With Emma Hayes watching on from afar, there are a number of storylines to follow as the U.S. aims to secure a first trophy of 2024
They're almost here. We're now closer to the Olympics kicking-off than we are to the end of the 2023 Women's World Cup ending, meaning the next big tournament will be here before you know it.
Yet, the U.S. women's national team still finds itself in a state of limbo. Waiting for Emma Hayes to come in, interim boss Twila Kilgore is using her time in charge to integrate young players, but there's only so much we can learn about the team as a whole before Hayes steps in.
Because of that, the upcoming Gold Cup is largely about individual cases and battles, not about an overall style of play. Hayes' tactics will shine through once she's actually in charge. Until then, it's about preparing for that moment.
So who can seize their chance? Which players, both new and familiar, will be under the microscope? GOAL takes a look at the USWNT storylines to watch during the tournament…
GettyHoran's apology
Lindsey Horan addressed the elephant in the room rather quickly. After calling American soccer fans "not smart" during an interview with , Horan made sure to get her apology out there right as camp gathered. She was sorry for the statement; it wasn't the right thing to say.
So that part of it is done. Now, though, we'll have to say what comes of it. Horan was the team's captain at the World Cup, and one would assume she'd remain in contention for that spot heading into the Olympics. With Hayes coming in, nothing is certain, but Horan is still one of the team's senior leaders.
However, we'll have to see what fan reaction is like to her in the months to come. Did she upset too many people? Or will enough of the population have understood what she was trying to say, even if it was poorly worded?
Either way, Horan is one to watch. Fans will be looking on, many with a critical eye after the Lyon midfielder's comments. She'll need to put in some good shifts during this tournament or else fans, both educated and uneducated, will have plenty to say.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesOlympic-like scheduling
Let's make it clear: the Gold Cup is no Olympics. The quality just doesn't match up. It does, however, offer the U.S. a chance to adjust to an Olympic-like schedule, helping them prepare for the cadence of what's to come.
If all goes to plan, the U.S. will play six games over the next three weeks. It's very similar to what the Olympics will look like, with the U.S. needing to play six games in 17 days to claim the gold medal. This is a pretty good tuneup, a chance for the U.S. to map out recovery, rest and training schedules for the bigger games to come.
The Gold Cup games will be centered around Southern California, allowing the U.S. to also get used to something of a base camp. It'll be a bit more spread out at the Olympics, with games scattered around France, but this will get the team used to being in an extended camp together.
It's not a perfect comparison, as the two tournaments aren't like-for-like. But even so, there are things to be learned from this Gold Cup ahead of the big one this summer.
Getty ImagesStriker situation
Alex Morgan isn't at the Gold Cup, and the discussion as to whether she will be able to force her way back in by the time the Olympics rolls around will go on and on. For now, though, the question is who will get the nod at striker during this tournament?
Sophia Smith feels like the likely answer. A striker for the Portland Thorns at club level, Smith played out wide at the World Cup and never quite got going. A move back inside makes too much sense, particularly because it opens up a spot for someone like Mallory Swanson (when healthy), Jaedyn Shaw, Lynn Williams or Midge Purce to start in attack.
The central spot, though, could go to Mia Fishel, and this Gold Cup feels like a perfect chance to see if she sinks or swims, pun intended. The 22-year-old Chelsea forward scored her first goal for the USWNT against Colombia back in October, but only has three caps to her name. This could be a chance to give her a real runout to see how she'll fare at a higher level. If that does happen, Hayes will be keeping a close eye on her, even if she already sees plenty of Fishel at Chelsea.
There are options here, and Hayes will at some point need to put some very good attacking puzzle pieces together. This tournament could show off a bit more of what that looks like, even if we have to wait for Swanson and Catarina Macario to heal up to get the full attacking picture.
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Getty ImagesRodman's ascent
The USWNT has played six games since their World Cup elimination, and Trinity Rodman has scored in three of them. It's an indication that she's next up in becoming a USWNT star, if she isn't already.
Yes, Rodman was a starter at the World Cup, but it feels like she's really starting to find her place in the team. There's another level to her game, for sure, and the 21-year-old winger is just starting to scratch the surface of it. The Gold Cup gives her another chance to rise, another chance to inch closer to being a superstar.
Now, you don't become a superstar at a Gold Cup; you do it at a World Cup or Olympics. Rodman will inevitably be judged by what she can do during the bigger tournaments ahead. The question is if she'll be a piece or a bonafide leader of the next generation. If Rodman can continue her ascent, the USWNT attack reaches a whole new level of scary.