The USWNT's second victory in 2025 SheBelieves Cup was defined by newcomers, from teenage defenders to attacking dynamos up top
Even before the opening whistle blew, the U.S. women's national team was in uncharted waters. This team was young. Really young. It was the youngest group to wear the shirt in more than two decades. Emma Hayes trusted them, though, and, in many ways, they repaid that sentiment.
Starting a team with 11 changes from Thursday Colombia match and and inexperience all over the pitch, Hayes leaned on newcomers to get a 2-1 win over Australia Sunday night in Phoenix. It wasn't easy by any stretch, and it got a little nervy at the end when Australia pulled one back to set up a vital 10-minute stretch to see out the win. That's what the U.S. did, though, to make it a perfect two wins in two at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.
Heading into this camp, Hayes indicated she would need all hands on deck. NWSL stars are in preseason. Those abroad traveled long hours to return to the U.S. to play a quick sprint of three games in six days. At some point, Hayes would need to call on players to step into situations they had never seen before.
On Sunday night, she called on nearly all of those players at once.
From teenager Gisele Thompson to first-time goalscorer Michelle Cooper, it was a big night for several rising stars. It was a big night for Hayes, too, who made some gutsy calls and still escaped with a win. There's a bigger game against Japan on the horizon and, after Sunday's win, Hayes – now unbeaten in her first 17 games in charge of the squad – will have even bigger decisions to make as she looks to lead this team to another trophy.
Before that, though, GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from State Farm Stadium.
AFPWINNER: Emma Sears
In the fall, Sears provided a goal and an assist in her debut, becoming the first player since Christen Press to do that in her first cap. She didn't get on the scoresheet on Sunday but she made it clear – the performance last fall was no fluke.
Sears was unplayable on the left-hand side, running rings around Australia defender Ellie Carpenter. Carpenter plays for Lyon, one of the best clubs in the world, but Sears gave her headaches from the opening whistle. The USWNT winger was key in the opening goal and then nearly assisted another, only for it to be called offside.
There were plenty of sequences outside of those two in which Sears showed that she can really torment a fullback on the international level.
The Racing Louisville star is still new and making this attack when it's at full strength is no easy feat. Sears is making one hell of an impression, though, as she continues to stand out in these first few caps.
AdvertisementImagnWINNER: Lynn Biyendolo
This game was all about the young players. The focus was always going to be on how the newcomers fared. Particularly at this point of the cycle, everything is about introducing new faces.
Biyendolo isn't one of those new faces. In fact, she's the most senior forward in the pool right now. But, in a game in which she was surrounded by 20-somethings and even a teenager, the 31-year-old attacker showed why she remains so important for this team.
She set the tone early with her goal, and she continued to set it throughout her time on the field. Having a veteran lead the line always helps and, against this tough Australia team, Biyendolo's presence clearly lifted the USWNT attack. That'll keep her in line for a potential start on Thursday in the SheBelieves Cup final against Japan and, if she does get the nod, Hayes will know exactly what to expect from her: danger and leadership.
GettyLOSER: Goal differential
A win is a win. Period. Still, in a tournament like this, it's not just if you win, but how you do it.
Japan, in this year's SheBelieves Cup, has won in style. They scored just seconds into their win over Colombia on Sunday, and they didn't stop until it ended as a 4-1 win. That takes their goal difference to +7, having previously blasted this Australia team, 4-0, in their opener.
The USNWT didn't blast past Australia, instead leaving Arizona with a 2-1 victory. It was good but great and, because of that, the USWNT has work to do.
With Sunday's results, the scenarios are clear. Win against Japan in the Wednesday's final and the USWNT lift the trophy for the eighth time in 10 tries. Lose or draw and the silverware heads to Japan. Goal difference is very much a factor and, even with their win on Sunday, the USWNT didn't put up enough to swing it in their favor.
It's not the end of the world. The U.S. will head into Thursday's game believing they can win. Now, they know they'll have to if they want to keep hold of a trophy that has so often remained in American hands.
Getty Images SportWINNER: The Thompson sisters
No matter what happened on the field, Sunday was going to be a dream come true for the two Thompson sisters. They'll have dreamed of this moment their entire lives and, on Sunday, they lived it – they walked onto the field together as starters for the USWNT.
Elder sister Alyssa started on the right wing. Younger sister Gisele? She was behind her at right-back. They combined a few times throughout the match, particularly when Gisele was able to overlap past Alyssa. It's surely something they've worked on thousands of times. This time, they were doing it against one of the world's top teams.
There was no real signature moment, no sister-to-sister assist to really cap it all off. Still, just making it to this level was a moment enough. Maybe that will come someday because this likely won't be the last time we see both Thompsons on the field together at the highest level.