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The 2023 World Cup ended far too soon for the United States women’s national team. Fortunately for them, that’s in the past, and they won’t have to wait long for a chance to reassert themselves in the global arena.
Just one year separates the World Cup and the 2024 Olympics, which is great news for a USWNT group that will no doubt be motivated by their stunning last-16 exit in Australia and New Zealand. The program is very much feeling the ramifications of that exit, with Vlatko Andonovski’s departure pushing the team into a new era, one that has begun without retired stars Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz.
Emma Hayes has been brought in to lead the charge, but she won’t have a long runway to work with. The USWNT have just a few camps to get things together before the Olympics kick off, and Hayes won’t even officially join up until just before the tournament begins due to her ongoing role at Chelsea.
1 Naomi Girma ↔️
While there are some position battles all over the field for the USWNT, there’s no doubt who is taking at least one of those center-backs spots. Naomi Girma is indispensable for the USWNT and is totally locked into the starting XI.
She’s one of the best defenders in the world and she’s only 23. If healthy, she’s in the line-up for the Olympics and for plenty of major tournaments after it – although it remains to be seen who her partner will be.
2Rose Lavelle ↔️
When healthy, Rose Lavelle may just be the USWNT’s best player. The problem at the World Cup was that she just wasn’t fully fit, at least at the start. She’s back healthy now and played solid minutes since the World Cup, although some of them were on the wing rather than in her traditional midfield spot.
3Lindsey Horan ⬆️
The current USWNT captain draws more criticism than she deserves, although her recent comments didn’t help, but the matches since the World Cup have shown just how good Horan can be.
In October, she scored a stunning volley against Colombia, one that few in the world could hit. She followed it up with another goal in December, although it was a bit of a lucky one. Her Gold Cup performances, though, were where she truly shone, scoring three goals including the winner in the final.
It remains to be seen if Hayes keeps her as captain, but she’s growing into the role, for sure.
4Sophia Smith ⬇️
After getting a taste of the biggest stage at the World Cup, it feels like Sophia Smith could be ready for a real breakout at the Olympics. She didn’t score as much Down Under as many would have expected, but neither did the USWNT, to be fair.
She’s had some struggles in front of goal since, too, and went scoreless through most of the Gold Cup. Her finish against Canada, though, was massive, and it should help restore some confidence heading into the spring.
5Trinity Rodman ↔️
Trinity Rodman has looked like a superstar at times since the World Cup and, at just 21, she’s only just getting started. In October, she showed flashes, routinely beating defenders in spectacular fashion, so if she develops a bit more end product, look out. December offered a bit more of that, as Rodman assisted two goals and scored one of her own in the first match. During the Gold Cup, she showed off more of the pure destruction she can create in the final third as well as some much-needed attitude to set the tone for this USWNT.
The World Cup felt like an introduction for Rodman, who admittedly did struggle a bit. All of that seems behind her, though, as she continues to blossom into an incredibly dynamic winger.
6Emily Fox ↔️
Emily Fox can start on the left and she can start on the right. Odds are she’ll be starting somewhere once the Olympics come around!
Fox is such a steady, reliable presence from the full-back position. She isn’t being benched any time soon, especially after a solid Gold Cup that saw her do a little bit of everything, as she always does in a USWNT shirt.
7Jaedyn Shaw ⬆️
Jaedyn Shaw has arrived, and she did it in style. No player in the pool has seen their stock rise like Shaw, who has almost certainly played herself into the Olympic squad. She was the Golden Ball winner at the Gold Cup, for goodness sake. She’s already that good.
Shaw faces a lot of competition for a spot, although her versatility does mean she can play centrally, too. It’ll be really, really hard to keep her out, now though. She’s already such a big part of this team.
8Catarina Macario ⬆️
It makes no sense for a player to rise on this list despite not even being in camp, but Macario is a special case.
The Chelsea star is totally unique in the USWNT pool. Her absence was felt at the World Cup and, if healthy, the U.S. will look vastly different with her involved. The good news is that she is, in fact, healthy and scoring again for Chelsea, which bodes well for her going forward.
With Hayes making the leap from Chelsea to the USWNT, Macario will certainly be involved if she can prove herself fit enough by this summer.
9Tierna Davidson ⬆️
A 2019 World Cup and 2020 Olympic veteran, Tierna Davidson missed out on last summer’s World Cup despite recovering in time from an ACL injury.
She’s been back ever since, though, and one has to wonder if she would have started if she was at 100%. She was solid at the Gold Cup and looks like Girma’s best partner. We’ll have to see more of that duo, but that partnership surely has potential.
10Alyssa Naeher ⬆️
Alyssa Naeher was the No.1 at the World Cup, and there’s no indication that she won’t be back for the Olympics.
The goalkeeper will be 36 when Paris 2024 rolls around, which means this will likely be her last global tournament. She was left out of the squad in December, but reclaimed her starting spot for almost the entirety of the Gold Cup.
This would be her third Olympics, and she’ll hope it’ll be the one she finally gets her hands on a gold medal after settling for bronze last time.
11Emily Sonnett ⬇️
Emily Sonnett is so, so versatile, and when she has been on the field, she’s been so, so good. Her move into midfield has definitely worked, and the matches since the World Cup showed just how much she can do to control the game against a strong opponent.
Sonnett also provides depth all over the backline, and with the smaller nature of Olympic squads, every roster spot matters, making her even more valuable.
12Crystal Dunn ⬇️
She’s in a fantastic club situation with Gotham FC and, as it stands, it looks like she’ll remain the USWNT’s go-to left-back.
Dunn can also play as a left-winger or midfielder and maybe we’ll get a look at her in the latter position soon, but, regardless, her versatility makes her a key player on an 18-player Olympic roster.
13Alex Morgan ⬆️
A huge leap right back up the list for a player who has played her way onto the bubble. For a while, that seemed impossible, but Morgan deserves credit for making it happen.
After being left off the initial Gold Cup roster, it seemed Moran’s time was all but over. An injury opened the door, and she burst through it, using the Gold Cup to show everything she can bring to a team. The pace isn’t there like it used to be, but there’s still so much Morgan can do.
As things stand, she may still be the best pure No.9 in the pool. The forward picture will be interesting and Morgan will no doubt need a good start in the NWSL to stay in the mix, but it seems she’s up for the challenge.
14Sam Coffey ⬆️
One of the excluded players that definitely could have made a difference at the World Cup, Sam Coffey was called up in September, but failed to see the field.
She did get her chance in October, though, offering a glimpse into what she can add in the midfield. She then offered more than a glimpse in December, scoring a goal – to her own surprise – before stepping into a starting role at the Gold Cup. Her energy there was very, very welcome, even if there are concerns about how she’d fare against the world’s elite.
15Korbin Albert 🌟
This time last year, Albert hadn’t earned her first cap. By this summer, though, she could realistically start at the Olympics.
She’s been fantastic so far with the U.S., working well with Coffey in a double pivot. She had just one cap heading into this camp, but featured five times throughout the tournament, making herself a starter by the end of it.
If she can continue to shine with PSG, she’ll have every chance to fight for a starting spot at the big tournament this summer.
16Jenna Nighswonger ⬆️
After a strong start to her professional career with Gotham FC, Nighswonger is also making quite an impression with the USWNT.
She earned her first start against China and didn’t look out of place, showing her ability to go forward and put the ball into the box. She had an even bigger impact at the Gold Cup, scoring a penalty in the 5-0 opening win over the Dominican Republic before netting the second of three goals against Colombia in the knockouts.
Can she win a starting spot, though? It’ll be one of the storylines to watch.
17Becky Sauerbrunn ⬆️
It was so, so sad to see Sauerbrunn miss the World Cup and, at age 38, many felt that may have been her last chance at a major tournament. But what if it wasn’t?
Sauerbrunn returned after last summer’s tournament and looked like her old self, so might she have one more run in her? It seems so, and you have to wonder how good the U.S. can be with a partnership of Girma and Sauerbrunn marshaling the backline.
18Midge Purce ⬆️
A superstar performance in the NWSL final before a big USWNT return? Midge Purce closed 2023 in style. She played a part at the Gold Cup too, offering the U.S. a dynamic option as a starter or off the bench.
The Gotham FC star has proved she can play either as a winger, as she does with her club, or at wingback, where she can be a huge asset against teams playing more defensively. Her ability on the ball and her versatility could be huge for the USWNT, which will keep her in the mix.
19Mallory Swanson ⬇️
A catastrophic injury robbed Swanson of a place at the World Cup last year, but the hope is that she’ll be back to 100 percent by the Olympics.
Swanson is getting closer to returning, but the good news is that there is still time to recover. She was with the U.S. as a training player to start this tournament and, when she is healthy, she’ll re-join a talented forward group.
20 Olivia Moultrie ⬆️
The teenager has been on everyone’s radar for some time – it’s what happens when you start a pro career before you can drive a car.
Moultrie, though, is closing in on a USWNT spot just after her 18th birthday. The Portland Thorns star impressed in her first few caps and then put on quite a show against the Dominican Republic to start the Gold Cup. We didn’t see much of her after, but that was enough to make a good impression as she pushes for a spot.
21Abby Dahlkemper ⬇️
After nearly two years out, Dahlkemper made her return in December, and she may just be back for good. After the Gold Cup, though, it seems she may need to fight for her spot.
She was last seen in the USWNT’s bad, bad loss to Mexico, where she struggled to cope. Would that have looked different with a faster, younger centerback in the mix? Almost certainly, but it still didn’t help.
Dahlkemper adds some veteran experience to a team that may not have much of that next summer and, due to her relationship with Girma, she may provide an answer at the second centerback spot if it comes down to it.
22Casey Murphy ⬇️
Casey Murphy started in goal for the second friendly against South Africa in September and the second friendly against Colombia in October, which was a good indication that she remains Naeher’s primary backup. With Naeher out, she then started the opener against China, keeping a clean sheet in the process, but returned to her backup spot durig the Gold Cup.
What will the goalkeeping picture look like under Hayes? It feels too soon to say for sure, but it seems that, at 27, Murphy is the heir apparent for when Naeher does end up calling it quits.
23 Lynn Williams ⬆️
USWNT fans wondered why Williams didn’t play a bigger role at the World Cup but, if September was any indication, she’s ready for a bigger role at the Olympics. Williams was fantastic in the first game against South Africa, offering a glimpse into what might have been. She featured a bit more sparingly in the matches after, but she’s very much still in the mix.
At 30, Williams would represent the veteran option among some of the younger names on this list, which will be a tough decision to make.
24 Casey Krueger ⬇️
For the first half of the first game against China in December, it was crazy how good Krueger was. Starting at right-back, she ran up and down the field, creating havoc that led to chance after chance.
The 33-year-old defender was a member of the last Olympics squad and has long been one of the best at her position in the NWSL. A hot start to the 2024 season can surely keep her involved.
25 Savannah DeMelo ⬇️
A stunning inclusion in the World Cup squad, DeMelo then surprisingly played significant minutes at last summer’s tournament. Now, though, she’s battling for her place in midfield.
The Racing Louisville star brings an attacking mindset to the midfield group and, at just 25, she really is just getting started with the USWNT. She may be the best like-for-like Lavelle replacement in the pool but, with Lavelle healthy, that may not be as necessary. Her exclusion from the Gold Cup roster indicates where she is right now: on the bubble.
26 Alana Cook ⬇️
Cook was one of only three squad members not to get on the field at the World Cup, which was stunning considering the team’s issues at centerback. Cook has had some down moments in a USWNT shirt, but she can also be a steady, reliable defender on her day, as evidenced by her performances in October.
She’ll be 27 when the Olympics start, just entering her prime, and could legitimately play her way back into the starting XI next to Girma heading towards that tournament. However, her pre-Gold Cup injury robbed her of a big chance to make her case.
27Alyssa Thompson ⬇️
Swanson’s injury made Thompson’s ascendance happen sooner than expected. She’s just 19 and now has a whole World Cup under her belt. The question, though, is if she’s currently one of the five or so best forward options the USWNT can call upon.
In October, she made her case, providing a fantastic assist in the second Colombia friendly. She didn’t get nearly enough game time in December and missed out on the Gold Cup, unfortunately for her, as the depth of attacking talent is becoming increasingly clear. She can go toe-to-toe with any of the others in that pool, though.
28 Andi Sullivan ⬇️
While she may have been miscast a bit in Andonovski’s system, Sullivan is still a helpful presence to have in midfield. Over the next year, the U.S. may flip their midfield personnel, and even if they don’t, Sullivan is very much still in the mix as a more defensive presence.
She’ll need to beat out some others, though, as there are a few players vying for spots in the center. Her exclusion in the most recent camp is proof that the USWNT midfield is seemingly evolving.
29 Sofia Huerta ⬇️
Huerta’s ability on the ball will certainly keep her in the mix for an Olympic spot. Her ability to cross is a legitimate weapon, but we don’t yet know how much the next coach will value that weapon.
She’ll be 31 next summer, so is very much still in her prime, but with roster spots limited, it remains to be seen how m
any full-backs the USWNT can really carry, particularly with others rising to the occasion.
30 Ashley Sanchez ⬇️
Another World Cup veteran, and another player whose role wasn’t very big this past summer was Sanchez, who didn’t see the field Down Under. So, what does that mean going forward?
She’s another player that will remain in the player pool and, at just 24, she’ll keep getting better. However, right now, she’s a player caught between generations as the old guard hangs on for one more go before a series of young stars take center stage, if they haven’t already.
31 Jane Campbell 🌟
Jane Campbell is in a tough spot as the third goalkeeper in line ahead of a competition where you only carry two. Still, not all hope is lost, as the reigning NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year could very well find herself in the squad next summer if she starts the season on a tear or, more likely, if there’s an injury to one of the two in front of her.
32 M.A. Vignola ⬇️
Twenty-five-year-old defender M.A. Vignola is a bit of a late bloomer after foregoing the NWSL to initially begin her career overseas.
Now back in the U.S. with Angel City, Vignola is making a name for herself and earned her first cap during the September camp. She was back in October and December, but didn’t see the field before missing out on the Gold Cup altogether. Don’t write her off, though, as there are still some places to fight for at fullback.
33 Ashley Hatch ⬇️
Ashley Hatch fell just short of a World Cup spot as she just couldn’t quite score the goals needed with the USWNT to force her way in. Hatch is an NWSL Golden Boot winner, though, and she’s still around the team, having been called up plenty to close 2023.
If she’s scoring to start the 2024 NWSL season, she will have to come into consideration.
34 Kelley O’Hara ⬇️
Kelley O’Hara hasn’t officially said goodbye yet, so there’s a chance she could be the veteran face in the Olympic squad. She featured three times off the bench at the World Cup, proving that she could still play.
An Olympic run seems unlikely for the 35-year-old, but stranger things have happened with this team.
35Aubrey Kingsbury ⬇️
The third goalkeeper at the World Cup, Kingsbury was left off the Gold Cup roster, having seemingly been surpassed by Campbell. Because of that, it’s tough to see her making a run at the Olympics, particularly with roster spots at a premium.
36Mia Fishel ⬇️
It looked like her time, but Fishel’s Olympic dream is over.
Her ACL injury will keep her out for some time, which is a real shame considering how close she was to a starting spot. It really felt like the Gold Cup could have been her moment, particularly with Morgan originally left out of the team.
She’ll be back in 2025, and the hope is that she’ll have her big breakout when healthy.