As the Paris Olympics lurk just around the corner, managers of the twelve competing nations have begun to name their armoury of athletes to take on the fight for gold. Looking ahead to her first major tournament as the new manager of the US Women’s National Team, Emma Hayes names her 18-player squad en route to Paris to battle it out against their Group B competitors in Australia, Germany, and Zambia.

The Inclusions

Catarina Macario (Chelsea) and Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars) both return back to the major tournament roster after missing the cut for the FIFA Women’s World Cup due to major injuries that kept them respectively sidelined.

Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit) has been a consistent performer across the NWSL for many seasons running, yet has only made her way on to one major tournament roster thus far. The 33 year-old will be sure to provide a reliable consistency for the USWNT in their defensive line.

Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), and Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns) have all been named in the travelling squad for what will be their first major tournaments with the USWNT.

Korbin Albert (PSG) also makes her major tournament debut after recent controversy surrounding the 20 year-old’s social media activity. Albert’s activity included the reposting of content that was in support of homophobic and transphobic views.

Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan took to a press conference not long after the incident in April, strongly condemning any opinion that may hold any hateful intention. Everyone at The Halfway Line strongly echoes the following statement made by both Horan and Morgan:

“We’ve worked extremely hard to uphold the integrity of this national team through all of the generations, and we are extremely, extremely sad that this standard was not upheld.

“Our fans and our supporters feel like this is a team that they can rally behind, and it’s so important that they feel and continue to feel undeniably heard and seen” spoke Horan.

Alex Morgan was firm in her statement that the USWNT works to be “maintaining a safe and respectful space, especially as allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Albert’s inclusion has caused controversy not only because of the views spread by the 21 year-old, but by what was perhaps an array of off-the-mark performances over the recent international window.

Morgan Amiss

The aforementioned, Alex Morgan, has perhaps become the biggest talk of Emma Hayes’ selection squad for the upcoming tournament. Morgan’s exclusion marks the forward veteran’s first major tournament absence since trademarking herself as one of America’s biggest stars.

Hayes spoke on the decision to drop Morgan from her 18-player squad in a recent press conference:

“It was not easy making a decision. There are 16 outfield players and two goalkeepers on a roster of 18. It was a tough decision, especially considering Alex’s record and history with this team. I felt wanted to go in another direction and selected other players.” 

Ones to Watch

25 year-old Emily Fox (Arsenal) has recently taken the Barclays Women’s Super League by storm after signing with the Gunners over the January window. Fox’s dynamic ability to gain territory with her athleticism brings a typical flair that comes with the trademark playing style of the USWNT.

Though Fox’s technical prowess displayed when she works as an inverted full-back is where she is sure to flourish under the stylistic identity of Hayes’ management.

Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave) made waves at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as the 24 year-old proved why she is one to watch going forward for the Americans. Girma’s excitement arrives in both her defensive and offensive ability, with a distinctive ability to remain calm and collected in possession amidst the pressure of the defence.

Obvious excitement arrives in the attacking pairing of Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit) and Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), as both stars continue to execute their attacking firepower over recent seasons with the national team.

See the full 18-player roster below.

GOALKEEPERS: Casey Murphy, Alyssa Naeher

DEFENDERS: Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Casey Krueger, Jenna Nighswonger, Emily Sonnett

MIDFIELDERS: Korbin Albert, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Catarina Macario

FORWARDS: Crystal Dunn, Trinity Rodman, Jaedyn Shaw, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson

ALTERNATES: Jane Campbell (GK), Hal Hershfelt (Mid), Croix Bethune (Mid), Lynn Williams (For)