After a 113-day hiatus, the U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT) is finally set to return to international action, marking a significant moment as the reigning 2024 Olympic gold medalists prepare for a fresh chapter. The team will kick off their three-match October schedule with a friendly against Portugal on Thursday at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. The October window will close with a match against New Zealand in Kansas City on October 29. These games represent more than just friendlies; they serve as a crucial step in rebuilding and preparing for the future, particularly with the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualification cycle looming on the horizon.
### A Moment to Reconnect and Rebuild
For the players and coaching staff, this window offers an opportunity to reconnect after several months apart. The USWNT has been on a break since their Olympic triumph, and now, under the guidance of new head coach Emma Hayes, the focus is shifting toward long-term sustainability and growth. Hayes, who took over the program following the team’s historic 2023 World Cup elimination, brings a fresh perspective and a clear vision: to build a team that honors its past achievements while evolving to meet future challenges.
Hayes initially named a 26-player roster for the October camp, aiming to maintain flexibility across the three matches. However, two key absences will be felt: winger Trinity Rodman is sidelined due to a recent MCL sprain, and midfielder Sam Meza, who plays for Seattle Reign FC, is out with a mild hamstring strain. To fill Meza’s spot, Kansas City Current midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta has been called up. LaBonta is a seasoned player who has spent time with the senior team before the summer break, bringing valuable experience to the group. Meanwhile, Hayes plans to select an additional player from the U-23 team to replace Rodman, emphasizing the importance of integrating younger talent into the senior setup.
### Historical Rivalry and Upcoming Challenges
The upcoming match against Portugal will mark the 12th meeting between these two national teams. Historically, the USWNT has dominated this rivalry, remaining unbeaten with 11 wins and one draw—the draw occurring during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage. The American team has outscored Portugal 39-0 over their encounters, a remarkable statistic that ranks as the second-highest number of goals the USWNT has scored against any opponent without conceding, just behind Haiti.
While the historical record suggests a comfortable win for the USWNT, the upcoming matches are about much more than the scoreline. They represent a critical phase in the team’s evolution—a chance to test new players, experiment with tactics, and build cohesion ahead of future competitive campaigns.
### Emma Hayes’ Vision: Balancing Experience and Experimentation
Since her appointment, coach Emma Hayes has been clear about her approach: narrow down the player pool towards the end of the year while still exploring the broad range of talent available. She has coached 25 matches for the USWNT and given 24 players their first senior team caps, highlighting her commitment to experimentation and development.
“This is really the build towards qualification for next year,” Hayes explained during the roster announcement. “That’s what the start of this cycle actually means. And that’s not to say that this is the pool of players, solely. You know, it was difficult to make roster selections for this camp…but it’s the build for qualification for next year.”
The injury to Rodman was a setback to the initial plans, but it also opened the door for other players to step up. Rodman’s trajectory has been emblematic of the team’s competitive nature: once an off-the-bench option, she gained more prominence after star attacker Mallory Swanson suffered a patella tendon rupture prior to the 2023 World Cup. Now, as Hayes prepares to bring in another U-23 player, the door remains open for new talent to break into the senior ranks.
### The Growing Role of the U-23 and Youth Programs
One of the notable changes within the USWNT setup is the increasing integration of the U-23 program with the senior team. This October, not only will the U-23 players be involved in training camps alongside the senior squad, but the U-20 camp will also join the group for the match against New Zealand. This approach reflects a broader shift toward player rotation and