"You got to create competition, Hayes said last week. But to create competition, you got to give people experiences. Indicating that no one, including those previously in starting spots, was 100% safe in their role, Hayes said: I expect more competition as a result of the decisions we took last year. But you've got to perform. That's the bottom line."
"The absence of uncapped players signifies a shift. Rather than trialling and testing an enormous pool, the four-time Women's World Cup winners are moving toward refining the group Hayes has built as they prepare for the qualifying tournament in November."
Emma Hayes has transitioned the USWNT into a new phase of World Cup preparation, beginning with the SheBelieves Cup against Argentina, Canada, and Colombia. After taking over the team two months before the Paris Olympics, Hayes orchestrated a redemption run culminating in a gold medal. Throughout 2025, she systematically developed talent by capping 44 players—a record—and giving debuts to 16 players, the most since 1985. This broad pool development created internal competition and tested numerous athletes. Now, with no uncapped players on the roster, Hayes shifts strategy from extensive talent exploration to refining the established group. This marks the next critical phase as the team prepares for World Cup qualifying in November, emphasizing performance and competition among proven players.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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