Mix of experimentation, experience make the difference as USWNT rally, keep Emma Hayes unbeaten in 12 matches
Making your international debut is a special moment in any player's career. It's the pinnacle players dream about for years. All too often, that dream is far better than reality. The real thing is usually a cameo, a brief taste of a level of sport that takes time to adjust to.
Dreams became reality for two U.S. women's national team newcomers Sunday night, in the form of Emily Sams and Emma Sears. Both made the most of their chances and, ultimately, proved that they're worthy of more looks from USWNT boss Emma Hayes.
Sears scored and assisted goals in the USWNT's 3-1 win over Iceland. Sams, meanwhile, was one of the best players on the field from her spot in defense, keeping a dangerous Iceland attack quiet. Buffered by cagey second-half goalscoring from USWNT stars Lynn Williams and Lindsey Horan – the veterans overcame a 1-0 deficit with key strikes, securing the victory – both newcomers were fantastic, among the best players on the field.
Hayes started seven different players from the lineup in Thursday's game against Iceland, with only three players kicking off on Sunday claiming more than 30 career USWNT appearances – and for the first time since April 2018, there were two teenagers on the field at the start, 19-year-olds Olivia Moultrie and Jaedyn Shaw.
So yeah, experimentation.
This wasn't a perfect performance for the USWNT, but it was a near-perfect debut for Sams and Sears, who have plenty of reason to be thrilled with their first taste of the international stage as the Americans rolled up a second consecutive 3-1 win over Iceland – and kept Hayes unbeaten in 12 matches with the team.
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Geordis Park.
IMAGNWINNER: Lynn Williams
Somewhat harshly, Williams was among the losers after the first game with Iceland Thursday night. She had been overshadowed by those around her and, in a tight forward race, that's not ideal. Williams overshadowed everyone else on the field on Sunday night, though. It was exactly the type of game she needed to remind people who she is and what she can do.
The Gotham FC star scored one and assisted another, totally changing a game that the USWNT needed changed. Her goal was well-taken and her assist made life easy for Horan, who was left with a tap-in for the game-winner.
Williams is the veteran of this forward group. In a pack of teenagers and 20-somethings, the 31 year old has an uphill battle when it comes to holding off the stars-in-the-making chasing her in this player pool. Performances like this will help, for sure.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Casey Murphy
Murphy is a very good goalkeeper, but even the best goalkeepers have bad moments. Murphy had an iffy one on Sunday.
The USWNT goalkeeper was out of position on Iceland's first-half goal and, as a result, the corner floated over her head and into the back of the net. The box was crowded and there was traffic in front but, even so, Murphy needed to do better.
That's part of being a goalkeeper: the mistakes. They happen to the very best. Alyssa Naeher, the USWNT's No. 1, had a few tough moments leading up to the Olympics, but then the world saw how good she was once things got rolling in Paris. So, don't let a tough corner moment disqualify Murphy, who should get more chances to earn that No. 1 spot.
Sunday didn't help in that regard. Right now, it's still Naeher's shirt and that corner kick didn't give Hayes much reason to change her mind in the near future.
IMAGNWINNER: Emma Sears
In terms of USWNT debuts, there haven't been many better than Sears. With her goal and assist, Sears became the first player since Christen Press to register one of each in their first USWNT cap. We all know how good Press turned out to be. If Sears reaches half of her success, that would be remarkable.
The 23-year-old forward has had an incredible rise this year. Selected in the second round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, Sears entered her rookie season with a point to prove. She's more than established herself. Just a few months after signing her initial one-year deal, Sears signed a new contract with Louisville to keep her with the club through 2026.
Her strong start as a pro carried right on to the USWNT. Her one-touch assist to Williams was fantastic. Her own goal was even better. Both moments weren't lucky; they were pure quality.
That type of quality will keep her around long-term, but, in more ways than one, Sears is just getting started.
Getty Images SportLOSER: Olivia Moultrie and Korbin Albert
Sam Coffey was doing good work behind them, but the duo of Moultrie and Albert never really got going as the more advanced midfielders.
Moultrie is still in the introduction phase and, as a result, probably needed someone a bit more experienced next to her to really organize the midfield. Whether tactically or on her own, Moultrie ended up a bit too wide a bit too often. It made her slightly ineffective throughout her 45.
Albert went all 90, but didn't make much of an impact either. It often felt like she wasn't offering much on either side of the ball, which is not a place where you want to be as a midfielder. Both are still new to this and both have plenty to learn. Sunday was a reminder of that.
