USWNT are perfect through two matches, flexing depth at SheBelieves Cup ahead of title showdown with Japan

The US national team is unbeaten in the 2025 Shebelieves Cup, but is in second place behind Japan with a final game between the two parties on Wednesday. The USWNT will be confronted with what is perhaps their most difficult opponent this tournament against Japan and a trophy is at stake for the final of the Shebelieves Cup competition day. Japan leads the competition with six points and a plus-7 target difference.

Even with the high bet, coach Emma Hayes explained clear objectives prior to the tournament. Shelieves Cup games are the first competitive matches for the program in 2025. After two games, the team ticks the checklist with two wins to start the year.

This is what has worked for the team so far

Player rotation

Although there is always a possibility to be too much change in one go instead of an advantage, that is not the case at all when it comes to Hayes that extends the player pool. The head coach played a completely different starting line -up in Game Two against Australia of the eleven players who opened the tournament against Colombia.

“Well, the objectives for the camp, for us, was to deepen the play pool by giving opportunities to less experienced players in high -pressure situations. So I think we have achieved that by playing everyone in our team in these first two Games “Hayes said to Australia after the victory of the USSWNT.

“The second was to develop a better understanding and application of our blueprint, our way of playing, and that we could close the gap of the players who are most experienced as the least, developing technical and tactical Application of those things, and see where that missing gap is. “

All players on the 23-player Shebelieves Cup selection were used through two games, so the last match could be a showcase who is impressed by the start of the tournament.

New players embrace opportunities

With so much rotation, more players earned their debut, earned their first starts and even scored their first senior national team goals. Forward Michelle Cooper played from the bank in two games and she scored the game winner against Australia on Sunday.

It was the fourth goal that the USWNT scored this tournament and scored the second as a very first goal of the national team. Ally Sentnor scored her first national team goal in victory against Colombia. The messages from Hayes for less covered players are consistent and one that places the responsibility for players to seize the opportunity for them.

“It’s simple to death. This comb is an honor for each of us to rent for a while. So enjoy every minute and know that we all belong. We are all good enough to be here. We all desire to be for To be here and express yourself in a way that only you know how much you have put to take yourself to this position, “said Hayes.

Depth development

In the days that led to the tournament, Hayes specifically noticed the outdoor position as an area that needs targeted development, and that midfielders and attackers must be versatile to stretch across the lines. While 17-year-old Lily Yohannes had a star in the game one against Colombia, the depth of the swimming pool again bends with a debut for 19-year-old Claire Hutton in Game Two against Australia and 18-year-old Gisele Thompson also brought a shift that Hayes praised.

“I think when you come up with one of the best broad players in the world in Caitlin Foord, that is not an easy achievement because Caitlin is very smart to play on the shoulder of the last player and to set himself up for the diagonal balls in Those areas.

Whatever happens on Sunday, expanding the player’s pool is a goal that has already been achieved, and developing the depth comes with time and more repetitions. Yet it is difficult to ignore the success that some players have found in their moments in the first games of the year, but Hayes is still arguing for patience.

“I have already said, in some cases it may mean that some players are now ready and some are ready for later, but we will not know until we test it. And finally, I think, because it is a tournament may be setting We think everything that goes with and help the players develop in their application of everything you do outside the field for 22 hours.

“So I think we do that. And we have played a high-quality team, very experienced team, so for our players to produce such a result (2-1), I think a really healthy indicator of our program is and The talent pool that we have available for us. “