USWNT needs a youth movement in the midfield, right now

In what was ultimately a disappointing international window following a loss and a draw to Spain, we did learn a lot about Emma Hayes and the USWNT less than a year from the 2027 World Cup. One of the least surprising revelations was the fact that the American midfield didn’t exactly measure up to Spain’s midfield. Players like Patri Guijarro and Alexia Putellas did what they’ve done for years, controlling games in the midfield, with younger players helping as well.

While it wasn’t surprising to see, it was nevertheless concerning for the USWNT’s World Cup hopes. Those struggles in the midfield could inspire Hayes to make some changes in the USWNT midfield. In fact, one might go so far as to say that the Americans need a youth movement in the midfield before the World Cup.

Current state of the USWNT midfield

In fairness, the USWNT played those two games against Spain without Sam Coffey. She’s integral to the squad, especially when it comes to breaking up play and protecting the back four, which was also missing Naomi Girma. The injury that kept her off the field against Spain appears to be a minor concern, so her status for the World Cup next summer isn’t a concern.

Outside of Coffey, the heart of the midfield is veterans Lindsey Heaps and Rose Lavelle. Both were part of the USWNT’s triumphs at the 2019 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics and have a combined 304 caps and 69 goals at the international level. On the other hand, Heaps and Lavelle will be 33 and 32, respectively, next summer. While neither is ready to fade into the background, having two older midfielders isn’t ideal when going up against elite teams like Spain, especially since the most high-profile matches will happen later in the tournament when fatigue is starting to set in for everyone.

Emma Hayes needs to avoid her predecessor’s mistakes

Ahead of the 2027 World Cup, it’s worth looking back at the USWNT’s failures in 2023. For that tournament, Vlatko Andonovski brought an aging roster, with eight outfield players over the age of 30. He continued to rely on players whose best days were behind them. Granted, Andonovski made plenty of other errors, but that was one that came back to bite the USWNT.

Hayes needs to avoid the same mistake of being overly reliant on aging players, even ones with the resumes of Heaps and Lavelle. Young midfielders like Claire Hutton and Lily Yohannes have been involved in the squad for a while, but they need to become regular starters for the USWNT between now and the World Cup. Even midfielders like Jaelin Howell and Croix Bethune, who haven’t been fully integrated into the squad but are in the prime of their careers, should be given more opportunities. 

To succeed next summer, with potentially seven games to play, the USWNT needs a younger, more athletic midfield. That will be the best way to sustain a high level of play throughout the tournament. That means Heaps and Lavelle should no longer be guaranteed a starting spot, with Hutton, Yohanes, Howell, and others playing alongside Coffey.

Heaps and Lavelle aren’t done yet

Even if Heaps and Lavelle aren’t starting every game doesn’t mean they need to be left out of the squad entirely. Heaps is still the captain and has played at a high level since joining the Denver Summit. Likewise, Lavelle has been essential to Gotham FC’s success over the past two seasons and is a Ballon d’Or nominee. Both still have a lot to contribute to the USWNT, just not as regular starters.

The issue is that neither looks as if they could start seven World Cup games in less than a month. Also, playing both at the same time for extended periods is problematic, as all four goals Spain scored over those two games came with both Heaps and Lavelle on the field, while the USWNT’s best moments came late in the second game after both had been subbed off. 

Moving forward, Heaps should maintain her captaincy but shouldn’t be considered a full-time starter. To be at her best during the World Cup, her minutes need to be managed, and her playing time should be based on matchups. Lavelle, meanwhile, has all the tools to be a super-sub who can change games when the USWNT needs a goal. Ultimately, both will be contributors during the 2027 World Cup. However, the core of the USWNT midfield next summer needs to be made up of younger players. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow