Emma Hayes Sets the Tone for a New Era of U.S. Women’s Soccer by Blending Youth, Experience, and Accountability
As the U.S. Women’s National Team prepares for its highly anticipated rematch against Brazil, head coach Emma Hayes has unveiled a 24-player roster that blends experience with emerging talent—and sends a clear message: the future of U.S. Soccer depends on giving young players meaningful opportunities to grow.
Hayes, the 2024 FIFA Coach of the Year and Ballon d’Or Féminin Coach winner, brings her championship pedigree and transformational leadership style to a U.S. program eager to evolve ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
A Rematch of Olympic Proportions
The two-match series, set for April 5 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and April 8 at PayPal Park in San Jose, marks the first meeting between the USA and Brazil since their 1-0 Olympic gold medal clash in Paris. With Brazil ranked 8th and the U.S. holding the top spot in the FIFA rankings, the stage is set for another high-stakes showdown. 
The match at SoFi Stadium also marks a milestone in women’s sports—it will be the first-ever women’s professional sporting event hosted at the state-of-the-art venue that will also be a centerpiece for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hayes: “Every Player Has to Earn It”
In today’s media conference, Emma Hayes spoke candidly about what she’s looking for as she assembles her squad in this critical phase leading into the 2027 World Cup cycle.
“This roster has Olympians returning, less experienced players continuing to try to prove themselves, a few uncapped players and some players who have seen and done it all,” said Hayes.
“All of the players know they have to earn every roster spot, every starting spot and every minute they get as a finisher off the bench.”
Emma Hayes
Hayes emphasized accountability, performance under pressure, and the importance of building consistency—not just selecting talent for its own sake.
Investing in the Next Generation
The roster features a significant number of players with 10 or fewer caps (11 of 24), signaling a commitment to integrating younger players. With a game-day average age of 25.3 and a wide range of experience levels, Hayes is clearly looking to give the next generation meaningful reps on the international stage.
Two teenagers—Lily Yohannes (17, Ajax) and Claire Hutton (19, Kansas City Current)—will participate in camp, with Yohannes earning her fourth senior call-up and Hutton her second.
Spotlight on Catarina Macario: A Proven Soccer Talent Returning with Purpose
Returning to the U.S. squad for her second consecutive call-up following a lengthy injury layoff, Catarina Macario continues her determined comeback. The 25-year-old Chelsea FC attacking midfielder has already earned 21 caps and scored 9 goals for the senior national team since her debut in 2021.
Hayes praised Macario’s versatility and strength in the attacking third, especially her ability to hold up play and get into dangerous areas.
“Cat holds the ball up extremely well and gets into the box,” said Hayes. “Finding the back of the net is important. Players have to produce consistently.”
Catarina Macario is a versatile attacking player who has primarily played as a central attacking midfielder (No. 10), and a forward (No. 9) for the U.S. Women’s National Team. During her earlier caps, especially under former coach Vlatko Andonovski, Cat often played as a No. 9. However, at Chelsea, under Emma Hayes, Macario plays more as a traditional No. 10, organizing attacks and creating chances just behind the striker.
A former standout for San Diego Surf Soccer Club and Stanford University, Macario represents the complete pathway from elite youth soccer to the international stage.
In her recent comments today, Emma Hayes acknowledged the need for true No. 9s in the U.S. Women’s player pool—and that this is an area needing development.
A Nationwide Roster with Global Impact
The 24-player group includes 17 NWSL players and seven playing abroad in top leagues in England, France, and the Netherlands. The Kansas City Current and Washington Spirit each have three players on the roster.
Trinity Rodman returns to the squad for the first time since her breakout performance in the Olympic gold medal match. She is joined by Alyssa Thompson, Tara McKeown, and several other players with strong California ties, which adds a layer of hometown pride to the SoFi match.
Stanford University alumni also feature heavily in the PayPal Park fixture, with players like Tierna Davidson, Jane Campbell, and Macario returning to the Bay Area where their soccer journeys were forged. Campbell plays as a youth student-athlete at Darlington School in Georgia.
What This Means for U.S. Soccer
For a program that has historically set the standard in women’s soccer—with four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals—the emphasis on building depth and developing young talent is both strategic and essential.
Hayes’ leadership signals not only a commitment to winning but also to shaping a sustainable future by giving young players the opportunity to gain experience in meaningful matches.
In a sport that continues to grow globally, the U.S. must evolve—and that starts with a clear vision, a consistent standard, and the willingness to trust in rising talent.
As Hayes put it today, “Working with players who are striving for consistency in elite performance… is an exciting process.”
Quick Look: Upcoming USWNT Matches vs. Brazil
- Saturday, April 5 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA | 2:00 p.m. PT / 5:00 p.m. ET
Watch on: TNT, truTV, Max, Universo, Peacock - Tuesday, April 8 | PayPal Park, San Jose, CA | 7:30 p.m. PT / 10:30 p.m. ET
Watch on: TBS, Max, Universo, Peacock
READ: Emma Hayes Names 23-Player USWNT Roster for 2025 She Believes Cup
