USWNT Shakes Up Lineup for SheBelieves Cup Clash Against Australia

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) is poised for a compelling showdown against Australia in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, presented by visa. The match is scheduled for February 23, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with kickoff at 3:07 p.m. MT. Fans can tune in to TBS, Universo, Max, and Peacock to catch the action, while radio coverage will be available on Westwood One Sports. The USWNT’s starting lineup reveals notable changes, including a first cap for Claire Hutton and first starts for both Gisele Thompson and Hutton. Defender Tierna Davidson will lead the team as captain for the first time.

Starting XI and Available Substitutes

The USWNT’s starting lineup against Australia presents a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents.Mandy McGlynn will take her place in goal, earning her second career cap. The defensive line consists of Emily Sams, Korbin Albert, Lynn Biyendolo, and Tierna Davidson, who will proudly wear the captain’s armband. In the midfield, Jaedyn Shaw and Claire Hutton will aim to dictate the flow of the game, while alyssa Thompson, Gisele Thompson, Emma Sears, and Crystal Dunn will spearhead the attack.

The full starting XI is as follows:

• 18-Mandy McGlynn
• 2-Emily Sams
• 3-Korbin Albert
• 6-Lynn Biyendolo
• 7-Alyssa Thompson
• 8-Jaedyn Shaw
• 12-Tierna Davidson (Capt.)
• 13-Emma Sears
• 15-Gisele Thompson
• 16-Claire Hutton
• 19-Crystal Dunn

The available substitutes offer depth and tactical options for the USWNT. The bench includes:

• 1-Jane Campbell
• 4-Tara McKeown
• 5-Jenna Nighswonger
• 9-Ally Sentnor
• 10-Lindsey Heaps
• 11-lily Yohannes
• 14-Emily Sonnett
• 17-Sam Coffey
• 20-Catarina Macario
• 21-Michelle Cooper
• 22-Yazmeen Ryan
• 23-Emily Fox

Notable Lineup Changes and Milestones

The match against Australia is a momentous occasion, marked by several players achieving milestones and a significant reshuffling of the team. Claire Hutton will earn her first cap, becoming the 273rd woman to represent the USWNT and the 15th player to debut under coach Emma Hayes. Gisele Thompson also makes her first start, following her debut on February 20 against Colombia.

Defender Tierna Davidson will captain the USA for the first time in her 66th international appearance. Davidson, a two-time Olympian, helped the U.S. win bronze in Tokyo in 2021 and gold earlier this summer in Paris. this will be her 52nd career start.

crystal Dunn earns her 156th cap and her first sence playing 90 minutes in the 2024 Olympic gold medal game win over Brazil. It will be her 125th career start. Only 33 players in U.S. history have 125 or more caps.

The starting lineup features 11 changes from the match against Colombia on February 20 in Houston. This is only the sixth time in USWNT history, spanning 758 matches, that the lineup has seen a complete change of all 11 starters from game to game. It is indeed the second time it has happened during the same event/camp and the first time it has happened during one event/camp that did not include a closed-door international match. The last time such a change occurred was nearly 25 years ago.

The importance of these changes is underscored by the fact that while coach Hayes made 10 changes from October 27, 2024, vs. Iceland to October 30, 2024, vs. Argentina last year, and the USA made 10 changes from its first to its second 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup matches, there hasn’t been an 11-starter change from match-to-match as January 7, 2000.

Sisters on the Field

With sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson starting, this marks only the fourth time in U.S.history that sisters have started a match together, the other three instances involving Kristie and Samantha Mewis. The last time two sisters started together was on July 5, 2021, when the Mewis sisters started against Mexico in East hartford. The Mewis sisters started two more games together, vs. Nigeria in 2021 in Austin, Texas, and at the Algarve cup in Portugal on March 10, 2014, vs. Denmark.

Mandy McGlynn makes her second career start and will earn her second career cap. Her first came on Oct. 30 vs.Argentina in Louisville, Ky., a match in which she also earned her first shutout, becoming the ninth GK in U.S. history to earn a shutout in her first cap.

Emily sams earns her third career cap and makes her second start. She last played for the USA on Oct. 30, 2024, vs. Argentina in a match in which she played the full 90 minutes. Sears gets the start on her 23rd birthday!

Korbin Albert is set to earn her 24th cap as she makes her 12th career start. Albert made her international debut in the USA’s final match of 2023 and appeared in all but two matches for the USWNT in 2024.

Lynn Biyendolo makes her first start of 2025 and will earn her 77th cap.It will be her 32nd start for the USA.

Alyssa Thompson earns her 14th cap and will make her fifth career start. She last started against England at Wembley Stadium on nov. 30, 2024.

Jaedyn Shaw will earn her 23rd cap as she makes her 11th career start for the USWNT.Shaw scored in each of her first five career starts for the USWNT,the longest such streak in program history,and has eight career goals.

Looking Ahead

The USWNT’s match against Australia promises to be an exciting contest,with a revamped lineup and several players eager to make their mark. the blend of experience and youth provides an opportunity for the team to showcase its depth and versatility as they continue their journey in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.

USWNT’s Bold Lineup Shakeup: A Historic shift in Women’s Soccer Strategy?

Eleven starting players changed—a seismic shift in USWNT history. What does this tell us about the team’s evolving approach and future prospects?

Interviewer: Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading sports strategist and analyst specializing in women’s soccer, welcome to World Today News. This dramatic lineup change by the USWNT ahead of their SheBelieves Cup match against Australia has sent ripples through the soccer world. Can you shed some light on the meaning of this unprecedented decision?

Dr. Sharma: “Thank you for having me. The USWNT’s decision to field a entirely new starting eleven is indeed a landmark moment, not just for the team, but for the overall evolution of women’s soccer strategy. It’s a bold move that speaks volumes about the depth of talent within the USWNT player pool and,more importantly,their coaching staff’s willingness to experiment and adapt. This isn’t simply about resting players; it’s a considered strategic gamble reflecting a shift in the team’s long-term approach—a move towards greater squad rotation and player growth.”

Unveiling the Rationale behind the Reshuffle

Interviewer: What are some of the key factors that might have driven this radical lineup change? Are we seeing a purposeful attempt to infuse youth and fresh perspectives into the team?

Dr. Sharma: “Absolutely. there are several converging factors at play. The meaningful increase in the number of highly skilled, young players within the USWNT roster has created unprecedented competition for starting positions. This creates a healthy internal pressure, fostering betterment across the board. The decision to overhaul the starting lineup isn’t just about giving youth a chance. It’s about carefully assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different players in various positions, testing different formation dynamics, and exploring optimal combinations for future international competition.This systematic approach is consistent with longer-term player development strategies.”

A New Era of Depth and Versatility

Interviewer: The article highlights the rarity of such a dramatic lineup shift. How does this radical change affect the team’s overall performance strategy?

Dr. Sharma: “the sheer rarity emphasizes the ample risk and reward associated with this level of adjustment. Such a move signals a clear intention to cultivate a squad deeply rooted in remarkable depth and versatility rather than relying solely on a core group of established players. The risk involves potential coordination challenges and reduced on-field synergy between teammates. The reward? The potential to unearth hidden talent and foster increased squad cohesion and ultimately develop a more adaptable and resilient team able to face diverse challenges and opponents. The team is effectively creating a library of positional combinations to explore and exploit in future matches.”

Evaluating the Long-Term Implications

Interviewer: What are the potential long-term consequences—both positive and negative—of this bold approach?

Dr. Sharma: “The potential benefits are immense. We could see improved player development among younger players, enhanced adaptability of the team as an inevitable result of the wide array of in-game combinations explored, and increased overall competitiveness as an inevitable result of this competition within the squad and development of stronger players.”

Potential downsides? “There’s a risk of decreased immediate effectiveness on the field due to a mismatch in chemistry among the players. Though, the rewards associated with the long-term vision and potential for development across the squad are likely to outweigh an initial lack of in-game cohesion.”

Interviewer: The appearance of sister duo Alyssa and Gisele Thompson is another noteworthy point. How significant is it to see siblings lining up for the USWNT?

Dr. Sharma: “The Thompson sisters starting together underscores the depth of talent within the USWNT family. It’s a compelling narrative, showcasing the power of sibling rivalry and mutual support in a high-pressure sporting habitat. While not unprecedented, it is relatively rare, illustrating the strength of the team’s depth and highlighting the effectiveness of the player development programs in nurturing talent within families.This can offer role models for girls worldwide.”

The Future of Women’s Soccer Strategy

Interviewer: Looking ahead, what broader implications might this lineup change have on the future of women’s soccer strategy at both the club and international levels?

dr. sharma: “This USWNT strategy could set a compelling precedent for other women’s soccer teams, prompting a wider adoption of a proactive, long-term approach to squad management.A greater emphasis on rotating players, systematically testing different combinations, and building squad depth across various positions can become central to team-building strategies at both the club and international levels. This development will positively impact the overall quality of player development programs across various leagues.”

USWNT’s Historic Lineup Shakeup: A Bold New Era in Women’s Soccer?

Eleven starting players changed—a seismic shift in USWNT history. Is this a revolutionary strategy, or a risky gamble?

Interviewer: dr. Anya Sharma, a leading sports strategist and analyst specializing in women’s soccer, welcome to World Today News. The USWNT’s dramatic lineup change before their SheBelieves Cup match against Australia has ignited debate across the soccer world. Can you illuminate the importance of this unprecedented decision?

Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. The USWNT’s decision to field an entirely new starting eleven is indeed a landmark moment, not just for the team, but for the evolution of women’s soccer strategy. This bold move highlights the depth of talent within the USWNT player pool and, more importantly, the coaching staff’s willingness to experiment and adapt. It’s not merely about resting players; it’s a calculated strategic gamble showcasing a shift towards greater squad rotation and player progress. This is a meaningful departure from previous approaches.

Unveiling the Rationale Behind the reshuffle

Interviewer: What factors motivated this radical lineup change? Is this a purposeful infusion of youth and fresh perspectives?

Dr. Sharma: Absolutely. Several factors converge. The substantial increase in the number of highly skilled, young players within the USWNT roster has created unprecedented competition for starting positions. This healthy internal competition fosters betterment across the board. The decision to overhaul the starting eleven isn’t solely about giving youth a chance. it’s about rigorously assessing the strengths and weaknesses of diverse players in various positions, testing diffrent formation dynamics, and exploring optimal combinations for future international competitions. This systematic approach aligns perfectly with long-term player development strategies. We’re witnessing a strategic shift towards holistic squad management.

A New Era of Depth and Versatility

Interviewer: The article emphasizes the rarity of such a significant lineup shift. How does this radical change impact the team’s overall performance strategy?

Dr. Sharma: The rarity underscores the risk and reward inherent in such a dramatic adjustment. This move signals a clear commitment to cultivating a squad with extraordinary depth and versatility instead of relying solely on a core group of established players. The immediate risk involves potential coordination challenges and reduced on-field synergy. The reward? The potential to uncover hidden talent, foster increased squad cohesion, and ultimately develop a more adaptable, resilient team capable of facing diverse opponents and overcoming various challenges. The team is, in essence, building a library of positional combinations for future matches – a dynamic, adaptable approach to match strategy.

Evaluating the Long-Term Implications

Interviewer: What are the potential long-term consequences—positive and negative—of this bold approach?

Dr. Sharma: The potential benefits are substantial. We could see:

Improved player development among younger players.

Enhanced team adaptability due to the exploration of a wide array of in-game player combinations.

* Increased overall competitiveness driven by internal competition and intensified player development.

Potential downsides? There’s a risk of decreased immediate effectiveness on the field due to a lack of ingrained chemistry among the players.however, the long-term rewards associated with this visionary approach to player development likely outweigh any initial lack of in-game cohesion.

Interviewer: The Thompson sisters starting together is also noteworthy. How significant is it to see siblings on the USWNT?

Dr. Sharma: the thompson sisters starting together underscores the remarkable depth of talent within the USWNT. it’s a compelling narrative,showcasing the power of sibling rivalry and mutual support within a high-pressure sporting surroundings. While not unparalleled, it’s relatively rare, highlighting both the program’s success and the effectiveness of its player development strategies, even within families. this also provides powerful role models for young girls aspiring to reach the highest level of competitive soccer.

The Future of Women’s Soccer Strategy

Interviewer: What broader implications might this lineup change have on women’s soccer strategy at the club and international levels?

Dr. Sharma: This USWNT strategy could set a precedent, prompting a wider adoption of long-term approaches to squad management. A greater focus on player rotation, systematic testing of combinations, and the development of squad depth could become standard practices in team-building at both the club and international levels. This would profoundly impact the overall quality of women’s soccer player development programs globally.

Interviewer: Thank you, Dr.Sharma, for your insightful analysis. this dramatic lineup change undoubtedly marks a pivotal moment, redefining the potential of a cohesive, versatile, and powerful women’s soccer team. We encourage our readers to share their thoughts and predictions in the comments below!