'Every country wants to beat the U.S.' - More Emma Hayes experimentation, Rose Lavelle’s long-awaited return and ongoing goalkeeper questions: Five keys for USWNT vs Ireland

Manchester United's Phallon-Tullis Joyce may be Hayes' No. 1 keeper at the moment. But even so, there's a need to fill out the pool of keepers. For the upcoming friendlies, Hayes named three, all of whom earned their first call-ups to the senior team this year or late last year.

Of the three, Mandy McGlynn, who plays for the Utah Royals, is the only goalkeeper with caps, earning three. Seattle Reign FC's Claudia Dickey and Angel City FC's Angelina Anderson were also called into camp, and both will be looking to secure their first senior team appearances.

The trio of keepers are all starters for their respective NWSL teams, and of the three, McGlynn has the most saves with 48. Anderson has 43 saves for Angel City this season, while Dickey has 35. Of those teams, Seattle has the fewest goals against, with just 13.

Hayes will likely test all three of the keepers across the friendlies, perhaps starting with McGlynn, based off of USWNT experience.

"On this roster, we have players with a varied amount of experience, and my priority is to deepen the exposures required for international soccer," Hayes said.

It seems as if every USWNT game features a new and capable outside back. This roster highlights a true rarity: three left-footed outside backs - Rodriguez, Orlando Pride's Kerry Abello and Gotham FC's Lilly Reale. Hayes has options in the outside back role, with Houston Dash's Avery Patterson in the mix, along with Gisele Thompson.

For the past stretch of friendlies, it was Arsenal's Emily Fox and PSG's Crystal Dunn in the outside back rotation, but now Hayes can explore some newcomers. She has also mentioned wanting to push Gisele up the pitch, as she has a natural inkling to add to the attack, like her sister, Alyssa.

Historically, the outside back role for the USWNT combines disciplined one vs. one ability with the natural instinct to play an interchangeable role as positions shift - and we often see outside backs in spots higher up the field, or tucked in and inverted.

The veteran defenders here are Emily Sonnett and Naomi Girma, both of whom will likely be at center-back. Tara Mckeown and Emily Sams are the obvious choices to step up, along with youngster Jordyn Bugg - just 18, and a starter for Seattle.

There is depth in the midfield, especially with Rose Lavelle back in the mix, the emergence of young sensation Claire Hutton and the return of NWSL Midfielder of the Year and Rookie of the Year, Croix Bethune. Sam Coffey has been a consistent force in the holding midfield spot for the USWNT, so it's likely Hayes will turn to her to hold down the middle for the team.

Without Lily Yohannes and Lindsey Heaps, it's definitely possible we'll see new faces.

Lavelle is a no-brainer given her experience with the USWNT, plus in the second meeting against Ireland, Lavelle will get to play in her hometown of Cincinnati. Michelle Cooper and Emma Sears both mentioned how excited they are to share the pitch with Lavelle.

"I haven't played with Rose yet," Cooper said. "Obviously, I've seen her play, so I'm excited to build a connection there. And on the field and off the field, she's a great person. I'm just really excited to see, like, her energy, her personality translate on the field and in the locker room."

Sears, also a native of Ohio, has played with Lavelle previously.

"I have had the honor of playing with Rose and her and I have a special bond and connection over Ohio," she said. "I'm super excited to be in Cincinnati with her this camp. I hope that she's equally as excited. But, she's so talented, she's so technical, and any opportunity I get to play with her, you know, I think that it's super awesome."

Hayes also talked about value Lavelle brings.

“We’re incredibly excited to have her back with us for multiple reasons,” Hayes said. “First of all her personality, and character in the locker room has been sorely missed in the past six months. She’s primarily gifted as a football player, and playing between sort of eight to 10 positions."

The Kansas City Current have been on a tear this season in the NWSL, and Hayes has been taking note. The USWNT squad continues to feature Current players, with Cooper and Hutton consistently part of the roster rotation, and Rodriguez earning her first call-up.

"I'm super excited for Izzy," Cooper said. "I mean, she has been working her butt off this past year, and I'm really happy her that she's getting the opportunity to play on the stage, because I think she's super deserving. And for her to possibly get her first cap. I mean, I'm so excited that I get front row seat for that!"

Cooper has made six appearances for the USWNT, and has tallied one goal and one assist. The force of the outside forward has been integral to the service and wing work the USWNT, and each game she plays in a U.S. jersey seems crucial to the team's attacking success.

Hutton has also been a key piece in the midfield for the USWNT. The teenager, just 19, plays beyond her years when tasked with playing in the midfield. She's a disciplined midfielder who plays a quick possession style that is essential to the cadence of the team's flow. Hutton has now made three appearances for the USWNT.

Rodriguez, 26, plays outside back and has been with the Current since 2022, after being drafted No. 43 overall. The defender is left-footed, and has been key to the Current's recent success.

Scoring hasn't been an issue for the USWNT, mainly thanks to U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year Ally Sentnor, plus the contributions of Lynn Biyendolo, Cat Macario, Cooper and Alyssa Thompson.

Over the past seven matches, the USWNT have scored 15 goals and have gone 5-2-0. There were many questions around who would step up and score, especially when Trinity Rodman was ruled out due to her back injury, and with Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson both out due to pregnancy.

Whether it's Cooper serving in balls, or Thompson driving central and playing hungry in the box, the USWNT have figured out how to play even without three of the best attackers in the world. Sentnor has been crucial thanks to her ability to score and find angles that seem almost unimaginable.

"I think every match the U.S. plays is always going to be tough, because every country wants to beat the U.S. or get a good result against the U.S.," Sentnor said. "We always have that going against us, but this team just rises to every occasion. And it's truly an honor to be a part of it. So bringing the energy and bringing the refined details and the quick combinations are going to be really important for us."

Additionally, this roster includes Yazmeen Ryan and Emma Sears who are both lethal on the flank and provide depth moving up the field. As for who will be in that no. 9 spot? It will be interesting, but Biyendolo has played it before and could be a great option considering her speed, experience, and just familiarity.

"I think that anytime you can find yourself in a veteran seat, it means that you've been here for a while," Biyendolo said. "And knowing that is an honor and exciting in itself. Anytime you put on the crest, it's an honor. But knowing I have been here long enough to be considered that [a veteran] is, I don't know, like something you only dream of when you're younger."