It’s the final countdown for the U.S. women’s soccer team, as the Americans take on Costa Rica at Audi Field in the District on Tuesday in a final tune-up before the Paris Olympics.
The long-dominant U.S. squad is now in a state of flux. Former stars like Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Ali Krieger are absent from this year’s roster. First-time Olympians like Trinity Rodman, Emily Fox and Sophia Smith have filled their spots.
“This is a great opportunity for us to experience what we’re going to face,” Hayes said of the large crowd and intense heat expected Tuesday. “Just build on the stuff we’ve already started and try to maximize the opportunity for as many players to play at some point in the game.”
The American women have struggled since winning the 2019 World Cup. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, they finished with an underwhelming bronze medal. They followed that performance with a Round of 16 exit at last year’s World Cup after scoring just four goals in four games.
The U.S. is ranked fifth in the world by FIFA ahead of this summer’s Olympics. The Americans had never ranked lower than No. 2 before 2024.
Something needed to change for the U.S. team. Hayes decided in her first two training camps to welcome a slew of new players alongside a handful of veterans to ease the squad into the future.
“I think that it’s all about balance,” midfielder Crystal Dunn said last week ahead of her third Olympics. “You definitely need a bit of both to ensure that we are putting our best foot forward and also not just focusing on the Olympics. There is a generation that’s gonna go on, obviously, after this tournament.”
The balance has paid off so far. The Americans have won all three matches under Hayes, including a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday.
“There’s no denying when the game opens up, we thrive. My goal is to thrive in all moments,” Hayes said after Saturday’s match. “So, we still have a lot of learning to do with that as a team, as a collective.”
Saturday’s victory was a convenient benchmark for the Americans, who lost to Mexico, 2-0, in February. In their second matchup of 2024, the U.S. dominated with a stifling defense, even as the offense struggled to find a lone goal despite finishing with 17 shots and 70% possession.
Hayes said she wants to see those opportunities translate to more goals against Costa Rica.
“The amount of possession the team had, the amount of control the team had, it’s doing more with it,” the former manager of Chelsea’s women’s club said. “That’s what I want to see, particularly in the final third. … That, and just keep building the connections.”
The chemistry is vital for Hayes’ squad; this is only their second camp under her leadership. Some veteran players, including team captain Lindsey Horan, have stepped up to ease the transition.
“Lindsey, I think is doing a tremendous job. Communication has been excellent. .. She’s been here before and she’s sharing her wisdom,” Hayes said. “There might be some more vocal leaders and some that are less so, there is a quiet leadership within that group. But it’s the job of the whole team, not any individual.”
Several members of this year’s Olympic squad, including four first-time Olympians, boast ties to the D.C. area. Rodman, Croix Bethune, Casey Krueger and Hal Hershfelt play their home games at Audi Field with the Washington Spirit. Emily Fox, a defender with Arsenal, is also a northern Virginia native.
“A lot of familiar faces means a lot more comfort,” Bethune said Monday. “They can make you feel at home and I can just relax and be calm.”
But the fans at Audi Field will be anything but tranquil. Team officials expect 20,000 loud and rowdy fans in the final send-off match.
“I love that part, I won’t lie. I’m enjoying watching players in their home regions,” Hayes said. “That’ll be nice to see. In England, it can be sort of tribal. Here, it’s fanatical in a different way.”
Tuesday’s match against Costa Rica is slated to start at 7:30 p.m. The Americans will open Olympic group play against Zambia on July 25 before matches against Germany and Australia.
But Hayes said she isn’t thinking about those games yet. She’s focused on Costa Rica.
“We spend so much time wishing time away in our lives. My message to the team is the same for myself: be as present as possible,” she said. “I don’t want to wish it away. I want to enjoy it.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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