USWNT 2024 Olympic roster: Projecting the 18 players for Paris (2024)

This position is more wide open than it’s been for some time, as longtime starter Alyssa Naeher starts to show signs of wear.

Last season in the NWSL, for example, Naeher ranked dead last in American Soccer Analysts’ goals added stat, which measures a keeper’s overall effectiveness. It wasn’t by a little either: Naeher posted a -9.81 mark, with the second-worst goalkeeper at -3.88.

Murphy, who has established herself as Naeher’s backup in recent years, wasn’t a whole lot better, but has likely earned her shot to start.

We’d like to see Racing Louisville’s Lund, who ranked first in goals added in the NWSL in 2023, get a shot, but at 27 and without any previous USWNT experience, her ceiling may be a backup for now. There are also some questions over her ability with her feet, but her prowess as a shot-stopper is undeniable.

In the mix: Alyssa Naeher, Aubrey Kingsbury, Jane Campbell, AD Franch

Girma is as much of a lock as they come, as she looks set to anchor the back line for the next decade.

On an 18-player roster, versatility is key, Davidson has the ability to play center back as well as left back. The Red Stars defender was slow to recover from a knee injury this year and missed the World Cup squad, but we like her odds to rediscover her best form in 2024.

Sauerbrunn will be 39 by the next Olympics, but she returned to form for Portland in the latter half of the season after she missed the World Cup with an injury. Her importance to the team has been unquestionable in recent years, and we’re betting on her saddling up for one last ride next summer.

Fox is essentially a lock as the team’s unquestioned starter at right back with the ability to also play left back. Dunn, for now, is the team’s starting left back and makes this roster for that reason, as well as her well-documented ability — and preference — to play attacking midfielder. Krueger adds the versatility of having played everywhere at the back, which as we said already is crucial given the compressed squad size.

In the mix: M.A. Vignola, Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Kelley O’Hara, Abby Dahlkemper, Sam Staab

Horan and Lavelle, if healthy, are impossible to leave off for the USWNT. If they can go, they’ll be in Paris.

Sonnett seems to have very quickly claimed that status for herself as well. Vlatko Andonovski’s tenure didn’t exactly end well, but deploying Sonnett as a ball-winning midfielder has paid off. Her ability to fill in across the backline as well makes her an Olympic must for Hayes.

Sullivan should still be on the roster, though there is competition for her place. In a more coherent system, the USWNT should be able to get more out of her.

Coffey is one of the competitors for that role, but there’s room in this squad for both players. It stands to reason that Hayes will not want to bring three out-and-out No. 10s to the Olympics as Andonovski did at the World Cup, and between Lavelle, Horan, Dunn, and (spoilers for the next section) Jaedyn Shaw, there are more than enough.

That opens the door for a box-to-box or defensive presence, and out of the contenders, Coffey’s form and maturity stand out over the rest of the pack. We could see a ton of competition for this last midfield place, but as of today it seems like Coffey has the edge.

In the mix: Savannah DeMelo, Ashley Sanchez, Olivia Moultrie, Taylor Kornieck, Kristie Mewis, Korbin Albert, Jenna Nighswonger

With Swanson injured, Rodman and Smith became the team’s two most important attacking players in 2023. Though neither quite reached their potential, particularly Smith, it would take a brave coach to leave either off this roster.

Swanson was easily the team’s best attacking player when healthy in 2023, and still led the team in goals for the year despite not playing after an April knee injury. As long as there are no setbacks, Swanson will be on this roster.

Despite only receiving her first cap in October, Shaw is proving to be one of the most dangerous and unique attacking players in the pool. Even on an 18-player roster, she may be something close to a lock by the time next summer rolls around. Whether out wide or as another option as a No. 10, her play has forced the issue.

Williams’ ability to play anywhere across the front and her unmatched prowess as a high-pressing forward — along with an obvious history as a serial winner in the NWSL — get her onto the plane as well.

That is, unless two huge names not on our list force a change. Alex Morgan has been a fixture for well over a decade but endured a rough 2023 with the USWNT. The veteran forward’s start to the year with the San Diego Wave will be key. If she regains something close to her best form, she’ll still have a USWNT roster spot come the summer.

Catarina Macario’s situation is also murky, with the Chelsea attacker having been out for 18 months now after tearing her ACL in 2022. Even with some rust, a healthy Macario seems like a sure bet to make this squad, but who can say for sure when that will happen?

In the mix: Catarina Macario, Alex Morgan, Mia Fishel, Ashley Hatch, Alyssa Thompson, Midge Purce

Goalkeepers (2): Casey Murphy, Katie Lund

Defenders (6): Naomi Girma, Becky Sauerbrunn, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Crystal Dunn, Casey Krueger

Midfielders(5): Emily Sonnett, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Andi Sullivan, Sam Coffey

Forwards(5): Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Jaedyn Shaw, Mallory Swanson, Lynn Williams