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The United States women’s national team opens up a stretch of three games in a week on Thursday against Iceland.
Emma Hayes’ side will take on Iceland twice in a three-day span and then face Argentina to conclude the October international window.
A lot of familiar faces are in the USWNT squad, but there are also plenty of new ones. Hayes called in six players who could make their international debuts over the next week.
The Americans will try to keep their winning ways going, regardless of who is on the pitch. They are on a 15-game unbeaten streak and a six-game winning streak.
Date: Thursday, October 24
Hayes will rely on most of her experienced players to get results during the October international window.
Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Emily Fox and Naomi Girma are among the USWNT mainstays on the October roster.
But there will come a time for Hayes to give some players their debuts over the next week as well. Eva Gaetino, Alyssa Malonson, Emily Sams, Hal Hershfelt, Yazmeen Ryan and Emma Sears are all vying for their international debuts some time in the next week.
The USWNT has become a defensive machine since Hayes took over prior to the Summer Olympics.
The Americans carry a three-game shutout streak into Thursday’s game in Austin and they have not conceded multiple goals in a single contest since the SheBelieves Cup Final on April 9.
Iceland should be a much easier opponent for the USWNT to face than the likes of Germany and Brazil.
Iceland has not qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and it went winless in its last two European Championship appearances.
The visitors do come into their pair of matches with the USWNT on a four-game unbeaten streak from UEFA 2025 qualifying.
However, it is difficult to see where the goals will come from for Iceland. There are two players on the entire roster with a double-digit goal tally at the international level.
In comparison, the USWNT has three forwards and two midfielders with at least 19 international goals.
The USWNT should follow a simple formula to victory in Austin. It should dominate possession, convert on a few of its chances and play strong defense.
Hayes’ side will not be doing anything new. It will just be refining the things it thrived at during the gold-medal run at the Olympics.
If the game is under control, Hayes will likely mix in some players to receive their debuts, but at the start, we should see the established stars, like Swanson and Horan, take control of the game.
Prediction: USWNT 3, Iceland 0