The U.S. women's national team is about a month away from its 2024 Olympic Games opening match against Zambia, looming one of the biggest decisions of the summer.
U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes is expected to announce the roster that will travel to Paris for this year's Summer Olympics.
This decision is difficult because the Olympics is a competition where only 18 players can be on the roster. Teams can also list up to four reserve players, but they will not be on the game-day roster or count towards medals. Teams must list two goalkeepers on their main roster and one goalkeeper on the reserve list.
There have been rumors about expanding the roster but nothing has been decided yet, and the roster, which will be announced as early as Wednesday, is expected to consist of 18 players and four reserves. The reserves could be added to the main roster if players have to be removed due to injury before the tournament starts.
Despite losing several players to injuries over the past year, the U.S. women's national team's roster has only grown, making the decision even tougher for Hayes. The new U.S. coach, who only played in two friendlies in June, will have to rely on her coaching staff to determine what a smaller roster needs and who can fill all the roles necessary to make a run for the gold medal.
So who should be on the roster? Putting together a roster without leaving fan favourites off the list would be an impossible task, but the Olympics' strict roster requirements mean that teams must prioritise versatile players over those who can only play one role (goalkeeper being the exception).
With all that in mind, here are the players I think should be selected for the USWNT roster.
Goalkeeper (2) Alyssa Naher (Chicago Red Stars), Casey Murphy (North Carolina College)
Defender (6) Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), Casey Kruger (Washington Spirit), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC), Jenna Neiswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
Midfielder (4) Lily Johannes (Ajax), Lindsey Horan (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns)
Forward (6): Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars), Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
Alternative (4): Aubrey Kingsbury (Washington Spirit), Sam Staab (Chicago Red Stars), Hal Hirschfeld (Washington Spirit), Cloix Bethune (Washington Spirit)
Of course, that list still includes many players who made multiple appearances for the USMNT, including Lynn Williams, Alex Morgan, Olivia Moultrie, Jane Campbell, Corbin Albert, Ashley Sanchez, Andy Sullivan and Alyssa Thompson.
But with the in-form players selected at the moment, leaving them at home would be impossible, and having a midfielder who can play anywhere on the field is important, based on some of the qualities Hayes likes. It's likely Hayes will deploy Crystal Dunn forward, but that doesn't prevent her from playing in midfield, and she'd also play left-back if necessary.
Sixteen-year-old prodigy Lily Johannes will be listed on the national team if she plays for the U.S. Women's National Team at the Olympics, which will likely be announced when the roster is announced. Cloix Bethune is the hardest player to leave off the list as she is arguably the best player playing for the U.S. right now. She has been a stellar performer for the Washington Spirit, but she will play as a reserve in case someone is unable to play due to injury.
We'll soon find out who actually makes the roster, but we believe that if Hayes goes with his selection, she won't just gain versatility, she'll have a U.S. team that's truly capable of contending for the gold medal.