USWNT Olympic Roster

The Emma Hayes era got off to a great start!  We beat South Korea (20^th in FIFA rankings) 4-0 and 3-0.  My main takeaway from these matches is that we are back to being ass kickers.  We kept up the pressure and were aggressive from start to finish regardless of the scoreline or time remaining. It was like a breath of fresh air to remember who we are as a women’s footballing nation.

Gone are the bad old days of former coach Vlatko Andonovski where we looked lost on the pitch and bereft of any attacking ideas.  Questionable roster selection is also a thing of the past as Hayes called in fresh blood and even had some younger training only players in her camp. 

Starting XI choices also made so much more sense as Emma rolled out the lineup, sans maybe keeper, that everyone wanted to see in match one. She rotated heavily in match two with nine new faces in the XI, but she wanted to get a look at everyone.  She managed to play all but two players, midfielder Hal Hershfelt and third keeper Aubrey Kingsbury.

With that out of the way it’s time to name my 18-player (and 4 alternates) Olympic roster. The deadline to submit the roster is 7/3, which leaves only 3 NWSL matchdays between now and then.  Our European based players are going to need to find a way to get some rest after a long season while also staying in shape, which might be difficult.  One quick note is that Canada coach Bev Priestman hinted at a recent press conference that there are “behind the scenes” discussions going on about raising the roster size to 23 like all normal big tournaments.  Color me dubious about that.

Assuming everyone is healthy here is how I would build my roster…

KEEPER – Alyssa Naeher and Casey Murphy.  Naeher was injured for this camp but was back in action on Saturday 6/8.  Murphy is 6’1 and made two outstanding reaction saves in the second South Korea match.  I’d be fine with her being the starter, even with Naeher’s superior experience.

Alternate: Jane Campbell.  She started the first South Korea match but had almost nothing to do.  She was Goalkeeper of the Year last season in NWSL and currently leads the league total saves, is second in goals against average and tied for first in clean sheets.

CENTER BACKS – Naomi Girma, Tierna Davidson and either Abby Dahlkemper or Sam Staab.  Girma is our most important player and captain in waiting.  I still can’t believe Vlatko didn’t take Davidson to the World Cup.  I worry about her pace sometimes, but as a left-footed CB with great passing range she is a no brainer.

Alternate: Dahlkemper or Staab.  My feeling is we need another true CB on the active roster in case of injury or suspension.  If one of the starters gets a tournament ending injury, then we need to replace her with another true CB for the same reasons.  Sam is left-footed and Abby right.  Both are excellent at playing line-breaking passes, so whoever Hayes prefers.

FULLBACKS – Emily Fox, Jenna Nighswonger and Crystal Dunn.  Fox and Nighswonger are locked in starters on the right and left respectively.  Dunn can player either side as a backup as well as midfielder or winger in a pinch.

Alternate: Casey Krueger. Just as with the center backs, we will need a legitimate backup fullback on the roster at all times. 

MIDFIELDERS – Lindsey Horan, Sam Coffey, Catarina Macario, Rose Lavelle, Korbin Albert and Lily Yohannes.  Horan is our captain and locked in at the #8 position.  Although she is a very different player, Coffey has answered the question of who replaces Julie Ertz at the #6.  Macario looks to be our starting #10 with Lavelle as her backup.  Albert runs her socks off and can backup both the #6 and #8. Yohannes might be a controversial pick here, but what she showed in her one cap was something we haven’t seen for a while.  The calmness and composure on the ball combined with her passing vision and touch makes her a special prospect at only 17 years old.  Bringing her to Olympics would give Emma the opportunity to cap-tie her removing Holland as an option.

Alternate: Olivia Moultrie.  Moultrie is still just 18 and already in her fourth NWSL season.  I’d bring her along so she can get some big tournament experience.

FORWARDS – Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Jaedyn Shaw.  Smith is our player in the best form right now.  She would be the only “true” striker on the roster, but several other players can fill in for her there.  Swanson would play the left wing and Rodman the right.  Both can also play striker as can Macario.  Shaw’s best position is probably the #10, but Hayes sees her as a winger right now since she is behind both Cat and Rose.  The Mal-Soph-Trin frontline is going to be so much fun to watch as they absolutely terrorize teams at the Olympics with their pace and interchangeability.