The U.S. Women’s National Team’s first match since clinching Olympic gold was a celebration of their triumph, but also a sign of the challenges that lie ahead as they embark on a new era. The 3-1 win over Iceland in Austin showcased the rust and lack of cohesion that comes with reintegrating a roster after a major tournament, as well as the early stages of head coach Emma Hayes’ vision for evolving the team to maintain its place atop the ever-progressing landscape of women’s soccer.
For the 18 players who stood on the podium pregame to be recognized for their Olympic achievement, stepping back onto the pitch was a return to the grind – the beginning of a long journey to defend their status as the world’s best at the 2027 World Cup. “Just being back with each other is celebration in itself,” forward Sophia Smith, who scored the game-winner, said after the match. But as the opening whistle blew, it was clear that this team is a work in progress.
An Imperfect Return for the Champions
Against the 13th-ranked team in the world, the U.S. struggled to generate chances in the first half, lacking sharpness and fluidity in the final third. Iceland’s compact defensive block stifled the Americans’ typically potent attack, and when the visitors equalized early in the second half, it took individual brilliance from young stars Smith and Jaedyn Shaw to ultimately secure the victory.
“It was a physical team,” Hayes said of Iceland. “Sometimes I want us to win the fight first, and there’s parts of that I didn’t particularly like from us, and I’ll address that.” The USWNT coach admitted her squad looked “a little rusty” in their first outing since August, at the end of a long NWSL season for most players.
Glimpses of the Future
While Hayes relied primarily on her Olympic core to start the match, the second half featured glimpses of the future. Nineteen-year-old forward Alyssa Thompson, in her first appearance for the national team in nearly a year, hammered home the opening goal off the crossbar – the first of her international career. Simone Charley and Hal Hershfelt also earned their first caps, with Hayes promising more debuts to come in this three-game stretch.
What got the Americans to the podium at the Olympics won’t get them there at the next World Cup. The next three years require evolution, and that process began on Thursday.
According to sources close to the team
Incorporating new talent and tactical wrinkles while maintaining the USWNT’s trademark style and mentality is the challenge facing Hayes. “You can’t build relationships if they change game in, game out,” she said of balancing experimentation with cohesion. For now, growing pains are to be expected as Hayes evaluates the player pool and determines how to mold this group into a squad capable of thriving in the cutthroat cauldron of a World Cup.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Broadening the roster and modernizing the team’s approach are priorities for Hayes. With other nations investing heavily in their women’s programs and the game evolving rapidly, the U.S. can no longer rely solely on the grit, athleticism and blistering pace that have been their calling cards. More variation in attack, a greater emphasis on possession, and a deeper roster to facilitate rotation and tactical flexibility are areas the coaching staff have identified to stay ahead of the competition.
- Integrating new players to increase roster depth and diversity of skills
- Enhancing tactical variation to become less predictable in attack
- Focusing on possession-based play to control matches
- Developing young talents like Smith, Thompson and Shaw
Veterans like Lindsey Horan acknowledge the challenges of this transition. “There’s going to be a huge evolution of this team,” the USWNT captain said. “It’s hard. We’ve all been there and we have to adjust.” That evolution won’t happen overnight, and growing pains are inevitable. But if there’s one trait that defines this USWNT, it’s their championship resolve.
The path back to the World Cup summit will be arduous, the roster likely unrecognizable by the time 2027 arrives. If Thursday’s imperfect but gritty victory was any indication, count on this USWNT to scrap and claw their way there, one evolution at a time. The journey is just beginning.
