GOAL takes a look at the biggest keys as the USWNT takes on Brazil in rematch of the 2024 Paris Games final
It may be called a friendly, but there's so much more to the U.S. women's national team's game Saturday – it will be be a gold medal rematch between two of the world's best teams inside the ultra-modern SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The USWNT will face Brazil and, no matter how early we are in the cycle, this will be a big game.
On the surface, these two teams are very different than the ones that met in France last August, when Mallory Swanson tucked a second-half shot into the bottom corner, winning a gold medal and helping restore the USWNT among the elite programs in the global game. Swanson's goal was all the U.S. would need to take down Brazil and claim the Americans' record fifth Olympic gold.
Both teams are building towards the 2027 World Cup, and both know that the upcoming games – Saturday in Los Angeles, and then Tuesday in San Jose – are a crucial measuring stick. There's no medal at the end of this but there doesn't have to be for these games to be meaningful.
For the USWNT, this is about Emma Hayes expanding the player pool. She's repeatedly stated that as her goal, as she looks to build on that Olympic triumph. Featuring a squad of rising stars, the USWNT has kickstarted that process well, but are coming off a somewhat-humbling SheBelieves Cup loss to Japan.
Hayes, now, will be looking for a response.
Brazil will offer one, too. This isn't the same group that met the U.S. last summer, but you can certain there will be a revenge factor. Brazil are capable of seizing it, too, and – considering the USWNT's injury issues – they'll expect to go out and get goals against Hayes' side.
It'll be a heavyweight battle in Hollywood, one that will let us know where everyone stands collectively and as individuals. GOAL takes a look at six key storylines as the USWNT play the first of two friendlies against Brazil.
AFPRevenge for Brazil
A friendly is never a friendly for the USWNT. The game is always a measuring stick. Even more for Brazil.
It was Brazil that the USWNT topped in the gold medal game at last summer's Olympics, winning 1-0 on Swanson's goal. Obviously, a lot has changed since then.
Swanson isn't in the team for these matches. Alyssa Naeher has since retired. Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson are out with injuries. Sophia Wilson will miss this camp due to her pregnancy. The legendary Marta, meanwhile, isn't in the Brazil squad, having stepped away following the Olympic defeat to call time on her historic international career.
Last summer, all of Brazil was pulling for Marta to get the swansong she deserved. It didn't happen. This time, they'll want to exact some revenge. This group has regulars such as Ludmila, Adriana, Gabi Portilho and Yasmim, all of whom started last summer, as well as a familiar face in Kerolin, who left the NC Courage earlier this year.
This is a talented Brazil team, ranked eighth in the world – the USWNT remain No. 1 despite the loss to Japan in February. It has players at top clubs and is one of the few global teams that will legitimately believe they can play with the USWNT. It's safe to expect this to be a back-and-forth affair, one that will test the USWNT in ways they don't often get tested.
AdvertisementImagnCat Macario as the wild card
This will be a personal one for Cat Macario, too. Born and raised in Brazil, Macario moved to the U.S. at the age of 12, becoming a USWNT star in the 13 years since. Facing Brazil will be a big moment for her, particularly considering all she's gone through on the injury front.
That's the sentimental part. There's also a very real on-field discussion to be had here as Macario gears up for another chance to play up top. Often viewed as a No. 10, Macario was deployed as a No. 9 during the SheBelieves Cup with significant success.
Considering the makeup of this USWNT roster, it's expected she'll play there again in these two games, which leads to some interesting tactical wrinkles. Hayes could go with Ashley Hatch up top as she makes her USWNT return but, in all likelihood, Macario will get the chance to shine.
"Cat Macario, holds the ball up extremely well – like Ashley Hatch. They can hold it, they can link," Hayes said last week. "They can allow others to join the play… they both have good finishing qualities and bring something to the team that allows others to join in."
Macario will naturally drop deeper to receive the ball, perhaps pulling Brazil's center-backs with her. It'll be up to the wingers, whoever they may be, to run into space and create chaos in those moments.
Macario is a handful no matter where she plays and, given the options in attack, it's very uncertain where she ends up going forward. For now, she looks set to play as the No. 9 and her ability to dictate the game from that position will be key in determining how the U.S. looks against a good Brazil team.
IMAGNChaos at center-back
Girma is out, which is always going to be a problem. She might be the best defender in the world and, which means the USWNT will have to scramble a little. Now, Tierna Davidson is out, too, with another unfortunate ACL tear – one that changes the equation in defense going forward. Suddenly, the USNWT is facing a centerback crisis as they prepare to face a Brazil team that has been raised on Joga Bonito.
Fortunately for the U.S., veteran Emily Sonnett can provide some stability. Another veteran, Alana Cook, is back after an extended time out of the squad. Filling out the defensive options are two relative newcomers in Emily Sams and Tara McKeown, both of whom are 25 but have just six caps between them.
It was the Girma/Davidson pairing that started in the gold medal game last summer. Now, there are big question marks about how the USWNT will handle their absences against this Brazil team.
"First of all, it's a huge loss for the team," Sams said of Davidson's injury, "and I do feel for Tierna. I've torn both of my ACLs, so I'm very familiar with the road that she's going to be on for the next couple months. Unfortunately, injuries do happen, so for me to stay ready and to be ready to step into a moment is very important for me. I'm just looking forward to the chance to show Emma what I'm capable of."
Sams won't be the only one feeling that way. McKeown will be looking for her fourth USWNT cap. Cook, meanwhile, will have a point to prove after being left out for so many camps. And Sonnett is looking to keep her place at age 31. Whoever starts will be doing so with a point to prove and big pressure on their shoulders.
Getty ImagesA chance to step up in goal
While there are points to prove at center-back, there might be even more pressure on the goalkeeper. Since Naeher's retirement, no one has really claimed that No. 1 shirt. This will be a process, but every game matters.
Jane Campbell, at the moment, looks like the favorite and she's in the team once again. However, after a SheBelieves Cup that did little to boost her stock, she'll feel some pressure to make her mark. Campbell wasn't challenged much in her most recent appearances and was unable to keep Japan off the board in that finale, but she has a hell of a track record in the NWSL. Brazil should, in theory, test her a little bit, giving her a chance to make some saves and find some confidence for the push forward.
If it's not Campbell, it's likely Mandy McGlynn, who is back in search of her third cap. She's gotten two already since the Olympics and has left an impression on Hayes, making her a contender to start, too.
Rounding out the goalkeeper pool is Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who currently plays for Manchester United but is something of an unknown commodity on the international level – she has zero caps.
Right now, it's all about coping with pressure. Mistakes are, naturally, a part of goalkeeping but, Hayes is searching for someone that she can trust to play mistake-free soccer in net. Replacing Naeher is a process, but this could be a key step in the process.
Against a quality team such as Brazil, you have to limit mistakes, play smart and likely make a few saves. We'll see if any of the USWNT's goalkeepers can provide that sort of stability.
