The U.S. women`s national team is currently navigating a transition phase, missing some key players from their Olympic gold medal victory. However, retired soccer icon Megan Rapinoe believes this period is a positive step following their success last summer.
For this month`s friendly matches against Brazil, USWNT coach Emma Hayes will have only 10 players from the Olympic team, including just Trinity Rodman from the `triple espresso` trio (Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Wilson), who scored 10 goals at the Paris Olympics. Rapinoe suggests that the Olympics provided a strong base for Hayes, allowing her to focus on developing new talent as they prepare for the 2027 Women`s World Cup.
In a CBS Sports Golazo Network interview, Rapinoe, alongside her fiancé Sue Bird, noted the team`s Olympic gold medal win last summer. She pointed out that while coach Hayes had limited time initially, she effectively managed the team. Rapinoe acknowledged the strength of the `triple espresso` but highlighted the emergence of depth with players like Lily Yohannes and Ally Sentnor making impressive debuts. She appreciates the team`s consistent goal-scoring ability, regardless of player changes.
Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup and Olympic gold medalist, stressed that building a deep player pool is crucial for winning championships.
She stated that while the team is in a transitional phase and a few years away from the World Cup, depth is ultimately what leads to tournament victories. Long tournaments require more than just a starting lineup, and having strong players available off the bench is incredibly valuable.
This experimental period under Hayes is seen as beneficial, adding a new dimension to an already talented team.
Rapinoe further mentioned the established talent within the team, noting that the `triple espresso,` Naomi Girma, and Rose Lavelle will return. She emphasized the team`s overall balance and believes Emma Hayes is making her mark, setting standards and ensuring players understand her vision. Rapinoe is excited about the promising young talent emerging within the squad.
The USWNT will play Brazil on Saturday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and again on Tuesday at PayPal Park in San Jose.
Dominic Ashworth