da apostebet： Five potential starters are currently sidelined with fitness issues as the new coach prepares to name her first squad
da brdice： Nobody ever said Emma Hayes' job was going to be easy. It rarely is with the U.S. women's national team. There are so many expectations, tests and problems to solve, meaning it's never an easy road, even when you win.
Hayes hasn't yet embarked on that road, as she won't take charge of the U.S. for a few more weeks. However, as she looks ahead to the start of her tenure, she'll be walking into a USWNT group with a fair number of injury concerns.
From locked-in starters to valuable depth pieces, the USWNT is dealing with a slew of injuries at the moment. With June friendlies against South Korea on the horizon, followed by the Olympic Games in July it's a real concern, and could be the defining storyline of this 2024 summer.
GettyNew superstar sidelined
Right now, despite her age, there may not be a more important USWNT player than Jaedyn Shaw. The 19-year-old performances have bordered on being unstoppable, and she profiles as perhaps the biggest game-changer for the U.S. when comparing their Olympic line up to that which failed at the Women's World Cup in 2023.
However, Shaw is currently dealing with an ankle injury suffered during the San Diego Wave's draw with Gotham FC. After a clash on a late-game corner kick, Shaw hobbled around for a bit before being subbed off in the game's final moments.
According to San Diego boss Casey Stoney, Shaw is "day-by-day at the minute, so we won’t know [until Friday’s game]". It's a good sign, for sure, considering we're still a little over two weeks away from USWNT camp. Shaw is a superstar in the making, and one that Hayes will be keen to work with the moment she gets into the job.
AdvertisementUSA TODAY SportsMassive blow for Morgan
Unlike Shaw, it still feels like Alex Morgan is on the fringes of the Olympic squad. Her push for a roster spot has been one of the storylines to watch around the USWNT in 2024, but a recent injury is certainly impacting her chances.
Morgan has not played for the Wave in nearly a month due to an ankle injury. That injury has robbed her of key chances to impress Hayes, who will have to make several hard decisions in the attacking positions this summer.
The veteran striker proved at the Gold Cup that she still has a part to play when healthy, whether as a starter or a substitute. However, with rosters restricted to just 18, can Hayes afford to use a spot on Morgan?
The answer to that question would be easy if Morgan was healthy and scoring goals. Her absence, though, makes that decision that much harder, and it appears that it'll go on for at least a little while longer.
“Alex is still out,” said Stoney this week. “She’s been running. She’s been doing technical work this week. She’ll be available when she’s available.”
GettyDefensive disruption
There was, however, finally some good news for both San Diego and the USWNT in recent days, as it was revealed that Naomi Girma is almost back from her own layoff. The defender is probably the first name on the USWNT team sheet right now, but she has missed the Wave's last three NWSL matches due to a thigh injury.
Both Girma and her centerback partner at club level, Abby Dahlkemper, have missed time in recent weeks, and while Girma's spot, when healthy, is a lock, Dahlkemper is currently pushing to play alongside her club teammate at the Olympics this summer.
Both are ready to go, though, for Friday's clash with Bay FC, per Stoney, which is great news for Hayes, who will have been sweating over Girma's fitness in particular. The defender has dealt with two muscle injuries in just a few months after pulling up with a hamstring issue during the SheBelieves Cup, and having her at her best will be key to the USWNT going for gold this summer.
Getty ImagesCan't catch a break
If Girma is fit, it had been expected that she would be partnered by Tierna Davidson this summer, but the centerback is another player USWNT who is currently dealing with a thigh injury. Davidson has been out since late April after suffering her injury against the Washington Spirit, and has missed each of Gotham's last four games as a result.
Davidson missed out on last summer's World Cup due to an ACL injury, but has been solid since returning to action. She's made quite a case for herself as the second starting centerback, but Girma's SheBelieves Cup injury robbed Hayes of a chance to see that partnership in action.
The hope will be that Davidson recovers in time for the June friendlies so that she and Girma can get reps alongside one another. If not, Dahlkemper could get the leg up due to her club connection with Girma, especially if Hayes isn't keen on having a centerback duo learn on the fly.