"What I know is that we have to keep building our connections as much as possible. I've made it clear this year that there will be, particularly in three-game windows, two teams, per se, that will play -- maybe not all of the time -- but so we get a chance to develop the connections for a group of players over two games; in one group, over one of the games. That, for me, is the bigger priority."
"Hayes has ushered in a historic level of experimentation over the past year-plus: 32 international debuts in her first 32 games at the helm, by far more than any other USWNT coach in that same span. But that makes it all the more difficult to determine what even is her preferred lineup."
"A "preferred" lineup begs the question, "Preferred against whom?" Hayes said as much last week when she spoke repeatedly about getting this new group of players ready for "tournament football," where games must be won in different ways."
With the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil approaching, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes is strategically narrowing her player pool while maintaining extensive experimentation. Hayes has granted 32 international debuts in her first 32 games, more than any previous USWNT coach in that span. She emphasizes building player connections through multi-game windows and developing tactical flexibility for tournament football, where different opponent styles require varied approaches. Hayes acknowledges that a "preferred" lineup depends on opposition quality, necessitating planned rotations during group stages. The challenge ahead involves determining her starting XI while continuing to develop chemistry among the expanded player pool.
Read at ESPN.com
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