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Jeff Kassouf
Multiple Authors
The U.S. women’s national team is set to face Japan, the fifth-ranked team in the world, a rare situation in which they will play the same opponent three times within a week.
As the 2027 Women’s World Cup approaches in just over a year, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes is narrowing down her roster while refining the team’s tactics and identifying the right players for specific roles. However, crucial questions remain, and time is running out.
Forward Sophia Wilson returns after a 17-month maternity leave, while defender Tierna Davidson rejoins the team after over a year recovering from an ACL injury. Both players’ returns add complexity to key positional choices.
Post these friendly matches against Japan, the USWNT will only have six international windows left before the World Cup, so Hayes must make every match count. Here are the pressing questions that Hayes faces in this vital international break, with the first of three encounters against Japan scheduled for Saturday.
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Wilson’s return coincides with Catarina Macario being unavailable due to a persistent heel injury, meaning the two leaders for the No. 9 position will miss camp together again. This is significant, as they play that role quite differently.
Macario filled in admirably for Wilson, flourishing late in 2024 with strong performances against Italy. Macario typically plays a false 9, dropping deeper to connect play, while Wilson poses a constant threat by stretching defenses and taking on defenders one-on-one.
Heading into the World Cup, Hayes must decide the preferred playing style and who fits that No. 9 role. In the upcoming matches against Japan, she will evaluate who can shoulder that responsibility in addition to Wilson (who will have limited playing time) and Macario.
Ally Sentnor performed admirably in this role during the SheBelieves Cup, while versatile players like Jaedyn Shaw might receive another chance as a forward. Jameese Joseph is also expected to see some time there, making it her most challenging test as a pro. Can the 23-year-old Joseph rise to the occasion?
Who should be the USWNT’s starting center-back duo?
Although Davidson’s minutes will be limited while she regains full fitness, her eventual return should reunite her with Naomi Girma, the preferred center-back duo from the 2024 Olympic gold medal run.
As mentioned in last month’s World Cup lineup predictions, a healthy Davidson is anticipated to be Girma’s partner for the 2027 World Cup. This series of matches against Japan presents the first opportunity to test that pairing again, even if only for a short time. Davidson’s left-footed, intelligent play brings a unique touch among the current defensive options.
Emily Sonnett remains a reliable alternative and potential starter, while Emily Sams and Kennedy Wesley are both off to strong starts in this NWSL season.
Wesley stands out as a promising young option outside of the injured Jordyn Bugg. She possesses qualities reminiscent of Girma, especially in her ball-reading and playmaking skills. With just four caps at the international level, Wesley is poised for an extended chance in these games, potentially moving higher up the depth chart.
Which player combinations will solidify for the USWNT?
Hayes suggested that she will deploy one lineup for two games against Japan and another distinct lineup for the remaining match. She may alternate these lineups, reminiscent of her strategy during the SheBelieves Cup.
These lineups won’t strictly be A- and B-teams, but it can be inferred that the more robust, experienced group will display favored starters. Generally speaking, this was the XI that faced Canada in March at the SheBelieves Cup, although Wilson and Davidson’s returns could influence those choices.
What’s crucial, as Hayes noted, are the combinations within those lineups. This could involve a particular midfield trio or developing patterns of play among a fullback, central midfielder, and winger collaborating more effectively down a flank.
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How will Hayes decide on her midfield combinations? The trio of Sam Coffey, Claire Hutton, and Rose Lavelle has started together against both Canada and Colombia in March, marking their fourth appearance as a trio over the past year. This combination seems to be Hayes’ preferred setup when greater midfield coverage is required, which will be essential against Japan.
Could a combination of Coffey, Lindsey Heaps, and Lily Yohannes perform well against Japan? Additionally, where does Shaw fit into this setup? Shaw is designated as a midfielder for this camp, yet she is also a potential No. 9 option.
Will Hayes reveal her full strategy with the World Cup approaching?
Facing Japan three times poses a unique challenge for Hayes, especially since this matchup could potentially occur in the knockout rounds of next year’s World Cup. While the World Cup is still distant, Hayes might not hold back entirely in her tactics, though some strategic gamesmanship could be expected between these two powerhouse teams at this stage in the cycle.
The Japanese team is also in a turbulent phase. While they recently clinched the AFC Asian Cup, the federation just announced the departure of head coach Nils Nielsen in search of a more dynamic approach (the reasoning behind this is somewhat unclear).
With Michihisa Kano stepping in as interim coach, Hayes will focus on her team’s development while also assessing how they measure up against a high-caliber opponent. However, Japan’s current state may complicate the analysis for Hayes and her staff to some extent.
The limitations created by the return of certain stars and the absence of others, like Macario, restrict Hayes from experimenting extensively at this moment. Nevertheless, with only a few international windows left leading up to the World Cup, the matches against Japan present a critical test (especially given the difficulties in scheduling with European teams).
As has been the case for other coaches in prior World Cup cycles, there is much to be learned from defeats in such high-stakes matchups, understanding what strategies work and who can excel under pressure before the World Cup kicks off.