USWNT fans will love what Emma Hayes just said about Phallon Tullis-Joyce

Last night, the USWNT lost the friendly match against Japan at PayPal Park. It was their second of a hat-trick of games against Japan, one of the best women's soccer teams in the world. Phallon Tullis-Joyce, as we expected, was given the shot in the goalkeeper position.

Despite conceding one goal, Tullis-Joyce held her own well and proved she was still in contention for a starting spot in this USWNT team. Emma Hayes has a nice problem on her hands with two elite, established goalkeepers capable of starting for the USA.

Speaking after the match, Emma Hayes clarified her decision-making process. She does not cherry-pick based on the practical factors, but instead, she gave Tullis-Joyce a chance last night to foster meaningful relationships with her teammates.

Emma Hayes explains the exact reason Phallon Tullis-Joyce was selected

Hayes said "Phallon [Tullis-Joyce] and Claudia [Dickey] were both earmarked to play a game. I know people don't want to hear this from me, but I don't go 'we've got a game in Seattle, she plays there'; I don't think like that, I wouldn't be a top professional if I did. So, it was in order to develop different relationships."

Given the performance Tullis-Joyce put in, she arguably deserved a clean sheet. However, it wasn't to be for her, through no fault of her own. Outside of the early goal the USA conceded, Tullis-Joyce maintained a composed persona whenever the ball was at her feet, helping the USA to craft build-up play from the deepest possible position.

In both games against Japan, Phallon and Claudia conceded the same number of goals, one each. It really does little to solve Emma Hayes' selection headache in the goalkeeper position, but a headache based on quality selection is one that Hayes will always accept.

World Cup fever is sinking in for the young USWNT

Last night, Emma Hayes opted for a much younger starting XI than the one that started against Japan in the previous game. Hayes is known for fostering young talent, with last night being another personification of that.

The biggest strength of the USWNT is, not just the pride, but the sheer depth in quality that Hayes has available to her. It is common practice for the English head coach to switch up her team based on the required game-plan, and she has the strength in numbers to do that.

We are just over a year away from the Women's World Cup in Brazil. There is certainly an element of long-term thinking in Hayes' team selection. The fostering of relationships, particularly with the younger players, is pivotal to that north star that the USA wants to align itself with before taking on Brazil next summer.