October Matches - Oct 23, Oct 26, and Oct 29 including pre/pbp/post match

Sorry, At my age it is easy to get the big English clubs confused. My point still stands that PJT is a great 'keeper and learns, over and over, how to handle long periods with nothing to do followed by brief moments of overwhelming pressure. That, by the way, is the very definition of the position of goalkeeper.

I "think" that Dicky has solidified her position as #2 or possibly as a co #1. I also think that Hayes has been looking for a 'keeper to make situation where we have, for the first time in USWNT history, two 'keepers at the same time that everyone can have 100% confidence in. We have had may times when there were two 'keepers but the two were either both almost great or one was great and the other was a clear step down but we have never before had a pair where they both were at or near the "great" category.

To me PTJ (To bad her initials are not PB&J) is our #1 but I cannot fault those that place Dicky in first place. I am very confident with either in goal and, it seems, that the defenders are very trusting of either 'keeper and they listen to directions no matter which 'keeper is currently playing.

There may even be one or two others that are nearly there as well. We have had a lot of depth in the past but never has the depth been so profound at the goalkeeper position.

 

IDK the injury status on everyone, but I'd say if all hands were on deck:

GK: PTJ/Dickey
RB: Fox
LCB: Davidson (out with ACL)
RCB: Girma (now LCB with Tierna out)
LB: Dunn (still?)
CM/DM: Coffey
CM: Heaps (not as firmly as before)
CAM: Lavelle
RF: Rodman (MCL strain)
CF: Wilson (maternity leave)
LF: Swanson (maternity leave)

I believe 55 players have been capped since the start of 2024. Those 10 looks like they were first choice when available, + Hayes is still looking for Naeher's heir.

Whether they still will be first choice in 2027, or even next November (WCQ), who knows? I'd say Dunn and Heaps are the most likely to slide based on age, but Sonnett & Lavelle could as well. Other than GK, LB seems like the most open spot in the XI. But CB & CM could get interesting, too.

Judging based on PT is weird, since the entire frontline has missed the last year, so I'll go by position group.

1. Goalkeeper

Rank, Player, Pos, G/GS, Min, '25 CAPS
1. Naeher, GK, 18/18: 1,710, 0 (retired)
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2. Tullis-Joyce, GK, 4/4, 360, 4
3. Dickey, GK, 4/4, 360, 4
4. McGlynn, GK, 4/4, 360, 3
------------
5. Campbell, GK, 3/3, 270, 2
6. Murphy, GK, 3/3, 270, 0

It looks to me like #1 is still undecided between PTJ & Dickey. McGlynn as #3. Murphy has no caps in '25 and both of Campbell's were early and has not been in recent camps.
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2. Fullback

Rank, Player, Pos, G/GS, Min, G/A '25 Caps
1. Fox, RB, 30/23: 2,186, 0/2, 7
2. Dunn, LB/WF, 20/16: 1,405, 1/1, 5
----------------
3. Nighswonger, LB/WF, 18/11: 977, 2/1, 2
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4. Krueger, FB, 18/4, 559, 0/2, 0 (aged out)
5. Patterson, FB/WF, 8/6, 471, 1/2, 8
6. Sams, RB/CB, 6/4, 403, 0/0, 4
7. Reale, LB, 4/4, 349, 0/1, 4
8. G. Thompson, FB/WF, 4/2, 213, 0/0, 4
---------------
9. Rodriguez, LB, 1/1, 90, 1/0, 1
10. Abello, FB/CB/CM, 1/1, 90, 0/0, 1
11. Malonson, LB, 1/1, 69, 0/1, 0
12. Mace, RB/CB, 1/1, 60, 0/0, 0

At the moment, for my money, Fox is a lock at RB and Dunn is still the incumbent at LB. Patterson looks firmly as the #3, can play both sides, and further up the pitch. If she develops her chops defensively, or Dunn slips some, I think the starting LB job could be in contention. The #4 FB (if there is one on the 23) is wide open. Could be either side because of Patterson's versatility, and swashbuckler (if you think your CBs can provide stay at home cover at FB) or a stay at home type.

Patterson is more of a swashbuckling FB/WB/WM/WF type, like Dunn used to be. Both with forward in their backgrounds. Nighswonger and G. Thompson are in that mold as well. Reale and Rodriguez are more traditional FBs. Molonson somewhere in between. And the FB/CB types more stay at home (Abello, Mace).

Now, some of the CBs can certainly play some FB. Sonnett can abd has been deployed there some. A healthy Davidson can play some stay at home LB. McKeown spent a little time at FB one game. Bugg just did it for the end of the last game when Gaetino came on late. Maybe Staab as well? All of the stay at home variety.

This ability from my CBs could allow me to go light at FB on a 23 person WC roster, especially if multiple CBs (Sonnett, Davidson, McKeown, Bugg) can do it, and Patterson can play both sides. If it is 26, it may not matter as much.

RB: Fox, Patterson, Sams, Thompson (Sonnett, McKeown), Mace.

LB: Dunn, Patterson, Reale, Nighswonger, (Davidson), Rodriguez, Thompson, Abello, Molonson, (Bugg).

Combined: Fox, Dunn, Patterson. 4th up for grabs.

Dunn isn't starting at PSG. Her hold at LB could be slipping.

 

3. Centerback

Rank, Player, Pos, G/GS, Min, G/A, '25 Caps
1. Girma, CB, 22/22: 1,979, 2/0, 4
2. Sonnett, CB/CM/FB, 29/17: 1,914, 0/0, 9
3. Davidson, CB/LB, 16/15: 1,264, 2/0, 2
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4. McKeown, CB/RB, 9/7, 596, 0/1, 9
5. Sams, CB/RB, 6/4, 403, 0/0, 4
6. Bugg, CB/LB, 4/3, 288, 0/0, 4
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7. Dahlkemper, CB, 4/2, 253, 0/0, 0 (pregnant)
8. Sauerbrunn, CB, 2/2, 180, 0/0, 0 (retired)
9. Staab, CB, 2/1, 120, 0/0, 0 (achilles)
10. Wesley, CB, 1/1, 90, 0/0, 1
11. Gaetino, CB 2/1, 80, 0/1, 1
12. Mace, CB/RB, 1/1, 60, 0/0, 0
13. Cook, CB, 1/0, 45, 0/0, 1 (ACL)

Of the 13, Sauerbrunn is retired. Davidson was the starter & tore her ACL in April. Stabb tore her Achilles late July. Dahlkemper is 32 and pregnant. Cook tore her ACL in May. Mace was uncapped in 2025 and her lone cap may have been RB under Hayes. Gaetino's last cap was from the U23 squad. And Sams was most recently deployed as a RB.

A healthy Girma is the first name on Hayes' team sheet. She played RCB next to Davidson and now plays LCB next to Sonnett. Davidson was a starter pre-injury and for the Olympics. Sonnet since. And with her versatility, is a near lock at the moment, though father time could be a factor moving forward.

McKeown looks to have the inside track for the #3 spot, which is #4 if Davidson returns healthy. Especially with Staab, Dahlkemper, and Cook also out for a good bit. Time for all to get back into it, but also time fore someone else to claim that spot. Most likely Bugg with Sams lining up at RB recently.

1. Girma, RCB/LCB
2. Davidson, LCB/LB (ACL)
3. Sonnett, RCB/DM/FB
4. McKeown, CB/RB
5. Bugg, CB/LB

 

4. Central Midfied (double pivot).

Hayes' 433 has usually, to my eye at least, usually had a triangle shape with a double pivot at the base (Coffey + Heaps/Shrader/Hutton and a more advanced CAM/#10 type in front of them (Heaps, Lavelle, Shaw, Bethune, Sentnor, but no Macario yet).

This first section will look at the olayers contending for spots at the base of the triangle.

For those not up on name changes Shrader is Albert's married name.

#, Player, Pos, G/GS, Min, G/A, 2025 Caps
1. Coffey, CM, 34/27: 2,391, 4/2, 13
2. Heaps, CM/CAM, 30/26: 2,324, 7/3, 8
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3. Shrader, CM, 25/13: 1,356, 1/1, 4
4. Yohannes, CM/CAM, 11/7, 563, 1/0, 9
5. Hutton, CM, 9/7, 562, 1/1, 9
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6. Hershfelt, CM, 3/1, 134, 0/0, 0
7. Meza, CM, 2/1, 96, 0/0, 2
8. LaBonta, CM, 4/0, 83, 0/0, 4

I did not list Sonnett (primarily a CB), Moultrie (deployed more as an attacker recently), or Abello (only at LB for the Nats, but some CM for club).

We have a pretty clear pecking order here. Coffey and Heaps are #1 & #2 in minutes under the Hates regime and Heaps is the captain.

Shrader was clearly #3/#2, and started the Olympic Gold Medal match for Lavelle, with Heaps as CAM. Yohannes and Hutton have gotten more caps this year than Shrader, both are playing more regularly, and Shrader just got married recently.

I don't think there is room for all 5 + Lavelle & Shaw as CAMs in a 23 person roster. Maybe, but you'd have to go thinner elsewhere. Sonnett can give you some DM/CM cover as well. Now, if it is 26, then yes. I will say I think more of the CMs have already earned Hayes' trust to play in big matches than some of the fringe elsewhere (GK/FB/CB). Coffey, Heaps, Shrader, & Lavelle certainly. And Yohannes, Hutton, & Shaw are close if not there already.

After the top 5, I think the rest are clearly depth pieces at the moment. But if something happened to players in front if them, then they'd step in. Though I thought all have looked pretty good in limited minutes. Hershfelt is uncapped in '25, LaBonta hasn't started a match, and Meza only 1.

1. Coffey, CM/DM
2. Heaps, CM/CAM
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3. Shrader, CM/DM
4. Yohannes, CM/CAM
5. Hutton, CM
6. Sonnett, CB/DM
---------If it is 26, all 6 go------
7. LaBonta, CM
8. Meza, CM
9. Hershfelt, CM

If it's 26 for '27, then I like the top 5 to all go. If it is only 23, then I think Shrader v Hutton for the last spot + Lavelle & Shaw as CAM's.

 

5. Central Midfield (CAM, #10)

This spot has been doninated by three players: Heaps, Lavelle, and Shaw. While Lavelle was out Heaps moved up and played well, especially scoring goals. Heaps moving up opened a CM spot up next to Coffey, which was largely filled by Albert (now Shrader) in 2024, but more often by Yohannes & Hutton this year. With Rose's return, she apoears preferred at the CAM spot, with Shaw or Heaps 2nd choices. Yohannes, Bethune, Sentnor, and even Moultrie (I think) have also been deployed here, though Moultrie wide recently. Really, everyone in this spot has played somewhere else as well except Bethune: Heaps & Yohannes in CM, Rose as a WF or back in CM (though not much), Shaw & Sentnor as forwards, and Moultrie as a wide attacker or even CM.

Interestingly, the one player I thought would get some run at CAM, but has not, that I can recall, is Macario.

Player, Pos, G/GS, Min, G/A, '25 Caps
1. Heaps: CM/CAM, 30/26: 2,324, 7/3, 8
2. Lavelle CAM/CM/F, 23/18: 1,381, 3/5, 5
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3. Shaw, CAM/F, 25/11: 1,078, 6/3, 8
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4. Yohannes CM/CAM, 11/7, 563, 1/0, 9
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5. Sentnor WF/CF/CAM, 13/6, 562, 4/3, 11
6. Moultrie WF/CAM/CM 8/4, 368, 4/0, 5
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7. Bethune, CAM, 4/1, 87, 0/0

Really, I think I could have left Sentnor & Moultrie off, as they primarily play other spots. Maybe Yohannes as well.

But I think this spot belongs to Lavelle or Heaps, probably Rose, with Heaps in CM. Shaw next.

 

Well, it's driven by Artificial Intelligence, with an emphasis on Artificial.

 

if your an Arsenal fan, need to worry more about bad substitution timing, ended up ruining the game for them. There now in 10th place in the Champions League.
Emily Fox had a great first half with a goal, but some seriously poor defense vs Bayern’s Klara Buhl in the 2nd half would have to question now if she’s USWNT first choice at right back?

 

Women are smarter: "Man Smart Woman Smarter" - I Love Lucy 1957 S-6, E-21 CBS-TV

 

If anyone finds the following offensive then I am sorry but that does not make it less true.
I don't know for sure about smarter (but I would NEVER argue that with a women) but, from my coaching days I know girls are meaner than boys, they are also more devious. I never really decided if the extra meanness is genetic or just a result of different glandular functions.
There are a number of differences that cause behavior differences.
BTW: There is a well documented belief that women and girls that spend a lot of time together sync up their cycles and I have experience with that. I had a girls U16 team that practically lived together and there were days where I would show up to practice and just look at the team and the roll out the balls and try to stay out of the way. Otherwise I would take my life in my hands if I tried to structure practices on "those" days. 18 girls can thoroughly dismantle a human body in very short order if they get angry.
I do know that it is easier to instill a healthy work ethic in girls than it is in boys and it is easier to get them to play as a team instead of 11 individuals.
Also practices are different with girls and boys. In general if I told boys to do a particular drill/exercise they would just go out and try to do it even if I left something out. But, in the same situation, girls have to know the "why" behind the drill.

There are also differences in the way discipline can be handled. If a boy messed up badly in some way I could just chew him out in front of the rest of the team and that boy would think "I'll never do that again" and the rest of the team would think "I'll never do that." But if I did that with girls then the player would cry or at least cloud up and the rest of the team would get mad, at me. I could be just as hard with the girls but all discipline had to be done in private.

Girls and boys are both human, I think, but their responses to things are very different and that is true for women and men as well.

Now y'all can go ahead and pile on and call me sexist but that is not my intention.

 

This is probably not the most important point to make from this post, but as a female who actually has a period, this is scientifically proven to be a myth. It's been studied a lot, and has never resulted in valid evidence that women's periods actually sync up. It is well-documented that many women believe it, but the McClintock effect (what period syncing is called) is not actually real. A group of women who all have varying lengths of their cycles where their periods happen to sometimes overlap is just coincidence, not actual syncing. That coincidental overlap would probably happen even more often among a group of teenage girls who do typically have more irregular cycle lengths.

 

Hmm... well, I lived in my girlfriend's dorms for seven consecutive semesters, and it was quite remarkable how by November all the Tampax boxes, each with their owner's name on them, would appear on the bathroom shelf within about 18 hours of each other.

Maybe it was power of suggestion, but it sort of told one who was on the pill and who was not. (My girlfriend was-- her cycle was highly irregular and involved crippling cramps and severe bleeding. I missed plenty of classes holding her hand and applying a heating pad to her tummy and cold towels to her forehead. Later, after the pill had regularized her, her supplies were up there with all the others.)

 

Nope. Not touching this thread atm.

 

What I saw Fox 1v1 defending against everyone of Buhl’s picture perfect assists. FOTMOB ranked Buhl’s performance 2nd best overall performance in the Champion’s League with Macario slightly nudging her out for #1(9.6 vs 9.5(The big difference here is Macario did it vs the ridiculous weak amateur, St Polten wheras Buhl went up against the current CL champs


at least as far as USWNT immediate future opponents concerned(Concacaf qualifiers) the often hyped, up & coming Smith(Canada) & Hinds(Jamaica) didn’t look anything special—or at least part of that substitution lineup they choked big time in this match