Identity and overseas experience: how the USWNT can improve for 2027

Numerous systemic issues within the US soccer ecosystem have recently come to the forefront. Additionally, with an Olympics less than a year away, there is immediate on-field work to be done. Presented here is a to-do list for those in positions of authority:

1. Establish a Clear Team Identity: The imminent appointment of a new coach has sparked curiosity and speculation about the team’s future direction, especially since Vlatko Andonovski’s tenure is ending. This decision holds significant sway over all other aspects. While names like OL Reign’s Laura Harvey and even England’s current manager, Sarina Wiegman, surface, it remains uncertain how the newly appointed US Soccer sporting director, Matt Crocker, envisions the women’s team. At this juncture, predictions regarding the new USA coach’s identity are largely speculative.

   However, the need for a distinct team identity is evident. The recent World Cup showcased a team lacking a cohesive identity. In 2019, the US blended superior athleticism, fitness, astute tactics, and technically proficient players (e.g., the emerging Rose Lavelle) to apply high-pressure tactics. Their relentless 4-3-3 formation characterized their approach.

   Nevertheless, it took time to refine this strategy. Following a 2016 Olympic quarter-final exit at the hands of Sweden, former head coach Jill Ellis embarked on tactical experimentation, including a temporary shift to a 3-5-2 formation. While the 3-5-2 proved inadequate, it marked a necessary step toward identifying the optimal system for the 2019 World Cup.

   Presently, the US faces a similar dilemma. Throughout the 2023 World Cup, the player lineup occasionally misaligned with the 4-3-3 formation, resulting in players being shoehorned into unsuitable roles. The forthcoming coach requires the green light from federation leadership to challenge conventional notions of the US women’s style and gameplay. This individual must determine what best suits the new player composition and aligns with a landscape featuring significantly improved global teams.

2. Expand the Talent Pool: The United States has historically benefited from depth, but emerging talents require opportunities. Positions like center-back are notably thinner than desirable. Naomi Girma shone as the team’s standout performer during the tournament, yet the absence of Becky Sauerbrunn exposed vulnerabilities. Julie Ertz admirably transitioned to center-back but has indicated her competitive swansong for the US.

   Sam Staab thrives as a center-back in the NWSL and merits consideration. Jaedyn Shaw, an 18-year-old playmaking talent, is a future prospect who should experience the senior-team environment. These players necessitate opportunities to prove their mettle in national colors ahead of significant tournaments. The rapid progression from uncapped player to World Cup starter, exemplified by Savannah DeMelo, is an exception rather than the norm.

   Leading up to the 2024 Olympics, the US can engage in up to 19 games across FIFA windows, spanning friendlies and the 2024 Gold Cup. This provides ample chances to evaluate new players, including the novel continental tournament. Hosting diverse training camps with fresh faces, gaining invaluable experience at the Gold Cup, can illuminate their potential.

3. Test Players Under Pressure: Inexperience marked the 2023 United States team, occasionally manifesting in crucial moments. Esteemed veterans like Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Ertz, integral to championship triumphs in 2015 and 2019, bore substantial pressure this time around. Many of them have just concluded their last World Cup campaign. The question remains: how prepared is this emerging cohort for the pressure of the win-or-bust standard, especially after recent events? Notably, they might contend in the next World Cup on home soil, expected to redeem this underwhelming tournament. Should the US host in 2027, the ensuing pressure on the team would be unparalleled.

   Players must thrive in high-pressure settings. While the National Women’s Soccer League offers weekly intensity, playing within cavernous stadiums in Orlando or New Jersey on Sunday afternoons differs from performing before a capacity crowd at a World Cup. Increased exposure to international games will acclimate these players to diverse environments, vital as roster changes persist.

In addressing these imperatives, the US women’s soccer team endeavors to forge a definitive identity, expand its reservoir of talent, and cultivate a resilience under pressure. The road ahead demands strategic decisions and fortitude, as the team strives to maintain its global dominance and attain new heights of excellence.