sports
March 8, 2026
Emma Hayes’ USWNT built World Cup momentum with SheBelieves title: Three takeaways
The US head coach has built a deep and talented pool of players as next summer’s tournament in Brazil approaches
TL;DR
- The USWNT won the SheBelieves Cup, their eighth title, by defeating Colombia 1-0.
- Alyssa Thompson scored the winning goal, her fourth international goal.
- The team did not concede any goals throughout the tournament and has maintained an 804-minute shutout streak.
- Coach Emma Hayes highlighted the team's depth and the contributions from the bench.
- Key players like Emily Fox, Trinity Rodman, Naomi Girma, Sam Coffey, and Rose Lavelle are showing strong partnerships and form.
- Goalkeeper and central defense positions still have open competitions.
- The team's midfield cohesion has improved, with players like Claire Hutton, Lily Yohannes, and Rose Lavelle showing effective interplay.
- Concerns persist about the depth and goal-scoring ability of the striker pool.
- Potential returning forwards like Sophia Wilson, Mallory Swanson, and Catarina Macario could bolster the attack.
- The USWNT will face strong opponents like Japan in upcoming friendlies, with Japan being one of the few teams to have defeated Hayes's squad.
- The team's build-up play has improved, reducing the 'plodding possession sequences' seen in past tournaments.
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