Emma Hayes' USWNT revolution gathers pace in dominant summer window

The Guardian

7 hours ago

The US women's national team have just wrapped up another successful window in an experimental year. After beating Ireland 4–0 in back-to-back friendlies, they defeated an experienced Canada side 3–0 in Washington, bringing their 2025 record to 8-0-2 while continuing to field youthful lineups full of emerging talent.
Emma Hayes' return to Audi Field came nearly one year to the day since they drew 0–0 with Costa Rica in their final tune-up before going on to win Olympic gold in Paris. Since then, the four-time world champions have turned their focus to the 2027 World Cup. Hayes has worked diligently to build the depth and cohesion needed to challenge for the title.
As of this window, Hayes has capped 24 new players during her tenure and started 36 different players in 2025 alone. With European-based players rested (with the exception of Naomi Girma), and key Olympic contributors absent due to pregnancy or injury, Hayes continued to hand out valuable experience. Here are the biggest winners and losers from this summer's international window.
Sam Coffey
Coffey made her 38th appearance against Canada and, while she's no newcomer, few players have cemented their importance to the team quite like her. After the win, Hayes noted Coffey was 'in the form of her life' and praised her drive to improve. Speaking to the media, Coffey said she would have preferred at least one more goal to 'really seal it'. Hayes on her mentality: 'She is always, always wanting to improve her game. It never ends. It's never enough. She'd sit and watch film permanently if she could.'
After scoring in Wednesday's victory, the Portland Thorns defensive midfielder now has three goals in five matches – level with Cat Macario and just behind forwards Lynn Biyendolo and Ally Sentnor among the team's top scorers.
Claire Hutton
Speaking of defensive midfielders scoring goals: Hutton rose to head home Rose Lavelle's perfectly placed corner in the 36th minute, notching her first goal for the US in just her sixth appearance. The 19-year-old has shown clear progress, translating her strong form with the first-place Kansas City Current to the international stage. Slotting in near-seamlessly alongside Coffey, Hutton has offered glimpses of a dynamic midfield partnership for the future.
Rose Lavelle
Lavelle returned to the USWNT for the first time in 2025 during this window and wasted no time reminding everyone of her quality. Starting the first and third matches, she was as deft and creative as ever in midfield. Lavelle scored and assisted against Ireland in her first game back, nearly scored off the bench in the second and was arguably the best player on the pitch against Canada. Hayes said: 'She's unique in the world game. There aren't many players like Rose Lavelle, and I genuinely think there is another level for her to reach with our team.'
Avery Patterson and Lilly Reale
Beyond Arsenal's Emily Fox, the full-back spots remain among the most contested in Hayes' squad. Twenty-one-year-old Gotham left-back Lilly Reale and 23-year-old Houston Dash right-back Avery Patterson – both converted full-backs with versatility – each earned two starts this window and made a strong case for long-term inclusion.
Reale, making just her second senior appearance against Canada, limited the influence of veterans such as Janine Beckie while combining well with Alyssa Thompson down the flank. Hayes on Reale: 'I think Lilly Reale is showing steady progression. It's great to have a left-footer as an option on that side. She's strong defensively, tough to get behind.'
Patterson, in her sixth cap, helped contain players like Ashley Lawrence and also provided a threat going forward, scoring in her first start of the window and providing an assist against Canada. Hayes said of the pair: 'I think they're at a similar level. Avery's better going forward; Lilly's better going backwards naturally. But they're both fast learners, and they're both adaptable.'
Alyssa Thompson
A word here for Thompson, whose pace and skill on the left wing made an impact in every match she played. The 20-year-old Angel City winger showed moments of individual brilliance, scoring her second international goal against Ireland in Colorado and adding a third in the next match off the bench. Though she didn't score against Canada, she remained a constant threat – her positioning and energy keeping her firmly in the mix amid a crowded field of elite forwards.
Jane Campbell and Casey Murphy
Another unsettled position in Hayes' squad is goalkeeper, which has been vacant since Alyssa Naeher's retirement. Manchester United's Phallon Tullis-Joyce has emerged as a likely No 1, following a clean-sheet debut against Brazil in April. With Tullis-Joyce resting alongside other European-based players, Hayes rotated her depth options this window and found promise in Seattle Reign's Claudia Dickey and Utah Royals' Mandy McGlynn.
Dickey started the first and third matches and made several solid stops against Canada, including a late save. McGlynn featured in the second game and held her own, though Ireland didn't offer many tests. Meanwhile, Campbell and Murphy may now need exceptional league performances to claw their way back into the conversation.
The doubters
Hayes has been measured in her assessments, methodical in her team-building, and realistic about the road ahead. After beating Canada 3–0, she stressed that the team 'hasn't done anything yet'. That's true, but over the past year, confidence and experience have spread across a broader pool of talent. There's still work to be done, but Wednesday's dominant performance was a compelling reminder that this is a team quietly assembling the tools required to contend for the World Cup.