Where to watch the USWNT's next generation
The USWNT are Olympic Champions! After such a magical tournament under Parisian street lights, turning toward the future could be seen as taking the present for granted. But 2028 will be here before you know it. If you're still looking for more USWNT action to satiate your patriotic cravings, the U20 Women's World Cup starts on August 31.
This article will first examine the current US Women's National Team (USWNT) and, without picking on anyone, will project how many roster spots are potentially up for grabs for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The undercurrent is that every roster spot is up for grabs if you're good enough. Then, we'll look at a handful of players currently in college and how they fit into those openings. If your favorite Women's Soccer Star hasn't been included, don't fret! They have an entire season to make us look very silly.
Current Squad:
The crop of players returning from Paris are Champions, and that makes projecting the roster outlook a tricky endeavor. A small group of veterans and holdovers from previous World Cups and Olympics balance out a squad of players in their prime, and players who are good enough and getting better rapidly.
The defense has stars Naomi Girma and Emily Fox, who should still be productive when 2028 rolls around. USWNT head coach Emma Hayes called Naomi Girma “the best defender she’s ever seen.”
Jenna Nighswonger had only a handful of appearances at the Paris 2024 Olympics but should be in the middle of her prime when 2028 rolls around. The talent and youth of the players on the backline suggest that only two spots in defense should be open by 2028, the most of any position grouping.
Emma Hayes brought only four midfielders to Paris this year, instead opting to bring more attackers and defenders who play with additional versatility. Decorated players Rose Lavelle and Lindsay Horan were flanked by younger upstarts, Sam Coffey and Korbin Albert. It’s unclear if both Lavelle and Horan will still be playing international soccer in 2028, having over 250 appearances between the two. We’ll grant the midfield two spots for our purposes here, but those spots will remain with the old guard if the current youth crop doesn’t develop.
Team USA’s “Triple Espresso” on the attack, Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman are not going anywhere anytime soon as they starred in Paris, combining for 10 of USA’s 12 goals. Crystal Dunn has the second most caps on the entire team at 154, potentially making this her last dance at the Olympics. Jaedyn Shaw has also been developing in the background.
A sign of good squad-planning and USWNT strength is that 5-8 players project to be rotated out by the next tournament but are not guaranteed to be out. The following camps and Cups will determine who is in the best position from the youth, and the senior squad.
Goalkeeper
Teagan Wy
The University of California junior is the most experienced keeper on the U-20 World Cup roster and will most likely be in her prime when the Olympics come to Los Angeles. In a new conference, the coaches have already selected Wy for the pre-season All-ACC team after a strong sophomore season. The next two years will be key to Wy's development, but she can help lead Cal to great things in the short term and fight for a national team spot in the long term.
Defense
Leah Klenke
Notre Dame Junior Leah Klenke exemplifies the versatility of the USWNT structure. Capable of lining up anywhere in a defense and pushing up into wide areas. As a midfielder and creator, Klenke is highly effective across the pitch. Ten assists put her in the top five in the ACC as a playmaker, and she scored two match-winning goals. She has played both center back and left back at the national level. She's also a two-time ACC All-Academic selection and a cross-country state champion in high school. Klenke is an effective junior now, with the pedigree and quality to potentially shine at the senior level.
Elise Evans
Stanford Junior Elise Evans is a rock with Olympic potential. The central defender led Stanford in minutes last season, playing a full 90 minutes in over four-fifths of her matches. When she plays, Evans is consistent at the back of the defense and capable of grabbing an occasional goal. Evans was the captain for the 2023 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship, showing that the leadership apparatus and her teammates trust Evans. In Stanford's opener against USF, Evans wore the armband and rallied her team after a goal celebration, leading the team to a 1-0 win. The U20 group at center back is really strong, but Evans is one of the best bets to make an impact.
Midfield
Sam Courtwright
Texas Tech sophomore Sam Courtwright is coming off being named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Texas Tech, powered by Courtwright's energy in the middle, captured their conference title before going out in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. In addition to being productive, with eight assists on the season, Courtwright plays with a flair and confidence in the midfield that bodes well for the future. She is also missing the beginning portion of the season to play in the U20 World Cup.
Yuna McCormack
Virginia Junior Yuna McCormack is another very versatile midfielder who could help bolster and connect Team USA. Mccormack is effective at dropping back toward her defense, receiving the ball, and exploding forward to lay off a pass to attackers. She is also effective in the attacking third, getting wide to send in crosses and crashing the box when the opportunity presents itself. Mccormack is also available, starting every single game for her collegiate team last season. High-level skills and a high volume of reps mean that McCormack has the upside to get into the midfield for Team USA.
Attack
Maddie Dahlien
UNC Junior Maddie Dahlien is another versatile, talented creator for the U20 team. One thing that jumps out about Dahlien is her pressing ability. She's as good a creator as any, averaging .54 goal contributions per 90 minutes, but her pressing ability and ball retention are the separators that make her a unique forward. She also has excellent chemistry with Ally Sentnor, a former UNC standout who is now playing in the NWSL. If manager Tracey Kevins decides to pair Dahlien and Sentnor again in Colombia, they could still be dangerously effective.
Honorable Mention: FSU as a whole
FSU has too many talented individuals to zero in and write on just one. In attack, they have ACC Freshman of the Year Jordynn Dudley, and Standout Gonzaga transfer Giana Riley. In 2023, Dudley bagged 14 goals and nine assists as a tall, driving, center forward. Giana Riley has generally played on the wings and contributed 12 goals and six assists for Gonzaga. Riley and Dudley scored for FSU in a season-opening rout of USF.
The midfield also has freshman Taylor Suarez, a two-time Gatorade player of the year in North Carolina. Despite being only 5'5", Suarez was a creative comet, getting 69 goal contributions in less than 30 games. Suarez also scored in her FSU debut against USF. Heather Gilchrist is a junior defender and key player in a stalwart Seminole defense that allowed one goal over the entire NCAA tournament. FSU is star-studded, and watching them allows fans to see a multitude of talented players. Life is good for the reigning champions.