The Emma Hayes Depth Project: Status Report

TrueCrew · Jun 2, 2025

Well, we are roughly 1 year into Hayes' tenure as manager, and over 1.5 years since her appointment in the fall of 2023. One of the thing she said upon being hired, and has reiterated numerous times since, is that the frontline players are great, but there was a gap behind them. Hence, the US, needed to develop better depth.

For my money, our frontline players, at the time Hayes was hired, were: Naeher, Fox, Girma, Dunn; Horan, Lavelle; Swanson, Smith, & Rodman. Emma quickly settled on Coffey to fill Ertz's DM spot instead of Vllatko's preference of Sullivan. And seemed to prefer Davidson to Sonnett, narrowly, though both were roster locks. Naeher retired, opening up the GK spot(s), and keaving us with a "core" group of Girma, Heaps, Swanson, Wilson, Rodman, Fox, Dunn (back from maternity leave), Coffey, Lavelle, Davidson, and Sonnett. With Albert, a healthy Macario, and maybe Shaw right on the edge of the "core" group, but not quite there yet.

With injuries to Rodman (back), Lavelle (ankle), and Davidson (ACL), plus Swanson and Wilson on maternity leave, 5 of 11 of our "core" players are currently missing, and likely will be for a while. The bright side was the core secured Olympic Gold last summer, we do not really have any important matches for a good long stretch, and Hayes now has an opportunity to accelerate the depth building project.

Which is the point of this thread. Hopefully to provide a starting spot for discussing how the overall project is going, where we think the pecking order stands at the moment, player form & fitness news, and other stuff. Especially in the times between matches when match specific threads may not be right on point.

This is gonna be a long process, a nd one I have not finished yet, so I will break posts up by position group. And each post will be me kinda working through it in real time, so I am sure I will make mistakes of various sorts: ommissions, typos, etc.

I kinda wanted to track where things stand at each group since Hayes took over. Who the starters seem to be, principle backups, what is the pecking order, etc. Kinda difficult with all the injuries and absences, and the fact Hayes is trying to build more than a 23, but more like a 35-50 person roster, but I am going be guided by common sense & the # of caps since Hayes took over. Which, for these purposes, I am gonna consider to be 2024.

I don't follow NWSL as close as some here, so if I mess something up or miss on someone's injury status, please let me know.

Sorry for the length, I will attempt the first position group in my next post to try and keep things in more manageable bites. Also, if someone else wants to jump in and do other groups before I get there, please do. The more the merrier.

TrueCrew · Jun 2, 2025

Let's start by building from the back, and look at GKs, the most wide open spot in the XI since Naeher's retirement.

I. Goalkeeper: 3 on the 23.

Since 2024, here are the players whom Hayes has capped at GK, through the China friendly.

#, Player: GP/GS; MIN. Notes
1. Naeher: 18/18; 1,710. Retired post OLY.
2. Murphy: 3/3; 270. #2 OLY. No '25 caps
3. Campbell: 3/3; 270. OLY Alt. 2 '25 caps.
4. McGlynn: 3/3; 270. In camp, 2 '25 caps. 5. Tullis-Joyce: 2/2; 180. Started China.
-------------
6. Dickey: 0: In camp at present.

Like with other positions, Hayes seems to be casting a wide net. Looking to onboard various players into her system. And not just settle on a starter, or enough players to fill a 23, but go well beyond that. Not just with the first team, but also strengthening the U23 teams and making them more integrated with the Senior team. I think some young players who have gotten calls/caps will spend subsequent windows with the youth teams and help integrate the senior system/ethos at those levels. In fact, I suspect some calls/caps may have that as part of the reason a player is called. Yes, they are talented, but they can also help integrate/improve the youth teams as well. Though, at GK this has not been a factor, as all the GKs Hayes has capped are 25-30 years old.

Anyway, here are the bios for each player:

Player, Age, # Caps, Club.
1. Murphy, 29, 20, North Carolina (NWSL)
2. Campbell: 30, 10, Houston (NWSL)
3. Tullis-Joyce: 28, 2, Man Utd (WSL)
4. McGlynn: 26, 3, Utah (NWSL)
5. Dickey: 25, 0, Seattle (NWSL)

If Tullis-Joyce starts vs Jamaica, she, McGlynn, Campbell, and Murphy will all have 3 starts under Hayes. Murphy and Campbell have more USWNT experienced and Hayes preferred them at the 2024 Olympics.

With Tullis-Joyce and McGlynn in this camp and the other two not, does that mean a change in the pecking order or just casting a wider net? GK #1-3 are all wide open. And the usual pattern is 2 vets + 1 younger.

I get the feeling Tullis-Joyce is in the lead, McGlynn #2, Campbell #3, with Murphy likely #4, but that is just a guess and me likely reading too much into the current camp. And the fact that Murphy does not have 2025 caps.

I do not think there are any injury issues here at the moment. 3 of the 5 are in camp now. However, Campbell was recently benched by Houston, and has been on the bench for the last 3 matches. If this becomes permanent, she'll obviously slip down the order if she does not secure a move. But too early to say anything for sure at the moment.

But atm, I will revise, go Tullis-Joyce #1, McGlynn #2, and #3 totally up in the air. Campbell still the only other GK to play in 2025.

TrueCrew · Jun 2, 2025

I should amend an earlier statement, we do play important matches prior to 2027, but not by much.

The '27 WC qualification process for CONCACAF is the CONCACAF W Championship, which starts November 24th of 2026. Teams reaching the SF qualify for the WC directly.

CONCACAF also gets 2 play-in spots, both of whom qualify directly for Round 2 of the qualification tournament for the Final 3 spots. Round 2 will consist of 6 teams playing a direct one off matches with the 3 winners getting in. 2 CONCACAF + 1 UEFA + 1 CONMENOL + the 2 teams that get out of Round 1 (2 AFC 2 CAF, 1 CONMEBOL, 1 Oceania).

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments...zil-2027/articles/everything-you-need-to-know

TrueCrew · Jun 2, 2025

Let us move on to the defense, and I will start at fullback. Hayes has played some version of a 433 pretty consistently, in my mind. I have not seen a 3 back match, IIRC. Seems like 4 in the back is a pretty safe bet.

It also seems that the two starters, Fox & Dunn, are pretty well established. However, with Krueger apparently done as an INT, there isn't much proven behind them, unless you want to move Sonnett to RB,,but she is currently needed at CB. Davidson could also play LB if needed, but is hurt atm.

To my eye, we seem to play kind of asymmetrically, with Fox (or the RB, Krueger, Patterson) staying at home more, and the LB (Dunn, Nighswonger, G. Thompson) getting much more advanced and often into MF. Though it could be a function of the abilities of the players involved. I cannot recall a Davidson at LB match (nor will we see one for a while) that could flip the script and have the RB be a bomber forward if it isn't Fox. That might be a late game move. Did G. Thompson have a game on the right or has it all been LB?

Anyway, here is the cap breakdown from 2024 on through China:

#, Player: Pos, GP/GS; Min. Notes
1. Fox: RB, 27/21; 1,984. RB starter.
2. Dunn: LB/LM, 20/16; 1,505. LB starter
-----------------------
3. Nighswonger: LB, 18/11; 977. '24 OLY.
4. Krueger: RB/LB, 18/4; 559. '24 OLY.
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5. G. Thompson: LB/RB, 3/2; 181.
6. Patterson: RB: 3/2; 159.
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7. Malonson: LB: 1/1; 69. Cap in '24.
8. Mace: RB: 1/1; 60. Cap in '24.

Nighswonger & Krueger both made the '24 OLY squad, though neither started a match. But Hayes has apparently decided to move on without the 34 year old Krueger, who would be 36 in 2027.

https://prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/...eger-uswnt-career-is-likely-over/80268985007/

If we had a match today we had to win, Krueger would be my #3 FB for certain. Surely on the right which seems more stay at home. At minimum, I'd have kept her around as a measuring stick for younger players. Make them beat her out, don't just give it to them. Anyway, here are the bios at FB:

Player, Age, # Caps, Club.
1. Fox, 26, 66, Arsenal (WSL)
2. Dunn, 32, 160, PSG (Premiere Ligue)
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3. Nighswonger, 24, 20, Arsenal (WSL)
4. Krueger, 34, 60, Washington (NWSL)
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5. G. Thompson, 19, 3, Angel City (NWSL)
6. Patterson, 22, 3, Houston (NWSL)
--------------
7. Malonson, 26, 1, Bay FC (NWSL)
8. Mace, 28, 9, KC Current (NWSL)
------------
9. Abello, LB/CB/M, 25, 0, Orlando (NWSL)

Fox, Dunn, Nighswonger, and Krueger were the Olympic FBs. Fox, Dunn, Nighswonger, and G. Thompson at SheBelieves in Feb. This camp has Nighswonger absent, with Fox, Dunn, Patterson, G. Thompson (listed as a F), and the versatile Abello (presumably as a LB).

I always think the versatility of Sonnett/Davidson could allow Hayes to take only 7 defenders on a 23 instead of the normal 8, but she took 8 defenders on an 18 person OLY roster with Sonnett and Davidson both there, so I doubt it happens on a 23, though one never knows. Abello is pretty versatile, but uncapped.

I'd note my "stay at home RB" theory may have bitten the dust with Patterson & G. Thompson apparently in the #4/#5 FB spots atm. Patterson is a RB/WB/winger and Thompson was listed as a F on the camp roster.

IDK if Nighswonger's absence is just resting her after a long season with Arsenal (where she was not an everlyday starter), or if Thompson being listed as a F means for the FB pecking order. I won't read much into either atm.

1) RB1: Fox, 2) LB1 Dunn, 3) LB2 Nighswonger, 4) RB2/LB3 G. Thompson, and 5) RB3 Patterson, with Abello at #6 is how I'd go atm.

TrueCrew · Jun 2, 2025

In terms of GKs, I should have noted that Campbell & McGlynn were the keepers at 2025 SheBelieves.

GoodHands · Jun 2, 2025

TrueCrew said: ↑

In terms of GKs, I should have noted that Campbell & McGlynn were the keepers at 2025 SheBelieves.
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But neither of those are of high enough quality for the USWNT's future.
At this point our only real hope is Phallon Tullis-Joyce or, maybe, a fairly new 'keeper from the NWSL. The one 'keeper there I have seen that I thought had a good chance to advance, Jordan Silkowitz, is not improving much and it appears that her training is moving her backwards instead of forwards. But she is still young and has a good chance to improve.

soccernutter · Jun 3, 2025

TrueCrew said: ↑

I should amend an earlier statement, we do play important matches prior to 2027, but not by much.
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Hayes made mention that there are matches scheduled, but no opponent as the Nations Cup tournament is taking place (assuming she is talking about European opponents).

soccernutter · Jun 4, 2025

TrueCrew said: ↑

Wide attacker/winger roles:

1. Speed/get behind: Swanson, Rodman, A. Thompson, Cooper, Purce (back from injury), Sears, G. Thompson.
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I mean, sure. The thing I'm seeing is that there is an intermixing of positions. Such as both Cooper and A Thompson both moving to more of an inside forward position (v. China), opposite the side of the field the ball was on. And IIRC, v. China, there were times when it went Patterson (with ball) Cooper, A Thompson, Macario, Heaps. And other times when it was something like A Thompson (With ball), Macario, Heaps, Cooper, Patterson. There was so much swapping of positions, I might be misremembering it all. So, while A Thompson and Cooper were used down the wings with speed, there was also a lot of diagonal runs made, by Thompson and Cooper, as well as Macario (moving wider while either Cooper or A Thompson tracked more middle).

And here, I can only speak of what I have seen with the players I have seen play this. It seems that starting during SheBelieves, Hayes went more for a swapping positions in the front line. Thus, we saw A Thompson pop up on the right and Cooper on the left. Or Heaps in a wide/winger role.

Beyond that, from things Hayes has said, we used to be more of a direct passing team. We could do that because of the great speed and physical presence we have had with our forwards. But Hayes is looking for more technique with that passing. Against Jamaica there were so many instances of short passes between 3 and 4 players, sometimes vertically, sometimes horizontally. A Thompson was involved quite a bit (and, of course, so was Yohannes), and when Sentnor moved inside she was there as well. When Cooper came on, Biyendolo was already on, and it seems more of a feed Biyendolo than the intra-passing when Macario was on, so not sure how Cooper would have worked with Yohannes and Macario up front (Yohannes was also already subbed off) with that short, quick passing.

G Thompson? I know Hayes had her listed as a forward, but she was a defender v. Brasil, and primarily a defender for club.

2. Tucked in: Macario, Shaw, Sentnor, Lavelle, Moultrie.

3. Combo: Swanson.
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And this is where I think things get additionally difficult to pin down the players.
With Macario, Heaps works well farther forward. But Yohannes was dynamite with Macario up front.
But when Heaps is on, it seems that Yohannes' role is further back, more of a box to box midfielder.
Yet, v. China, when Heaps was out wide, there was Yohannes leading the attack. As a box to box midfielder.
I also noticed, though, that v. China, Heaps and Macario were more interchangable. Not entirely, but Heaps would pop up in the box as the lead attacker. I do not recall the same for Yohannes playing the play-making role, though I could be mistaken.
And Moultrie seems to be somewhere between the two. Not an outright playmaker, and not necessarily dropping as deep as Heaps to play defense, but v. Jamaica (and I think also China) she popped up in the box as the lead attacker.
Sentnor...I'm not totally sure. Was she more of an inside forward? Maybe a shadow striker?
I would be interested to see how Lavelle slots in with these tactics.
Shaw, I think, would be more in the Sentnor mold. Though, again, I'm not really sure.

4. Unsure how to categorize: Ryan, Patterson
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I think Ryan I think will have some difficulty getting into a Hayes lineup. She's not really the winger Hayes needs, nor is she a play maker above anybody listed. It's not that she's not a NT level player, but I'm not fully sure where she would be in a Hayes lineup.
Patterson is primarily a RB, and emergency RW. Surely, it will take a lot to unseat Fox, but I'm excited with what she can do.

Pecking order:
1. Swanson, LW (maternity leave)
2. Wilson, CF (maternity leave)
3. Rodman, RW (back injury)
-------------------------------
4. Macario, CF/CAM/tucked winger
5. Biyendolo, CF/WF
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6. Shaw, CAM/tuckedcwing/CM
7. Sentnor, tucked wing/CAM
8. Cooper, speed wing
9. Purce: speed wing
10. Lavelle, tucked wing/CAM/CM
--------------
11. Sears: speed wing
12. Ryan: winger
13. Patterson: winger/FB
14. G. Thompson: speed wing/FB
15. Dunn: FB/wing

I have 5 CFs listed and 15 wingers. But 2 are in both places, so that is 18 players.
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I'm thinking of this differently. Not necessarily starting position, but more of a who-can-replace/fill-in for whom.
1 - Swanson or A Thompson
2 - Wilson or Macario (Biyendolo as a sub)
3 - Rodman or Cooper
4 - Yohannes or Heaps or Lavelle (primarily as a play maker; Moultrie as a sub)
5 - Heaps or Yohannes or Lavelle (Moultrie as a sub)
6 - Coffey or Heaps or Yohannes
7 - Coffey or Hutton (or Demelo?)

Again, not sure where Sentnor fits in here.
Not gonna get into the defenders in this post as there is less rotation and fewer major players out.

RalleeMonkey · Jun 4, 2025

I'm repeating myself from the other thread, but what the hell.

From what I can see, Emma plays something like this:

------------LW--------CF
-------------------------CM------------------------RW
LB------------6/8-----------------6/8
---------LCB------------CB---------------RCB

This can flip, depending on the personel. And, the 6/8 thing is dependent on the personel.
I'm leaving the 3E, Rose, and Davidson
out of it due to long term absence. When they come back, we'll see.

These are in order. But, where there's /, those players are indistinguishable for me.
My pool
LW: A. Thompson, Hanks, Tiernan, Dahlien
CF: Cat, Biyendolo, Tiernan, Sentnor, Hatch, Fishel
CM: Lily, Cat/Croix/Shaw, Moultrie/Sentnor, Kennedy
RW: Cooper, Tiernan, Sears, Turner/Ryan (Purce is tbd)
LB: Dunn, Reale, Nighswonger
RB: If the formation is flipflopped, so that the RB is the upfield attacker, then Giselle, Fox/Patterson
8: Lily, Heaps/Moultrie Heaps, Albert/Hutton, Meza
6: Coffey, Flint
LCB: McKeown
CB: Girma
RCB: Fox
Emily Sams and Jayden Perry would make my roster.

GK's Phallon and ?

I haven't included Demelo. I don't like the constant diving.

cpthomas · Jun 4, 2025

Something that occurred to me a few months ago: Back in the old days, coaches might have thought about trying to convert Hanks to a left back. I have no idea what defensive skills she has, so maybe there's no way.

NCChiFan · Jun 5, 2025

I see this thread evolving as the team moves forward, heh. Captain Obvious out...

Edit: from what I'm seeing, to actually add to this thread....WC ready new kids: Thompson, Lilly, Macario, Cooper, is right there also. The golie Joyce has experience in a big boy league and looked solid.

Too my eyes, everyone else (new kid wise) needs more time, and it is there. Also, Lynn B. Is slowing down, hate to see it. As long as the original Expresso Team makes it back in form I do not see her on the WC roster in 2 years.

RalleeMonkey · Jun 5, 2025

cpthomas said: ↑

Something that occurred to me a few months ago: Back in the old days, coaches might have thought about trying to convert Hanks to a left back. I have no idea what defensive skills she has, so maybe there's no way.
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Ya, that's Patterson's story, right?

Never know how it shakes out - I really don't think it will happen w/ Hanks, she's so talented. But, maybe, or maybe w/ the NT that happens with Dahlien? She gets Dunned?

I'm wondering how Gisele would do on the left, but another part of me likes the idea of having Alyssa at LAW and Gisele as an overlapping RB. But, dang, Alyssa likes to pinch in, and having G as the overlapper, that could be great.

Also, unless I'm mistaken, Hanks' Wake Forest team lost to Dahlien's NC team last season in the NCAA finals?

A few years ago, UCLA lost to Stanford in the Semi. That match had Macario, Wilson (Smith), Jess Fleming, Ashley Sanchez.

MiLLeNNiuM · Jun 5, 2025

Speaking of Ashley Sanchez, is she out for good?

soccernutter · Jun 5, 2025

RalleeMonkey said: ↑

Ya, that's Patterson's story, right?

Never know how it shakes out - I really don't think it will happen w/ Hanks, she's so talented. But, maybe, or maybe w/ the NT that happens with Dahlien? She gets Dunned?
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I think what we are going to find out is that there are a group of very talented players who are barely not there. And I mean barely. On one hand, that is o disappointing for them, and on the other, says how good the pool of players are. I'm wondering if Hanks and Dahlien are going to be in that group.

I'm wondering how Gisele would do on the left, but another part of me likes the idea of having Alyssa at LAW and Gisele as an overlapping RB. But, dang, Alyssa likes to pinch in, and having G as the overlapper, that could be great.
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I'm not sure where G Thompson will ultimately end up. From what I have seen, she plays RB. But that is Fox and Patterson ahead of her. Yet, I've also come across various comments (and even seen her play) a right winger-type role. And she definitely gets forward from RB, so...where will she end up? I half get the impression that she will be in that group that barely not called up often.

Oh, and I think Biyendolo will be involved through 2027 mostly because she can be that late sub who is able to fight for and with the ball, and put in the occasional goal. She has that great strength which can be so devastating late in matches as a sub v. tired defenders.

RalleeMonkey · Jun 5, 2025

MiLLeNNiuM said: ↑

Speaking of Ashley Sanchez, is she out for good?
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My impression of Ashley is that she's inconsistent? She sometimes makes spectacular plays, and sometimes is inaccurate on basic passes?

Who know where her road goes. But, having Lobanta called in ahead of her is not a good sign for the short term.

Ashley is 26, she can still improve. But, the competition for spots is fierce.

dams · Jun 7, 2025

Good thread!

Pretty obvious stuff, but my near lock "newcomers" at this point are as follows

Cat - Emma brought her into Chelsea and continues to rave about her, and she will only get better as she puts her injury further in the rear view mirror. I'd imagine Hayes projects her as a starter in 27 at this point. Whether it's as 10 or she breaks up the expresso (assuming they are even all available) remains to be seen.

Yohannes - Emma has tried to pump the brakes on her at every presser, trying to ease some of the pressure on the kid, but she knows exactly what she has. 17 is really young to be doing what she is doing. Very few can impact a game at this level at this age like Lily can and it's a pretty good indicator of eventual ceiling. Absolutely no guarantees, but she can be world class, it will be fun to watch her develop.

A. Thompson - She has become a plug and play replacement for Mal now. She still is not at Swanson's in form level IMO but she may get there, and Mal's in form level has not always been that reliable.

Everyone else starts to get speculative IMO.

Sentnor has significant weaknesses in her game still that might hurt her but she also appears to have an innate sense for getting herself into dangerous spots, and has the ability to finish. If she can continue this going forward, particularly against better teams, it's going to be tough to keep her off the team. Scoring goals in soccer is hard, at the highest levels of the game it's really freaking hard. If she can continue to put the ball in the back of there net, there will be a place for her on the team regardless.

Other young players that I get the sense that Emma likes at this point are include Joyce, Hutton, Patterson, G. Thompson, Cooper.

Not sure how she views the players that got sent to the 23's like Shaw and Albert.

So much can and will change. One thing seems apparent, competition for roster spots is going to be brutal. Should be a fun ride seeing how it all plays out. Can't wait for qualifying.

soccernutter · Jun 9, 2025

dams said: ↑

Yohannes - Emma has tried to pump the brakes on her at every presser, trying to ease some of the pressure on the kid, but she knows exactly what she has. 17 is really young to be doing what she is doing. Very few can impact a game at this level at this age like Lily can and it's a pretty good indicator of eventual ceiling. Absolutely no guarantees, but she can be world class, it will be fun to watch her develop.
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I think that a lot of people are not really wrapping their head around Yohannes being a current starter for one of the two or three best teams in the world. At 17. That is stunning, and really says how good she is, currently.

A. Thompson - She has become a plug and play replacement for Mal now. She still is not at Swanson's in form level IMO but she may get there, and Mal's in form level has not always been that reliable.
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If A. Thompson is able to figure out how to fight off the defenders, I think she might supplant Swanson. That said, Swanson has not played with these new tactics and I'd be interested to see how she fits in.

RalleeMonkey · Jun 9, 2025

soccernutter said: ↑

I think that a lot of people are not really wrapping their head around Yohannes being a current starter for one of the two or three best teams in the world. At 17. That is stunning, and really says how good she is, currently.

If A. Thompson is able to figure out how to fight off the defenders, I think she might supplant Swanson. That said, Swanson has not played with these new tactics and I'd be interested to see how she fits in.
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Agree about Lily. Excited to see how she plays against top tier opposition.

dams · Jun 9, 2025

soccernutter said: ↑

If A. Thompson is able to figure out how to fight off the defenders, I think she might supplant Swanson. That said, Swanson has not played with these new tactics and I'd be interested to see how she fits in.
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I think Thompson is getting better at dealing with the physicality and pressure. She will never be able to shed defenders to degree some larger forwards can but she can mitigate that through her awareness and decision making. I think she has already come a long way in that regard and is becoming more comfortable with the speed of the game at this level.

I rate Mal very very highly. She was basically doing what Lily is doing now back when she was 17. Different position and different skillset, but Mal Pugh was a handful for defenders on the international stage when she was 17-18. She then had that period for a few years after her breakout where she was always injured and maybe lost some confidence and that is what a lot of people remember.

The 12-18 months just prior to that knee injury she was the best player on the National team and the best player in the NWSL IMO. She was almost a one woman show on a pretty bad Chicago team. Mal and Cat were both starting to gel together before the injuries. What might have been. Then coming back from her knee Swanson was arguably the best player on the Gold medal Olympic squad.

I think she is world class when her game is on. Who knows what she will be like after coming back from the layoff though. It's not out of the realm that Alyssa is the better player at that point, but she has a ways to go if she wants to reach Mal's level at her peak IMO.

soccernutter · Jun 9, 2025

RalleeMonkey said: ↑

Agree about Lily. Excited to see how she plays against top tier opposition.
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I'm half considering going to see them play Ireland on the 26th. But it will be about an hour drive one-way for me on a weekday, and it is Ireland, so probably not. Might depend on the roster, though.

cpthomas · Jun 9, 2025

dams said: ↑

I think Thompson is getting better at dealing with the physicality and pressure. She will never be able to shed defenders to degree some larger forwards can but she can mitigate that through her awareness and decision making. I think she has already come a long way in that regard and is becoming more comfortable with the speed of the game at this level....
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On the dealing with physicality question, I think of Rapinoe when she was in her prime. Having seen her close up in person, she was surprisingly thin. But she loved physically mixing it up. It was an attitude thing. Perhaps with Thompson the question more is psychological than physical -- can she come to love the physicality?

dams · Jun 9, 2025

cpthomas said: ↑

On the dealing with physicality question, I think of Rapinoe when she was in her prime. Having seen her close up in person, she was surprisingly thin. But she loved physically mixing it up. It was an attitude thing. Perhaps with Thompson the question more is psychological than physical -- can she come to love the physicality?
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Rapino is two inches taller, but yeah I agree that it's not all about size. There are always going to be smaller players who play bigger. A lot comes down to strength, play style, and leverage. Some players are really good at using their bodies to gain leverage. Thompson doesn't necessarily strike me as one of those, but maybe as she matures that will change.

RalleeMonkey · Jun 9, 2025

dams said: ↑

Rapino is two inches taller, but yeah I agree that it's not all about size. There are always going to be smaller players who play bigger. A lot comes down to strength, play style, and leverage. Some players are really good at using their bodies to gain leverage. Thompson doesn't necessarily strike me as one of those, but maybe as she matures that will change.
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And she's 20. She'll fill out.

I worry about her playing the Irish. They were butchers the last time we played them. They should be wearing aprons.

TimB4Last · Jun 9, 2025

RalleeMonkey said: ↑

And she's 20. She'll fill out.

I worry about her playing the Irish. They were butchers the last time we played them. They should be wearing aprons.
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Only Colombia has been able to take the starch of of them.

RalleeMonkey · Jun 10, 2025

TimB4Last said: ↑

Only Colombia has been able to take the starch of of them.
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I thought it was the height of hypocrisy when they pulled out of that Colombia match.