USWNT OlympicsGetty/GOAL

USWNT 2024 Olympics squad: Who will Emma Hayes take to Paris?

Competition is fierce for places on the plane to Paris, so which 18 players will the new coach select this summer?

The Emma Hayes era has officially begun, and it's one that promises massive changes for the U.S. women's national team. After a disappointing 2023 World Cup, the USWNT have hit the reset button, with Hayes now tasked with rebuilding this team into a juggernaut.

The U.S. is still very, very good, to be fair, but this team is no longer the dominant force it once was. The rise of teams all over Europe has coincided with a slight dip from the USWNT, and that dip has made all the difference.

As a result, the U.S. heads into this summer's Olympics undergoing something of a rebuild. Hayes has just joined the team after concluding her Chelsea duties, and she won't have much time to put her stamp on things before heading to France.

It'll be a tough turnaround, but this team has the talent. The USWNT is loaded with attacking stars that, on any given day, give this group a chance to win.

Can they pull it off this summer? Will this team be able to claim gold? That's always the aim with the USWNT and, even during this rebuilding phase, expectations are sky high.

But who will make the USWNT's 18-player Olympic roster? GOAL takes a look...

  • Alyssa Naeher USWNT 2024Getty Images

    GOALKEEPERS

    Alyssa Naeher is the incumbent and could very well start in Paris, though recent injury issues could yet rob the 36-year-old veteran of one last tournament.

    The U.S. has options behind her, including long-standing backup Casey Murphy and NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year Jane Campbell. Hayes will have some decisions to make, particularly with her No.1 goalkeeping spot once Naeher is healthy.

    NameClub
    Jane CampbellHouston Dash
    Aubrey KingsburyWashington Spirit
    Casey MurphyNorth Carolina Courage
    Alyssa NaeherChicago Red Stars
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  • Girma USNWT 2023Getty

    DEFENDERS

    There are two starting XI locks in this group: Naomi Girma and Emily Fox. Outside of that, it's all a bit up in the air.

    The search for Girma's best defensive partner goes on, while there's a fierce competition at left-back, particularly with Crystal Dunn now being listed as a forward, suggesting her playing at left-back is not something Hayes foresees happening.

    The group has a good mix of youth and experience, though, which gives Hayes plenty of options to choose from when selecting a roster.

    NameClub
    Alana CookSeattle Reign FC
    Abby DahlkemperSan Diego Wave
    Tierna DavidsonGotham FC
    Emily FoxArsenal
    Eva GaetinoPSG
    Naomi GirmaSan Diego Wave
    Casey KruegerWashington Spirit
    Jenna NighswongerGotham FC
    Becky SauerbrunnPortland Thorns
    Emily SonnettGotham FC
    Sam StaabChicago Red Stars
    Kate WiesnerWashington Spirit
  • Lindsey Horan USWNT 2023-24Getty Images

    MIDFIELDERS

    The midfield struggled at times at the World Cup due to injuries and form, but there are some star players here. Lindsey Horan and Rose Lavelle lead the charge, while newcomers Sam Coffey and Korbin Albert are also in the mix for starting spots.

    And then you have a new generation, with the likes of Hal Hershfelt, Lily Yohannes and Olivia Moultrie waiting for their opportunities, which could come post-Olympics simply due to the limited roster spots.

    NameClub
    Korbin AlbertPSG
    Croix BethuneWashington Spirit
    Sam CoffeyPortland Thorns
    Savannah DeMeloRacing Louisville
    Hal HershfeltWashington Spirit
    Lindsey HoranLyon
    Rose LavelleGotham FC
    Olivia MoultriePortland Thorns
    Lily YohannesAjax
  • Jaedyn Shaw Trinity Rodman USWNT 2024Getty Images

    FORWARDS

    Good luck sorting this one out, Emma...

    It's a champagne problem, but a problem nonetheless: the USWNT is loaded in the attack. From rising stars in Jaedyn Shaw and Trinity Rodman to veterans like Alex Morgan and Mallory Swanson, there are so many options. Add in the returning Catarina Macario, a true unicorn, too.

    There's no right answer here, but there also may not be a wrong one for Hayes given the talent of those involved.

    NameClub
    Crystal DunnGotham FC
    Catarina MacarioChelsea
    Alex MorganSan Diego Wave
    Trinity RodmanWashington Spirit
    Jaedyn ShawSan Diego Wave
    Sophia SmithPortland Thorns
    Mallory SwansonChicago Red Stars
    Alyssa ThompsonAngel City FC
    Lynn WilliamsGotham FC
  • Emma Hayes 2024Getty

    EXPECTED XI

    There aren't many locks in this USWNT lineup, which is a good thing for Hayes, who can experiment a bit. There are a few big questions to answer, though. Who starts alongside Girma? What position is best for Shaw? Who starts as the No. 9?

    Hayes will have a little time to figure that out, but not much as she looks to assemble her go-to starting XI.

    USWNT XI (4-2-3-1): Naeher; Nighswonger, Sonnett, Girma, Fox; Coffey, Horan, Shaw; Swanson, Smith, Rodman.

  • Mia Fishel USWNTGetty Images

    NOTABLE ABSENTEES

    The USWNT attack is already stacked, but it's missing two legitimate contributors due to injury. Mia Fishel is out after tearing her ACL ahead of the Gold Cup, and the same injury has since befallen Midge Purce, as the NWSL final MVP is also set for a long spell on the sidelines.

    NameClubReason
    Mia FishelChelseaInjury
    Midge PurceGotham FCInjury