Team USA Prepares for Olympic Rematch Against Brazil Amidst Key Injuries
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Emma Hayes, the head coach of the United States women’s national soccer team, expressed confidence in her defensive lineup despite the “unfortunate” ACL injury to center-back Tierna Davidson, ruling her out for the rest of 2025. With the USWNT also missing the skills of fellow starting center-back Naomi Girma due to a calf injury, the team gears up for a challenging Olympic gold-medal rematch against Brazil this Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
“With both Girma and Davidson unavailable, the focus shifts to individual development,” Hayes mentioned during a Friday press conference. “This camp, along with the upcoming ones, will involve a lot of experimenting. Though this might initially weaken the on-field connections, it presents an excellent opportunity to gauge individual progress.”
The team now looks to veterans Crystal Dunn and Emily Sonnett to guide a roster bolstered by promising newcomers like center-back Tara McKeown, who debuted in February, and fullback Avery Patterson, currently at her first USWNT camp.
Hayes stated her intention to “drip-feed” newer talents gradually, pairing them with seasoned players to foster a supportive and nurturing environment. “I’ve observed the team closing performance gaps, and that’s a solid initial step,” she said.
In addition to Saturday’s match, the USWNT will confront Brazil once more on Tuesday in San Jose, California. The U.S. team previously secured their fifth Olympic gold by defeating Brazil 1-0 in the 2024 final.
Starters from that victorious game are notably absent: forward Sophia Wilson (formerly Smith) is on maternity leave, forward Mallory Swanson is on personal leave, and veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has retired. Additionally, midfielder stalwart Rose Lavelle is out due to injury.
However, forward Trinity Rodman rejoins the team after dealing with chronic back issues post-Olympics. At 22, Rodman openly addressed her long-term health challenges, saying, “The back is tricky because it’s constantly engaged, whether in-game or daily life. Managing it effectively is crucial to prevent muscle overcompensation.”
“It’s been a tough but rewarding journey,” she added, discussing her return to active play.
Hayes assures careful management of Rodman’s return to competition, ensuring not to overextend the player, who marked her NWSL season debut with the Washington Spirit last weekend.
Forward Catarina Macario is anticipated to have a significant impact in the upcoming matches against Brazil, her country of birth. Macario, who moved to the U.S. in 2012 and gained citizenship in 2020, remarked on the significance of this matchup, “I haven’t dwelled on it, but playing against Brazil is certainly a meaningful, full-circle moment.”
Hayes noted Brazil’s defensive aggression, which will prompt the USWNT to remain agile and decisive under pressure. Quoting Mike Tyson’s famous line about plans crumbling when challenges arise, Hayes remarked, “I’m eager to see how we react under the pressure of the game—our preparations on and off the pitch will be put to the test.”