The U.S. women's national soccer team (USWNT) is currently navigating a significant period of transition, both by necessity and strategic design, as they prepare for future international competitions. This phase is shaped by the international calendar, which allows the team two years of friendly matches leading up to the Women’s World Cup qualification tournament, and nearly three years until the World Cup itself. A recent 2-1 loss to Portugal highlighted the challenges of this transition, marking a rare and sobering setback for head coach Emma Hayes since she took over the team more than a year ago.
The defeat, which came on Thursday in East Hartford, Connecticut, was a tangible reflection of the USWNT’s ongoing adjustments. Hayes described the match as disjointed and unrecognizable from her perspective, underscoring how the team is still finding its rhythm amid a roster that blends veterans with an influx of new talent. This was the USWNT’s first game in 113 days, and for nine players who were not part of the roster during the previous summer’s friendlies, the time apart from the group was even longer. The lack of cohesion was apparent, particularly in defense, as Portugal scored twice from set pieces, exploiting the chemistry gap among the defenders.
Midfielder Lily Yohannes, who entered the game in the 70th minute, noted the team’s struggle to maintain possession and control. She described the match as “a bit chaotic,” especially after Portugal scored their second goal, which led to more long balls and a frantic style of play that deviated from the USWNT’s preferred approach. Despite these difficulties, Yohannes emphasized the team’s effort to push through to the final whistle in an attempt to salvage a positive result.
The USWNT’s attacking unit also faced challenges during the match. The starting trio—Alyssa Thompson, Catarina Macario, and Michelle Cooper—failed to penetrate Portugal’s well-organized defense. Thompson managed only three shots with a combined expected goals (xG) value of 0.12, Macario took a single shot worth 0.08 xG, and Cooper did not register a shot. This underwhelming offensive output adds to the questions surrounding how Hayes will address the midfield and attacking dynamics moving forward, especially with another friendly against Portugal scheduled just three days later.
Despite the disappointing result, Hayes remains focused on the broader goal of building a cohesive, competitive team. Only seven players from the Olympic gold-winning squad in Paris last year are currently on the roster, reflecting a deliberate strategy to integrate fresh faces and develop depth. Hayes considers teaching and learning to be central components of her role, regardless of the outcome on the field. She highlighted the team’s response after the Portugal game, noting that players were broken into small groups for detailed film sessions aimed at dissecting the match and identifying areas for improvement.
The quick turnaround before the rematch against Portugal offers an opportunity to implement lessons learned. Hayes acknowledged the mixed emotions following the loss—disappointment tempered by optimism. She stressed the importance of facing challenges now during a friendly rather than encountering unforeseen difficulties during a critical qualifying match. Hayes encouraged the players to lean on each other and maintain a healthy team culture, which she believes is foundational for progress.
In a further indication of the team’s evolving nature, Hayes called up defender Eva Gaetino for the upcoming matches, including the second game against Portugal and a subsequent friendly against New Zealand in Kansas City. Gaetino’s promotion from the U-23 national team underscores the increasingly integrated approach Hayes is taking, with the U-23s regularly holding camps alongside the senior team. This setup allows for close observation and evaluation of emerging talent, enabling smoother transitions to the senior level when players are ready.
Gaetino, a 22-year-old center back playing for Paris Saint-Germain, was noted by Hayes as a player who has diligently worked to improve her game and earned her spot through consistent effort. Hayes cautioned, however, that being “next in line” does not guarantee playing time; players must continually prove themselves to earn opportunities. While there is speculation regarding Gaetino’s potential starting role, Hayes downplayed this possibility for the immediate future, citing limited time for integration following a travel day and a single training session before the next match. She also dismissed the idea that Gaetino’s height—she stands 5’11”—was a primary factor in her selection, emphasizing that timing and positioning are far more critical to