The United States Women’s National Team will compete in Group B of the Women’s Soccer tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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The United States left the 2023 Women’s World Cup in shock, following a Round of 16 defeat to Sweden in penalties. The aftermath of the World Cup saw the resignation of then-head coach Vlatko Andonovski, and a transition to interim leadership with the appointment of assistant coach Twila Kilgore. 2023 closed out with six friendlies for the US, which resulted in five wins and one 0-0 draw in October against Colombia. Since, the team has prevailed despite some rocky performances and less than ideal weather conditions throughout 2024, winning the CONCACAF W Gold Cup that ended with a 1-0 match against Brazil in February, and beating Canada 5-4 on penalties after playing to 2-2 in regulation to earn another SheBelieves Cup title in April. The team’s 2-0 loss to a strong and revitalized Mexico in the Group Stage of the W Gold Cup exposed areas in need of improvement, but the team seems to be responding well to the new systems being implemented.
New head coach Emma Hayes arrived in the country just prior to the June international break, and will only have two more matches to ready the young and relatively inexperienced roster she’s selected.
Previous Olympic Appearances
The United States has appeared in each Olympic games since the inception of the women’s football tournament at the Atlanta 1996 games. They have an impressive history of winning at the Olympics, winning gold in Atlanta, silver in 2000 in Sydney, and three straight golds in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012 before a quarterfinal loss to Sweden in penalties during the Rio 2016 tournament. The Tokyo comeback the team hoped for fell short, resulting in the United States taking home their first bronze medal in women’s soccer.
Squad
Goalkeepers (2): Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Defenders (6): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave FC), Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
Midfielders (4): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
Forwards (6): Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns FC), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars), Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
Alternates: Goalkeeper Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), midfielder Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), midfielder Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit), defender Emily Sams (Orlando Pride)
On July 12th, it was announced that forward Lynn Williams had been elevated to the full team and defender Emily Sams added to the alternates roster as Catarina Macario withdrew from the tournament due to consistent irritation in her right knee.
Player to Watch
The poise and composure of Naomi Girma cannot be overstated. While we can’t be certain of how Hayes will compose the team, Girma remains a consistent presence whenever available for club and country. In the midst of her third professional season, the centerback has already won the NWSL’s Defender of the Year award not once, but twice, while also earning the title of 2023 US Soccer Female Player of the Year.
Girma’s elegance on the ball challenges opponents, with former USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe calling her “deceptively quick,” in an interview prior to the 2023 Women’s World Cup. That quickness, in combination with her strength in 1v1 defending, makes Girma nearly impossible to dribble past.
A key asset to her game is Girma’s ability to learn and adapt throughout a match, requiring attackers to problem solve as she closes space with ease. Her versatility and accuracy in passing keeps opponents on their toes; Girma boasts a pass accuracy rate of over 90% in all competitions over the last year according to FBref. Her season-to-season growth and improvement has been staggering, which is a startling reality for a player who still has so much room for development, and ultimately, makes Naomi Girma a key player to watch in this tournament.
Young Player to Watch
It’s not a stretch to say that when it comes to a defensive mindset, Trinity Rodman is one of the best forwards in the world; second perhaps only to fellow USWNT forward Lynn Williams. Rodman’s growth has seen her transform from a threatening attacker with undeniable potential to a strong, well-rounded player with an intensity and joy that is captivating to watch. She has the ability to carry the ball up the field, taking on opponents with a grin before leaving them behind to take a shot herself or send in a cross with astonishing precision, yet equally is unafraid to get back and defend or go in for a tackle.
Rodman will wear the number 5 in France, but given her defending is often reminiscent of that of USWNT legend and former Washington Spirit teammate Kelley O’Hara, it only seems fitting. Regardless of the expectations and role Hayes assigns her, if Rodman is on the field you will be entertained.