Top things we learned from the USWNT’s Thursday win over Iceland
The Paris 2024 gold medallists returned to action with a win, beating Iceland 3-1 on Thursday (24 October).
Football
The United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) returned to action with a bang on Thursday night, beating Iceland 3-1.
Their European side kept the US level until two late goals made the difference.
Teenage sensation Alyssa Thompson opened the scoring in the first half for the USA, before Jaedyn Shaw and Sophia Smith both got on the scoresheet in the last 10 minutes to make Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir’s 56th-minute effort nothing more than a consolation goal.
Here are the top things we noticed from Emma Hayes’s side's first outing since winning gold at Paris 2024…
Teenage kicks
The night was all about the next-gen stars for the USWNT, with two of them getting on the scoresheet.
Thompson and Shaw become the first pair of teens to score in a single match for the Americans since 2001 when a trio of promising stars scored against Norway.
For 19-year-old Alyssa Thompson, it was her first goal for her national team in only her tenth appearance.
“Coming on to the field and wearing the jersey in the beginning, I was like, 'this is surreal',” Thompson said at full-time.
“Being able to get my first goal… I just can’t describe how I feel. I’m just so happy.”
Hayes’s faith in the young players in her squad continues to pay off – with sights firmly set on the road to 2027 and LA2028, which are back-to-back World Cup and Olympic tournament cycles, the talent pool is likely to expand.
Debutants are just getting started
Two debutants featured in Thursday’s victory, one of which was a long time coming.
Hal Hershfelt was the second newly capped player of the night when she replaced Sam Coffey for the final 20 minutes.
The 23-year-old has had to be patient, even named as one of the USA’s four alternates for the Paris 2024 Olympics in the summer, but looked right at home in the middle of the park when she came on.
A rookie in the NWSL this season, she has been knocking on the door of her first appearance under Hayes and played her part in helping the gold medallists go on to win the game.
The evening’s first debutant came six minutes prior, when Yazmeen Ryan replaced Mallory Swanson.
Ryan is already a two-time NWSL Championship winner but has stepped things up this term at NJ/NY Gotham and was duly rewarded with not only a call up, but a first cap too.
In her pre-game press conference, Hayes told the media that rotation would be at the forefront of these friendlies, particularly as the North American league enters its final stages.
As such, there will be room for the four other uncapped players in the squad to be called upon for the first time.
Whether it be against Iceland again on Sunday (27 October) or Argentina on Wednesday (30 October), Emily Sams, Emma Sears, Alyssa Malonson, and Eva Gaetino are all in with a chance of seeing the pitch as a USA player for the first time.
On the front foot under Hayes
Hayes is still early into her tenure as the USA head coach, but the signs are overwhelmingly positive.
Even if you were to take the gold medal out of the equation, it becomes more clear every game that the American side is on the right track now more than ever.
It’s not just in the performances, which have impressed in their own right, but the numbers back it up too.
They are now 11 games unbeaten since Hayes took the reigns, winning 10.
Iceland’s goal was just the third they have conceded during that time – but perhaps the most impressive fact of all, is that the USWNT are yet to trail a game in which the English coach has taken charge.
It shows the fearless style their new coach has instilled - no sitting back and waiting for the opposition to make the first move, but rather attack, attack, attack.
That kind of approach makes them a feared side for any team to face.
The best is yet to come
It keeps being said by players, pundits, and fans alike, but it really feels like Hayes has only scratched the surface of what is possible with this side.
Winning gold two months into her tenure was some achievement, but it speaks volumes about what they can achieve together with time on their side.
Speaking in the build-up to their win against Iceland, Hayes revealed that the games that come next for the USA are very much all about focusing on the aforementioned ‘27 and ‘28 tournament cycles.
“We’re really just reviewing internally how we take ourselves to the next place, and that involves a myriad of things,” she said.
“But it’s certainly been a really busy period post-Olympics, but one that I’m really, really enjoying.”
Her words marry with her actions – two teenagers on the scoresheet and two deserved debuts kicking off the international break.
The firsts are expected to continue, not just in this window but in subsequent ones.
Flexibility with her roster alludes to more players getting the opportunity to impress, but it also gives Hayes time to experiment and find out the best formula for success.