to-back tournaments. So for this, for a multitude of reasons, the decisions were were taken in the best interest for the players."
Smith, according to Portland Thorns manager Rob Gale, has been dealing with ankle pain since the Paris games, while Rodman missed some time with a back injury, and then sustained a brief knock in the Washington Spirit's playoff match this past weekend. And Swanson endured a long rehabilitation process between the World Cup and the Paris Games.
"I want to make sure these players are prepared for a long time to come," Hayes said. "And when you're you're in the back end of a season, and you played a lot, and your body's tired, your mind's tired, that's where, you know, sometimes it can become risky."
AdvertisementUSA TodayThe 'exceptional' Lily Yohannes
Ajax teenage star Lily Yohannes announced her commitment to U.S. Soccer last week, choosing the USMNT over the Netherlands. Hayes rewarded her with a call-up to represent the U.S. against England and the Dutch.
"Getting the commitment from Lily Johannes is massive for us, and one where I'm so grateful for everyone involved – from Lily to her dad to, you know, the Federation," Hayes said. "You've got to get the plan right when you you know someone like Lily is faced with such an interesting choice, but she has been really clear with me. I had a really good chat with her this week. The camp she came into before in May was such an enjoyable one for her, but she's been thinking about that ever since
"And she really wants to progress now with her international career, and she knows she has to work hard with the playing pool being as strong as it is. But I think she's an exceptional talent, and I'm delighted that we can develop a very young Lily Yohannes over the next few years to prepare her for a future with the national team."
Yohannes got her first call-up to the USWNT earlier this year, and then scored in less than 10 minutes in a win over South Korea in early June – becoming the youngest USWNT scorer in program history.
GettyThe heir to Naeher?
Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce received her first call-up to the program at age 28 after a breakout season with the Red Devils in the WSL. With England international Mary Earps sideliend, the American stepped in valiantly this season, and is now looking to break out on the international stage. She's one of three goalkeepers in camp, alongside Utah Royals shotstopper Mandy Haught and 36-year-old veteran Alyssa Naeher.
"She has started well at Manchester United this season," Hayes said. "Watching her games, knowing her coach at the club level, I've been able to sort of get a bigger insight into what she's been doing there. And like, I think she's someone who's just made a good start. I think there's areas for a game to grow. We can see that, but we need to see where she's at."
Tullis-Joyce has allowed just two goals in seven appearances for the English side this season, keeping five clean sheets. Her two goals conceded came in separate 1-1 draws against Brighton and Arsenal. She has 22 saves in her seven appearances, all of which have been starts.
"How do her feet move? How commanding is she behind the line? How switched on Is she from set pieces in the organizational piece – like, there's so many facets to goalkeeping that's more than just the shot-stopping," Hayes said. "Her shot-stopping and her ability to cover the frame is second to none, but in terms of building up with the team, connecting with the team, I think there's room for improvement, but I want to see what she looks like with the demands we place on her.
"There's a there's a lot of unbelievable experience that's there. But I want to see those things. I want to see where she's at in her development with that… I just want to try and build out the goalkeeping pool a little bit. So this is a really, really good moment, considering she plays in England, and she's very, very familiar with the style of play here."
AFPSentnor's time to shine?
A NWSL Rookie of the Year finalist, Ally Sentnor has also been called up to the senior roster for the first time. The 20-year-old has been a standout at the club level this year, and has been a regular with the different U.S. Youth National Teams. But this is her first real opportunity to impress on the big stage. And it comes at an opportune time, with Rodman, Swanson and Smith all sidelined.
"If the Triple Espresso were here, that conversation wouldn't be happening," Hayes said. "While we know that she's been playing predominantly in that sort of 10 role or out on the left. It all depends on what the needs are going to be. We're not going to be blessed with too many nines (strikers). But I, what I have said to myself is that I want to be able to see, you know, high potential."
With the Utah Royals this season, she's scored three goals and recorded four assists in 21 appearances. Sentnor represented the U.S. at the U20 FIFA World Cup, where the USYWNT took third place Sentnor scored a goal to help them claim a 2-1 extra-time victory over the Netherlands.
With Smith out of the camp, and with Chelsea forward Mia Fishel sidelined due to an ACL tear still, there's a real chance Sentnor could get meaningful minutes this window.