Emma Hayes, coach of the United States women’s national soccer team, announced that there will be considerable changes to the lineup for their upcoming friendly against Chile on Tuesday. This follows a decisive 6-0 victory over Paraguay last Saturday.
“There will be changes to the team, as I mentioned previously. I’m preparing a completely new lineup, which will bring its own set of challenges, whether it’s debut caps or the inexperience of players who haven’t played together before,” Hayes stated in a media session ahead of the friendly at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara.
“One commitment I’ve nearly made, considering the players’ current status in the NWSL season, is to refrain from starting any player for two consecutive games.”
After their latest dominant win, the USWNT is looking for a sixth consecutive victory as they gear up for the upcoming SheBelieves Cup in March and future qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup. Hayes emphasized that the January camp will be a chance to test out a roster that includes several rookies and younger players.
“This training window is focused on identifying the key players for our core group moving forward, understanding which athletes will be crucial for the pool now, and distinguishing those who will be part of the teams for 2028 and 2031. It’s a multi-faceted approach to player development,” Hayes explained.
“I have a clear vision of our talent pool and know the players we’ll be building around as we prepare for World Cup qualification.”
According to U.S. Soccer, the upcoming friendly will mark the USWNT’s “first full international match” held at Harder Stadium.
Following January’s training window, Hayes will set her sights on matches this spring against Argentina, Canada, and Colombia during the SheBelieves Cup.