Page 83 - Soccer360 Issue 107

three consecutive shutouts in the knockout rounds over Japan (1-0), Germany (1-0), and Brazil. Working alongside Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, and Emily Sonnett Girma imposed a tight, consistent backline that gave attackers little to work with and made Alyssa Naerher’s life much easier between the posts.
Where the Women’s World Cup is typically seen at the end of a cycle, the Summer Olympics normally held one year later is seen as the start of something new. It is a tournament that the United States has used to jumpstart the next generation of players and prepare them for the next World Cup cycle.
That balancing act of cycling in new players to go with veterans rests on the shoulders of Hayes, who expertly mastered lineup decisions through the Olympics. Facing injuries to Davidson, Sonnett, and Rose LaVelle she managed to continue to get the most out of all three while keeping their risk of increased injury at bay. Korbin Albert and Sam Coffey in the midfield, and Jenna Nighswonger in the defense were all called
upon to spell veteran members of the team and flourished with their additional time on the field.
Having Lindsay Horan also helped in
that process of blending two different generations of players and turning the USWNT into one strong eleven. A lone bright spot in their disastrous run at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Horan thrived with the captain’s armband in Paris working to create a tightly knit midfield and connect the defense with the attack. Although she didn’t score, she didn’t need to and could focus her efforts on building rather than creating goal-scoring opportunities.
The USWNT may have won the Gold Medal, but they are still in a different women’s soccer world than in year’s past. But there
is a sharpness to this group, a chip on their shoulder that comes with having something to prove. That emotion and sentiment should worry the other contenders as another World Cup cycle starts and Hayes, The Triple Espresso, Girma, and the rest of this new USWNT look to build off of their Gold Medal.
TOP LEFT:
Marie- Antoinette Katoto for France
ABOVE LEFT:
Marta got sent off with a red card during the Olympics, but still lead her team to the finals.
ABOVE RIGHT:
Alyssa Naerher for USA.
RIGHT:
USA Defender Naomi Girma
SOCCER360 81
WOMEN’S
TOURNAMENT
BEST XI
Before we bid adieu to the 2024 Olympics Women’s Tournament it is time to hand out some awards. While we here at Soccer360 Magazine do not have any medals there are plenty of reasons to celebrate this year’s Best XI from Paris!
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naerher
(United States)
Earned three consecutive clean sheets against Japan, Germany, and Brazil to push the US back onto the Gold Medal stand since 2012. In the finals, her fingertip in extra time against Adriana helped preserve the 1-0 advantage.
Defender Thais Ferreira (Brazil)
Serving as Brazil’s center-back in a 3-5-2 formation is never easy, especially during the Olympics when there are no matches against minnows. But Ferreira held her own, forming a cohesive unit alongside Tarciane and Tamires.
Defender Naomi Girma (United States)
Girma’s tight, consistent marking stifled the high-scoring German attack twice and limited Australia’s chances at goal in the finale of the Group Stage. She also proved that in big moments she could be called upon to deliver, holding off Brazil in the final moments of the final.
Defender Marina Hegering (Germany)
At 36, Hegering put on one of her best defensive performances in Paris leading an untested backline to a bronze medal. She also showed that she can contribute to the attack, scoring their opening goal in their 3-0 win over Australia.