USWNT Faces Midfield Dilemma After Spain Showdown

The US women's national team is in a bit of a bind when it comes to midfield cohesion, and coach Emma Hayes is actively searching for the right combinations to solve the puzzle. After a rocky set of matches against Spain, the pressure is mounting. If not for a late-game surge in the second match, the critique surrounding the team could have been much harsher. In their two encounters with Spain, the European side looked far more assured and effective, leaving the four-time champions struggling to find their rhythm. Both teams were missing key players, with the US sidelined by the absences of Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey, while Spain lacked stars like Aitana Bonmatí and Clàudia Pina. Spain took control early, storming to a 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes of the first match and holding onto it for the rest of the game. In the rematch, the US again found themselves trailing at halftime by the same margin. It wasn't until Hayes made five changes that the US finally started to find their footing, scoring two goals through sharp, direct plays. But relying on such drastic changes isn’t exactly a recipe for success, especially with World Cup rules limiting teams to five substitutions. Spain's ability to plug in alternates seamlessly into their game plan is a testament to their thorough preparation and understanding of roles on the pitch. The US, however, can no longer rely solely on talent to prevail against other top-tier teams. Hayes has been clear about this reality, and her coaching staff has worked diligently to assemble the strongest possible roster. This year has been all about talent evaluation, with the October window seeing the introduction of four new players and the return of veterans Mallory Swanson and Ashley Sanchez, who helped secure a draw in the latest match. Since Hayes took over in mid-2024, Kate Del Fava and Pietra Tordin became the latest players to debut, bringing the total to 34. While this approach has deepened the player pool, it might be coming at the cost of developing the necessary synergy among the team. A well-functioning midfield is crucial for World Cup success. Spain showcased this during their 2023 triumph, just as the US did in their 2019 victory, thanks to a perfectly balanced midfield trio. With Sam Mewis and Julie Ertz no longer in the picture, Hayes faces the difficult task of finding a worthy replacement. Her previous successful Chelsea teams were built around midfielders who not only had technical skills but also understood their teammates' movements inside and out. That type of chemistry can't be rushed, and while Hayes aims to establish a solid core of players by June, the ongoing evaluation of individuals complicates matters. "I want to get to the end of June where I have a really strong sense of a core group of players that will form part of the build towards the World Cup," Hayes told CBS. However, she acknowledges the need for consistency on the pitch, which is still a work in progress. The US women’s team has played 27 matches since the start of 2025, and seven midfielders have made at least three starts each. While Coffey and Claire Hutton have been the preferred defensive midfielders, Lindsey Heaps, Lily Yohannes, and the injured Olivia Moultrie have filled central roles. Rose Lavelle and Jaedyn Shaw have taken on attacking duties, with Heaps being the only player to have started in all three midfield roles. Despite the consistency in player selection, Hayes has experimented with 17 different combinations of midfielders during this period. In fact, it was only the second time that Hutton, Heaps, and Lavelle started a match together. The supposed first-choice trio of Coffey, Heaps, and Lavelle has also only shared the field together twice in nearly two years. Unfortunately, the absence of Coffey due to an ankle injury complicated matters against Spain, highlighting the challenges of a midfield setup that relies on players in more withdrawn roles. The hope is that the full-backs can help bridge the gaps, but the need for a solid No. 8 role remains a priority for Hayes, especially with Moultrie's ACL injury adding to the complication.