With the European club football season recently concluding following Paris Saint-Germain`s victory in the UEFA Champions League final, attention now shifts to a busy summer schedule filled with significant soccer events.
USWNT Youngsters Show Progress
The United States Women`s National Team recently began their international period with a commanding 3-0 win over China. This match provided further evidence of the positive strides Emma Hayes` youthful squad is making as her phase of experimentation continues. The victory showcased a team where the components are starting to connect effectively after months of dedicated work together. The team successfully bypassed China`s high defensive line, with Catarina Macario standing out, contributing both a goal and an assist. Hayes attributed the strong performance to the team`s work over the past several months, indicating that the initial learning curve is beginning to flatten.
Hayes commented on the tactical improvements:
When you`re working with many new players as a coach, the goal is to reduce the need for tactical corrections each time you gather. This past week, we made fewer corrections than ever before. Players like Avery Patterson, Lily Yohannes, and Michelle Cooper now understand their positioning on both ends of the field. This enhanced understanding allows the entire group to perform at a higher level. That`s a fundamental step forward.
Against China, Hayes deployed an effective attacking trio comprising Macario, Alyssa Thompson, and Michelle Cooper. This demonstrated the depth available as Hayes explores offensive options while key players affectionately known as the “triple espresso” – Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith – are currently unavailable. Other young talents such as Ally Sentnor and Emma Sears, along with experienced player Lynn Williams, are also part of the squad. Regardless of the lineup chosen for upcoming matches, Hayes noted areas for further refinement for the relatively young team as they continue their extensive preparation for the 2027 Women`s World Cup.
She highlighted specific tactical aspects needing work, mentioning the desire for more dynamic rotations to draw out opponents` wide players. While she felt this was executed well in the first half against China, the team sometimes overplayed, looking for space between defensive lines when deeper space behind the defense was more open. Hayes is encouraging a level of patience in their play. Overall, she was pleased with the performance, stating, “Tactically, we`ve advanced another level. I genuinely feel that way. Many more players are exhibiting greater control and are capable of contributing more.”
A Summer Packed with Soccer
While many top players are heading into their offseason, the coming two months are packed with significant football activity, presenting a unique summer schedule featuring several high-stakes competitions.
World Cup Qualifying Resumes
June marks one year until the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Qualification campaigns are ongoing globally, with four nations – Japan, New Zealand, Iran, and Argentina – having already joined the three host countries in securing their spots. Several more teams could qualify this month. While some confederations are deep into their qualification process, European teams are just beginning. High-profile nations, including past World Cup winners like Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, play their first qualifiers this month. Italy, notably, will be under close watch as they aim to qualify after missing the last two World Cups, despite their Euro 2020 triumph.
Expanded Club World Cup Launches
Thirty-two clubs worldwide are finalizing preparations for the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, set to be hosted in the United States starting June 14. The tournament field includes recent Champions League victors Paris Saint-Germain, along with European heavyweights Real Madrid and Chelsea, and MLS clubs Inter Miami (featuring Lionel Messi) and LAFC, who recently secured the final spot through a play-in match. A major question surrounds how each team will approach this new competition, especially for European clubs at the end of a demanding season that could extend for participants until the final on July 13. Potential player transfers, such as Cristiano Ronaldo being linked with a move to Al-Hilal, add another layer of complexity regarding squad approaches.
Women`s Euro Returns in July
The summer`s major international women`s tournament will be the UEFA Women`s Euro, hosted in Switzerland and featuring 16 teams. Defending champions England will participate, but Spain arrives as the strong favorites after their impressive rise, culminating in a World Cup victory against England just a year after being eliminated by the hosts in the Euro quarterfinals. Spain`s rapid development makes them the team to beat. England will be without goalkeeper Mary Earps, though Hannah Hampton had already established herself as the likely starter for the tournament.
Dominic Ashworth