EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – The U.S. women’s national team are undeniably in a period of transition both by necessity and by design, a natural product of the international calendar allotting them two years of friendlies before the Women’s World Cup qualification tournament and almost three years until the big event itself. The 2-1 defeat to Portugal on Thursday was an unexpected manifestation of this very fact. Head coach Emma Hayes could not recognize her team in their disjointed performance, which marks the biggest setback she has suffered since taking over more than a yea ago. As the USWNT prepare to face Portugal for a second time in three days, though, time is on their side again – in the opposite sense.Emily Sonnett told reporters on Saturday that the USWNT had no time to be critical, but they should take their learnings and apply them as quickly as possible. “Having the quick turnaround allows us to layer in [learnings]The film sessions will be held and we hope to have something ready in two days.Hayes, who is in charge of her 25th game with the team, has learned a lot from the third loss. The head coach was quick on Thursday to highlight some. It was the USWNT’s first match in 113 day and for nine players, who were on the squad for friendlies played in June and in July but not this month’s matches, it was an even longer time apart. Portugal outscored their 0.85 goal expectation by scoring twice from set pieces. They did this because they were able to capitalize on the lack chemistry in a defensive team that was made up of both newcomers and veterans. It created a discordant game state for the attack, especially as the U.S. went down 2-1 with 18 minutes plus stoppage time left on the clock.How to watch USWNT vs. PortugalDate: Sunday, Oct. 26 | Time: 4 p.m. ETLocation: Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field — East Hartford, Conn.TV: TNT “I think to keep the ball more,” midfielder Lily Yohannes, who came on in the 70th minute, said about the instructions she received as she entered Thursday’s match. It was chaotic and we didn’t have the possession we wanted to, so I came on to try to help the team. Once they scored, the game became chaotic. [the] “The ball was flying out and there were a lot long balls, so we tried to push the game to its conclusion and get a goal.”
Hayes’s ability to resolve the midfield issues, along with the USWNT’s disappointing results on attack, will be of interest as they face Portugal again. Alyssa Thomas, Catarina Mcario and Michelle Cooper were the three players who started Thursday’s attack. They failed to break Portugal’s well-organized defensive block. Hayes’ good news is that despite Thursday’s disappointing performance, it did not disrupt her plan to introduce a new group of players into the team. Hayes has expressed concern about the learning curve created by the current team. Only seven of the players who won Olympic gold last year in Paris are still with the squad.Hayes revealed that the teaching aspect of her job is what she enjoys the most. “Whether we win or lose, if we play well or not, the constant part is that part,” Hayes explained. She also revealed that the team was divided into smaller groups to review the film from the match on Thursday. We had three great meetings this morning, after a day of travel yesterday.”The USWNT is able to use the lessons learned from the previous match, as the USWNT will be facing the same opponent in less than two years. Hayes has taken a more practical approach when analyzing a performance at a friendlies roughly two year before the World Cup.
Hayes explained that “you can feel many things at once.” “Of course we are disappointed, but we are very optimistic. We don’t want to reach a major qualification game and be faced with a situation we’ve never faced before. And I felt like there were some challenges in that match that we hadn’t dealt with yet. So I’m glad we’ll have the opportunity to deal those things. Second, we are a great team. I always remind the players to lean in with the team whenever they face challenges, no matter what shape it takes, or where the challenge is. I have said it before: a great culture, with great people, will always lead to great progress.”Eva Gaetino is promoted from the U-23sHayes always looking to the future made the decision to bring in defender Eva Gaetino for both the match against Portugal on Sunday and the game against New Zealand on Wednesday. CityAnother indication of the special role that the U-23 team plays in her World Cup plans. The U23s are now holding camps in conjunction with the senior team. Their latest camp took place last week before Portugal’s loss to the United States. Gaetino received a promotion as a result of Hayes observing multiple days of training.Hayes said that the Paris Saint-Germain defender was an excellent example of the consequences you can face when you are doing things when no-one is watching. “She needed to improve her game. She has been working on these things, and in the U23 environment was the standout. Now, granted, I say this to all of our players – don’t assume that just because you’re next in line that you’re going to get that step up. You must earn the right for this team. You deserve the chance to play in this team.
Hayes has thrown cold water on the idea of Gaetino starting against Portugal on Sunday. The team had a Friday travel day and only trained on Saturday, which is insufficient time for a new face to be integrated into the squad. Gatino’s 5’11” height was not enough for the head coach to give her a promotion. She is one of the tallest members of the squad.Hayes explained that being tall does not mean you are good in the air. “It is all about timing. We as a group were off on our timing. [on Thursday]Not regarding the back four.Sonnett stated that even if Gaetino, 22, plays a small role in the field for the next two matches, there is inherent value to an early stage player’s international career.
“I used to be a professional player. [U]I was able to play with the entire team. “It was only 15 minutes, but it is still one of the best memories I have,” Sonnet said. It’s a great thing because you can get a better idea of the atmosphere and you can learn from it.Gaetino’s inclusion in the senior team’s roster is a reminder, however, that the USWNT remain in the middle stages of their evolution, both from a personnel and tactical standpoint. Hayes wants to collect as much data as she can on her team prior to the World Cup qualifying tournament, which will take place next November.”I’m still, quite rightly, working through where our players are in those stages but I’ll say it again – I want to learn these things now,” Hayes said. “I made it very clear that I wanted Avery to be my partner. [Patterson] At left back, to see if that was possible. I want it to be very clear. I am looking at different situations in order to see the level of the players. I would rather that the situation from the other evening happen now, so we can learn the lessons, than have that occur 12 months later.
2025-10-26 01:53:21
