The U.S. women's national team showcased their youngest lineup in over two decades, securing a 2-1 victory against Australia in the 2024 SheBelieves Cup at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix. Under the guidance of Emma Hayes, who remains unbeaten in her first 17 games as head coach, the squad demonstrated remarkable promise despite fielding 11 changes from their previous match against Colombia.
The historic evening was particularly memorable for the Thompson sisters, as both Alyssa and Gisele earned starting positions - Alyssa on the right wing and her younger sister Gisele at right-back. Their synchronized presence on the field marked a significant milestone for the family and the national team, though they couldn't produce a signature sister-to-sister play during the match.
Emma Sears continued to prove her worth, delivering an outstanding performance on the left flank that consistently troubled Australia's elite defender Ellie Carpenter of Lyon. Sears, who had previously made history by becoming the first player since Christen Press to record both a goal and an assist in her debut cap, was instrumental in creating the opening goal and nearly assisted another that was ultimately ruled offside.
The experience of Lynn Biyendolo, the most senior forward in the current pool at 31, proved invaluable as she not only opened the scoring but also provided crucial leadership among a squad dominated by players in their early twenties. Her presence helped stabilize the attack against a formidable Australian side.
The match highlighted the emergence of young talent, with substitute Michelle Cooper becoming the fifth player to score their first international goal in the team's last seven games. The youth movement was further exemplified by 20-year-old Jaedyn Shaw's impressive first-half display, despite missing key players like Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Wilson.
However, the narrow margin of victory could prove crucial in the tournament context. Japan's commanding 4-1 win over Colombia earlier in the day, following their 4-0 triumph against Australia, has set up a decisive final match. The USWNT must secure a win against Japan in Wednesday's final to claim their eighth SheBelieves Cup title in 10 attempts, as a draw or loss would see the trophy heading to Japan for the first time.
The performance, while not perfect, demonstrated the depth of talent in American women's soccer and the bold strategic choices of Hayes, who didn't hesitate to trust her young squad in a high-stakes international competition. The average age of 24 years and 102 days might have raised eyebrows, but the team's ability to secure victory against a strong Australian side validated Hayes's faith in the next generation of American soccer talent.
