USWNT win over Australia 2-1 at SheBelieves with dynamic young lineup

For the USWNT the tradition of the SheBelieves Cup is one of winning, having won every single edition of the home grown tournament. However, for Emma Hayes the tournament represents a fresh opportunity to establish younger players into the rotation and create momentum and muscle memory for tournament football that can only come from focusing on the details and preparation in situations with real stakes. In front of 22,000 fans setting a record for the USWNT in Arizona, the table was set for stakes that would reverberate into Wednesday’s final against Japan.

However, the fixture against Australia also meant an opportunity for Hayes to experiment with a completely different starting 11 game over game with Lynn Biyendolo at the stretch 9 position where she would capitalize within one minute of starting the game off an assist from Jaedyn Shaw playing at her preferred 10 spot. This was Lynn’s first goal since changing her name, and ironically against her husband’s home country. The lineup featuring speed infused by the Thompson sisters starting for their first time together for the USWNT, as well as Crystal Dunn still looking for her first 90 minutes since playing at the Olympics and transferring to her new club PSG, was purposely designed to take advantage of Australia’s high defensive line leaving space on the wings for the speedy Thompsons to take advantage, and connecting with the versatile Shaw and Biyendolo.

For Australia currently ranked 15th in the world, this tournament is an opportunity to create momentum for younger players as the 9 currently over 30 players look forward to the World Cup campaign. Australia was without the services of their star player Sam Kerr for this match as she continues to recover from an ACL injury.

At the hour mark Emma Hayes looked to make significant changes to the offensive line keeping Shaw as the 10 and Sentnor as the 9. Sentnor scored a magnificent first goal for the USWNT against Columbia in Houston on Thursday. Hayes has valued her grit and hard work to become a fixture on the team, and she made immediate impact in connection with Michelle Cooper who also scored her first international goal in the 68th minute off an assist from Sentnor.

Australia responded with an incredible heading goal by Michelle Heyman off a cross by Hayley Raso catching the US off guard on a full field counter attack. The goal placed the US in a position of having to win against Japan in the final on Wednesday due to goal differential. Japan has been in great form in the SheBelieves with their 4-1 defeat of Columbia and Tanaka leading goal scorers with 4 in the tournament.

For the USWNT the lineup of younger talent against Australia represents the promise of the depth of this team which continues to find the chemistry it needs to create a deep run in the World Cup. It also represents Emma Hayes’ long term vision for building transformative infrastructure that will last beyond the upcoming World Cup. For Hayes the bet is not only on the current but the future of women’s football in America.