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Jaedyn Shaw, Alyssa Thompson, Lindsey Heaps USWNTGOAL

Is it Jaedyn Shaw time? More opportunities for Alyssa Thompson and Lily Yohannes? Projecting Emma Hayes' USWNT SheBelieves Cup Starting XI vs Australia

The SheBelieves Cup is a sprint, not a marathon and, at this level, sprints require rotation. U.S. women's national team head coach Emma Hayes acknowledged that by calling in an extra outfield player to this camp, with just two goalkeepers. For the USWNT to get through two more games, they'll need just about everyone.

Hayes unleashed a few surprises for the USWNT's opener, a 2-0 win over Colombia headlined by goals from Catarina Macario and Ally Sentnor. The latter, in particular, was one of the more surprising starters in that game and she responded by netting her first USWNT goal. There are plenty of other young players in search of similar breakouts, but Hayes has some difficult decisions to make when balancing this XI.

Changes are coming for Sunday's match against Australia, which kicks off at 5 p.m. ET in Phoenix. The only question is how many? With just a few days in between games, and just a few more before Wednesday's match against Japan, Hayes will certainly mix and match.

It'll be a balancing act of youth and veterans, but also of fitness level as the U.S. travels all over the West to play three tough games against three strong teams. And several stars are not on the roster, including Naomi Girma, Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson.

There's no predicting what Hayes, who remains unbeaten in her first 16 matches in charge of the USWNT, will do - she's proven on more than one occasion that she can go any which way with her XI. So what changes could she make from Colombia to Australia? GOAL takes a look.

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    GK: Jane Campbell

    No need to change anything here and, to be fair, Campbell deserves at least one, if not two, more starts this camp. She had so little to do against Colombia, but maybe she'll get a chance to make a few saves against Australia, even if they are without superstar striker Sam Kerr.

    Campbell is pushing for a spot as the USWNT's No. 1. The Colombia game didn't give her much to work with when it came to proving her case, which makes this Australia match feel even more important.

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    LB: Crystal Dunn

    Jenna Nighswonger started the first game and, to her credit, shined in that left-back role. She got up and down the field, as the USWNT clearly attempted to attack down her side, leading to some good sequences and very nearly a goal.

    Because of that performance, Nighswonger could certainly retain her spot in the XI. Hayes, though, could also rotate, giving Crystal Dunn a runout. Dunn could use it.. She's played just 79 minutes since September, so getting some extended game time will likely do wonders for her as she begins life at PSG on the club level.

    With that in mind, we'll give her the start in this game, even if it's tough to bench Nighswonger.

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    CB: Emily Sams

    Sams looked solid in her first two caps back in the fall, but watched on from the bench in the Colombia game. She's due another chance, and it'll likely come on Sunday.

    Newcomer Tara McKeown put in a good shift after settling into the game on Thursday, and she and Sams are likely now pushing each other for one of those final centerback spots in a full-strength roster. Both need more experience, though, and it's Sams' turn to get some.

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    CB: Tierna Davidson

    Another change here as Davidson takes the spot of a fellow veteran. Emily Sonnett got the nod last game after being honored for her 100th cap pregame but this should be Davidson's time to shine.

    At the moment, Davidson is likely the best partner for the currently-absent Naomi Girma. That duo has proven itself plenty of times, but this is a good chance for Davidson to get some reps alongside someone other than the world-class Chelsea newcomer.

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    RB: Emily Fox

    Unlike the rest of the defense, no need to change here unless Fox is feeling it a bit, given her recent Arsenal workload. If she's fit enough to play, there's no reason not to give her the start.

    If she isn't, Hayes could turn to Gisele Thompson, although that would be a big ask of the teenage defender. It could be a chance to sink or swim, but, in reality, it makes more sense to just play Fox here.

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    CM: Claire Hutton

    Welcome to the show, Claire.

    This will be a big test for the uncapped midfielder, but that's what these games are for, right? One of the few more defensive midfielders in the pool not named Sam Coffey, Hutton's inclusion would be a huge ask against a very good Australia team.

    How better to find out about her, though? The 19-year-old midfielder clearly showed something in Futures Camp in January, so now she'll get a chance to show it on the field.

  • United States v Colombia - 2025 SheBelieves CupGetty Images Sport

    CM: Lily Yohannes

    Maybe it would be foolhardy to start a teenager in back-to-back games on just a few days of rest. Maybe it would make more sense to rotate someone else in here.

    But, after seeing what Yohannes did against Colombia, how could you not want more?

    The Ajax starlet was incredible in her start on Thursday, pinging passes all over the field with ease. It was the perfect look at why so many are so high on her future, although that future may arrive faster than even her biggest believers expected.

    In that one game, Yohannes didn't look like a USWNT star of the future, she looked like one of the present. Doing it again would drive that point home, whether that comes against Australia or against Japan later in the week.

  • United States v Colombia - 2025 SheBelieves CupGetty Images Sport

    CM: Lindsey Heaps

    Tough call to make, particularly because Heaps took a physical beating against Colombia. If Yohannes and Hutton do start, though, this group will need a little bit of leadership - and who better to provide it than the captain?

    This spot could go to Korbin Albert, but we'll give Heaps at least 45 minutes to set the tone as this team's leader with a young midfield alongside her.

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    LW: Alyssa Thompson

    She didn't play in the opener, which could be a strong indicator that we'll see Thompson in this game.

    Right now, Thompson is in this odd spot between rookie and veteran. She has so little experience, but that experience comes with a World Cup run. The Angel City star seemed to really take a leap forward in the fall, particularly with her first USWNT goal.

    Now, with a start against a good opponent in Australia, she'll look to build on that prior experience.

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    ST: Jaedyn Shaw

    Catarina Macario started in this false nine role in the win over Colombia but, given her history with injuries, Hayes has to take things slowly with her. Fortunately, there's another creative star in the team that can play a similar role.

    Jaedyn Shaw got a few minutes off the bench against Colombia and should be in line for a start in this one. Truthfully, she could start just about anywhere: in midfield, out wide or as a striker.

    Given the team composition, though, striker works, and gives Macario a chance to build towards the final game of this competition.

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    RW: Yazmeen Ryan

    Ryan was strong against Colombia, providing an assist on Macario's opener. She was also one of the first players taken off. Maybe that was on purpose?

    In reality, Hayes can go a number of ways in this position. She could go with a veteran in Lynn Biyendolo or with a newcomer in Michelle Cooper. Ryan, though, also deserves some more chance to prove herself given how well she's done with the USWNT.

    Either as a starter or as a sub, she should get that chance against Australia.