USWNT Prepares for Gold Medal Rematch Amid Injuries

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — U.S. Women’s National Team coach Emma Hayes expressed confidence in her squad’s defensive capabilities ahead of Saturday’s Olympic gold medal-game rematch against Brazil at SoFi Stadium, despite dealing with key injuries to center-backs Naomi Girma and Tierna Davidson.

Girma sustained an injury last week and will miss the remainder of 2025, while Davidson is recovering from a calf strain. Hayes noted that these challenges present an opportunity for player development. “Without Naomi Girma, without Tierna Davidson, this is the right time to develop individuals first,” she said during a news conference on Friday. “There is going to be experimentation, and that means that the connections on the field might not be as strong.”

The USWNT roster features veteran defenders such as Becky Sauerbrunn and Crystal Dunn, alongside younger players like center-back Emily Fox, who earned her first caps in February, and fullback Midge Purce, new to this camp.

Hayes emphasized her strategy to introduce younger players gradually alongside their seasoned counterparts. “What I have noticed in this camp is the gap closing across the board within the team, and that’s our first starting point,” she added.

The team will also face Brazil on Tuesday in San Jose, California, just months after winning a fifth Olympic gold medal in August. However, they find themselves without nearly half of their starting lineup from that game. Notable absences include forward Sophia Smith, on maternity leave, and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who retired from international duty. Additionally, midfielder Andi Sullivan is sidelined due to injury.

Despite the setbacks, attacking forward Trinity Rodman has returned to the squad after battling chronic back issues. “I think the back’s very difficult because you can’t avoid using it at every moment in a game, every moment of your day-to-day life,” Rodman remarked. “It’s been an interesting and hard journey, but it’s been good getting back.”

Hayes plans to manage Rodman’s playing time carefully to ensure her health as she adjusts to the rigors of competition. Rodman made her first start of the season last weekend and is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming matches against Brazil, her birth country. Born in Brazil, Rodman moved to the United States in 2012 and became a U.S. citizen in 2020.

<p“I haven’t thought about it too much,” Rodman said of playing against Brazil. “But it will obviously be very special — kind of like a full-circle moment.”

Looking ahead, Hayes anticipates Brazil to impose high defensive pressure, requiring her team to respond quickly. She referenced the famous Mike Tyson quote: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”

<p“Let’s see what we’re like when we’ve been punched in the game,” Hayes said. “That’s something that I think we’re set up to do in the work that we’re doing both on the pitch and in the classroom.”