The U.S. women's national team just wrapped up their SheBelieves Cup victory, and now Emma Hayes has a crucial countdown ahead. She's got just six more international windows before naming her World Cup squad for Brazil 2027.
Here's where it gets interesting. Hayes has experimented like crazy – 32 players made their international debuts in her first 32 games as coach. That's way more than any previous USWNT coach in the same timeframe. But all this rotation makes it super tough to figure out who her actual starting eleven will be.
Hayes herself has been clear about one thing: her preferred lineup depends entirely on the opponent. Tournament football requires different approaches for different games. You might need an aggressive midfield against a weaker team that sits deep, but a more defensive setup against a top-ranked powerhouse.
With that caveat in mind, let's dive into what we think Hayes is planning. Remember, this isn't who we'd pick – it's our best guess at what Hayes is thinking based on her choices so far.
Goalkeeper and Defense Taking Shape
Between the posts, it's looking like a two-horse race between Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Mandy Haught. They've split time pretty evenly, but Tullis-Joyce seems to have the edge right now. She impressed against Brazil and got the nod for the big SheBelieves Cup match against Canada.
In defense, Naomi Girma at center back and Emily Fox at right fullback are absolute locks. Both are world-class at their positions. The real questions surround their partners.
Jenna Nighswonger looks like the frontrunner at left fullback. She's got the attacking instincts to push forward and the defensive toughness to handle business at the back. The Gotham FC star won NWSL Rookie of the Year and helped her club win both the NWSL Championship and Concacaf title.
Next to Girma, Tierna Davidson could reclaim her spot if she stays healthy after tearing her ACL last year. The Girma-Davidson partnership was Hayes' preferred choice at the 2024 Olympics where they won gold. Emily Sonnett remains the reliable backup option who could easily start if Davidson has any setback.
Midfield Magic and Forward Firepower
Rose Lavelle might be the first name on the team sheet right now. She's in peak form and provides something nobody else can – that smooth attacking play that forces opponents to completely adjust their game plan. Sam Coffey is equally certain to start in the holding midfielder role. Her game keeps evolving and her recent move to Manchester City will only make her better.
The third midfield spot is fascinating. Lindsey Horan remains captain and brings veteran leadership at 33 years old. Hayes values experience down the spine of the team. But Lily Yohannes, who'll be just 20 at the World Cup, is the most technically gifted of the younger midfielders. Expect both to feature depending on the opponent, with Emily Sams providing additional depth.
Up front is where things get really spicy. Alyssa Thompson has been absolutely undroppable lately, tearing up defenses in both NWSL and the Women's Super League. Trinity Rodman brings that creative flair and swagger when healthy. Both seem like certainties to start.
The number nine role is wide open. Alex Morgan has retired, so it's between Jaedyn Shaw and Sophia Smith returning from maternity leave, or Catarina Macario who's staked her claim in 2025. Macario plays more as a false nine who loves to combine, while Smith stretches defenses and runs at defenders. Hayes will choose based on the opponent's style.
For betting purposes, this depth is crucial. The USWNT can field completely different attacking lineups depending on the matchup. Imagine bringing Swanson, Smith, Macario or Thompson off the bench – that's serious firepower for late-game situations.
Hayes has essentially created two different starting lineups. One aggressive formation for weaker opponents, and one more compact setup for heavyweight matches. In the aggressive model, Yohannes has freedom to create. In the defensive model, Hutton pairs with Coffey as a double pivot with Lavelle pushing forward.
Bottom line? Hayes has built incredible tactical flexibility with 15 months still to go. The USWNT's 'best XI' is really more like finding the right combination from a pool of 15 elite players. That versatility makes them a serious threat to win it all in Brazil.
