Five takeaways from the USWNT’s international friendlies

If friendlies number one and two against Ireland earlier in this window were more of a trial for the youngsters, friendly number three against Canada was Hayes’s opportunity to put her best experiment forward. It’s becoming clearer and clearer that Reale, Patterson and Hutton have passed Hayes’s test and will be a part of her long-term vision.

2. That doesn’t mean the veterans are being replaced

As much as this recent friendly window was an opportunity for the kids to prove themselves, it was also somewhat of a comeback celebration for USWNT star Rose Lavelle. The midfielder, who has been a mainstay on all the recent U.S. World Cup and Olympic teams, had been sidelined for a few months after her latest injury — an ankle problem, for which she underwent surgery in December 2024. 

But Lavelle was back on the pitch earlier in the friendly window, making her first national team appearance in about seven months, and to the likes of roaring crowds — especially during friendly number two, in her hometown of Cincinnati. And during this friendly window, she looked like her old self again — quick and creative on the ball, and turning set pieces into real chances for the team. Lavelle made it clear, to Hayes and to herself: she’s back.

Other veterans also continued the cases for themselves within a young team. Lynn Biyendolo wearing the captain’s armband for the first time in her up-and-down career with the national team was one of the most emotional moments of the friendly window. And though Hayes has been trying stuff out with center back Tara McKeown, when it came down to it against a formidable team like Canada, Hayes went with the 31-year-old Emily Sonnett, who has 109 caps for the United States.

3. A new midfield has emerged

The combination of Hutton, Lavelle and Sam Coffey in the midfield, with Hutton and Lavelle more central and Coffey occupying space up top, seems to be a winning combination. It was a formation that Hayes used repeatedly throughout the friendly window, and it worked for multiple reasons. Not only did the three use their positioning to open wide spaces for their teammates, but they also took their own opportunities as they came — each of them managed to score a goal during this friendly window. 

Questions circulate around midfield mainstay Lindsey Heaps, who has been one of the biggest names and faces fueling the team for years. Heaps has historically shown no signs of breaking, but at age 31 and no major tournaments for two more years, Hayes might be looking closely at players that can step up as Heaps has to begin phasing out from 90-minute performances. It looks like she may have found some.

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4. Alyssa Thompson: back and better than ever?

There’s a path that some USWNT forwards travel in the first few years of their career. They start out young and strong, appear in a World Cup or an Olympics or two, and then they fall to the side for some time. Mallory Swanson went through this rollercoaster, only to redeem herself by scoring the winning goal in the 2024 Olympics, and Jaedyn Shaw may be going through it right now. Maybe it’s because of their youth, and the pressure that comes with being labeled a phenom. Or maybe it’s because being a forward is hard on the body, and no one can avoid an injury. But one thing is for sure — these players do not want to be seen as overrated. 

The 20-year-old Alyssa Thompson is the latest USWNT forward to walk this path. She made the 2023 World Cup team, only to be dropped off of the 2024 Olympic squad. She recovered from a back injury, made her way back into the national team rotation, and, during this recent stretch of friendlies, looked back to be at her original form — a player with not only unmatched speed but true determination and grit that fuels her up and down the field. She’s had the ups and the downs, but after the past few matches, she proved that she, too, should be a part of Hayes’ vision for the future.

5. It’s crowded at the top

Thompson’s youthful speed and Biyendolo’s years of experience provided two distinct and effective strategies for the USWNT’s front line during this friendly break. There’s obviously space for others up front, but who there is space for remains unclear. Forwards like Emma Sears, Ally Sentnor and Yazmeen Ryan made big splashes during this friendly stretch and are certainly being given real consideration by Hayes. But the inevitable return of Triple Espresso — although that’s at least months away — means there won’t be room for everyone. Who will make the final cut? Luckily, as the international window closes for now, there’s time to figure that out.