Hartford, Conn. – The United States Women’s national team encountered Portugal this afternoon at pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, marking a new chapter for the team under Head Coach Emma Hayes. The game featured a significantly revamped starting lineup, emphasizing youth and offering opportunities for emerging talent. The match was broadcast on TNT,truTV,and HBO Max in English,and on Universo and Peacock in Spanish,with radio coverage provided by Westwood One Sports.
A New Look for the USWNT
Table of Contents
- 1. A New Look for the USWNT
- 2. Starting XI and Key Players
- 3. Historical Context: A Surge in Youthful Rosters
- 4. Player Spotlights
- 5. The Evolving Landscape of Women’s Soccer
- 6. Frequently Asked Questions About the USWNT
- 7. What are the key strengths and weaknesses of the USWNTS projected starting lineup compared to Portugal’s?
- 8. USWNT vs. Portugal Match Preview: Starting Lineup and Key Insights
- 9. Projected Starting Lineups
- 10. Key Battles to Watch
- 11. Tactical Insights & formations
- 12. Set Piece strategies
- 13. injury & Suspension Updates (as of October 26, 2025)
- 14. Historical Context: USWNT vs. Portugal
- 15. Benefits of Analyzing pre-match Data
Emma Hayes opted for eight changes to the starting eleven compared to the previous contest against Portugal on October 23rd. Only Emily Sonnett, Alyssa Thompson and Avery Patterson retained thier places in the lineup. This strategic shift underscored hayes’ commitment to evaluating a broader pool of players as she builds towards future competitions.
Starting XI and Key Players
The starting lineup showcased a blend of experience and potential, with notable inclusions of young players. Here’s a detailed look at the team:
| Player | position | Caps (as of Oct. 26, 2025) | Age (as of Oct. 26, 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claudia Dickey | Goalkeeper | 3 | 25 |
| Avery Patterson | Defender | 8 | 23 |
| Jordyn Bugg | Defender | 3 | 19 |
| Lily Yohannes | Midfielder | 10 | 18 |
| Jaedyn Shaw | Midfielder | 28 | 20 |
| Ally Sentnor | Forward | 13 | 21 |
| Olivia Moultrie | midfielder | 10 | 20 |
| Emily Sonnett (captain) | Defender | 112 | 32 |
| Claire Hutton | Defender | 8 | 19 |
| Alyssa thompson | Forward | 24 | 20 |
| Lilly Reale | Defender | 3 | 22 |
Notably, Emily sonnett entered the match with more international appearances (112 caps) than the collective total of the rest of the starting lineup (100 caps), highlighting her role as a veteran presence. The average age of the starting eleven was 21.7 years, dropping to 20.7 years excluding Sonnett. This level of youthfulness is the lowest in the last 25 years for the USWNT, with the previous lowest average being 17.9 caps against Brazil in April 2025.
Historical Context: A Surge in Youthful Rosters
The inclusion of three teenagers – Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton, and Jordyn Bugg – in the starting lineup is a notable moment for the USWNT. Prior to 2025, the last time the team started three or more teenagers in a full-strength match was February 9, 2000, against Norway. While younger lineups have appeared in the past, such as during the 2001 Algarve Cup and a match against Italy in 2000, those instances involved teams comprised of developmental players due to scheduling conflicts with veteran players.
Player Spotlights
several players stood out with their individual accomplishments and potential. Claudia Dickey, at 25, was making her third appearance for the national team, having previously recorded a shutout in her debut. Avery Patterson,with three goals from the outside back position this year for the Houston Dash,continued to demonstrate her offensive contributions.Jordyn Bugg, one of two players born in 2006 on the roster, showcased her scoring ability from the center back position, while Lily Yohannes, the youngest player at 18, continues to gain valuable experience. Jaedyn Shaw recently completed a transfer to Gotham FC for a record $1.25 million fee, and Olivia Moultrie holds the record for most goals scored by a teenager in NWSL history with 14 goals.
Did You Know? Emily Sonnett helped Gotham FC win the first-ever Concacaf W Champions Cup in May,securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and the inaugural FIFA women’s Club World Cup in 2028.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the progress of players like Alyssa Thompson, who transferred to Chelsea FC after a strong finish to the 2024 NWSL season, demonstrating the increasing global mobility of top women’s soccer talent.
What does this emphasis on youth signify for the future of the USWNT? And how will these players perform under the pressure of international competition?
The Evolving Landscape of Women’s Soccer
The emphasis on youth within the USWNT reflects a broader trend in women’s soccer – a rise in young talent and increasing global competition. According to FIFA,women’s football participation has been steadily growing,with a reported 30% increase in registered female players globally between 2016 and 2019. FIFA Progress Report This surge in participation has led to a deeper talent pool, forcing national teams to continuously scout and develop the next generation of stars.
Frequently Asked Questions About the USWNT
Share your thoughts on the USWNT’s new direction in the comments below! Let us know what you thought of the match and which young players impressed you the most.
What are the key strengths and weaknesses of the USWNTS projected starting lineup compared to Portugal’s?
USWNT vs. Portugal Match Preview: Starting Lineup and Key Insights
Projected Starting Lineups
analyzing the recent form and tactical preferences of Vlatko Andonovski, here’s a likely USWNT starting XI for the match against Portugal:
* Goalkeeper: Alyssa Naeher – A consistent presence and reliable shot-stopper.
* Defense:
* Emily fox (Left Back) – Offers both defensive solidity and attacking width.
* Naomi Girma (Center Back) – Emerging as a key figure in the USWNT defense, known for her composure and aerial ability.
* Alana Cook (Center Back) – Provides a strong partnership with Girma, offering tactical versatility.
* Sofia Huerta (Right Back) – Experienced and capable of delivering dangerous crosses.
* Midfield:
* Julie Ertz (defensive Midfield) – The engine of the team, providing crucial protection to the back four and winning key battles.
* Rose Lavelle (Central Midfield) – Known for her creativity, dribbling skills, and ability to unlock defenses.
* Lindsey Horan (Central Midfield) – A box-to-box midfielder with a knack for scoring vital goals.
* Attack:
* Trinity Rodman (Left wing) – Explosive pace and direct running make her a constant threat.
* Alex Morgan (Striker) – A proven goalscorer and focal point of the USWNT attack.
* Sophia Smith (Right Wing) – Dynamic and clinical finisher, capable of creating chances out of nothing.
Portugal’s projected lineup is expected to feature:
* Goalkeeper: Inês Pereira
* Defense: Diana Gomes, Catarina Amado, Sílvia Rebelo, Joana Marchão
* Midfield: Daniela Cruz, Kika Nazareth, Andreia Jacinto
* Attack: Francisca Nazareth, Telma encarnação, Jéssica silva
Key Battles to Watch
This match features several intriguing individual matchups that could significantly influence the outcome.
* Alex Morgan vs. Catarina Amado: Morgan’s experience and movement against amado’s physicality will be a crucial test. Expect a battle for positioning and aerial dominance.
* Rose Lavelle vs. Daniela Cruz: The creativity of Lavelle will be challenged by Cruz’s defensive work rate and ability to disrupt play. This midfield duel will dictate tempo.
* Trinity Rodman vs. Joana Marchão: Rodman’s pace and dribbling ability will test Marchão’s defensive capabilities. Expect a dynamic battle down the left flank.
Tactical Insights & formations
The USWNT typically lines up in a 4-3-3 formation, prioritizing attacking football and pressing high up the pitch. Their strength lies in their dynamic attacking trio and the midfield control provided by ertz, Lavelle, and Horan. A key aspect of their game is quick transitions from defense to attack, exploiting spaces in the opponent’s defense.
Portugal, under their coach, often adopts a more pragmatic 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation, focusing on defensive institution and counter-attacking opportunities.They are known for their physicality and willingness to compete in midfield.Their success hinges on limiting the USWNT’s space and capitalizing on any defensive errors.
Recent Form:
* USWNT: The USWNT has shown inconsistent form in recent friendlies, highlighting areas for betterment in their attacking fluidity and defensive solidity. They are currently ranked #1 in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.
* Portugal: Portugal has been steadily improving, achieving notable results against European opposition. They are currently ranked #21 in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.
Set Piece strategies
Both teams possess dangerous set-piece takers. The USWNT relies on the delivery of Huerta and Lavelle, with Morgan and Cook posing aerial threats. portugal’s set-piece routines frequently enough involve clever movement and targeted deliveries into the box. Defending set pieces effectively will be crucial for both sides.
injury & Suspension Updates (as of October 26, 2025)
* USWNT: Mallory Swanson remains sidelined with a knee injury. Crystal Dunn is questionable with a minor hamstring strain.
* portugal: No major injury concerns reported.
Historical Context: USWNT vs. Portugal
The USWNT has historically dominated encounters against Portugal. In their previous five meetings, the USWNT has won all five, scoring a combined total of 20 goals while conceding only 2. however,Portugal has shown significant improvement in recent years,narrowing the gap in quality. The most recent match, played in 2023, ended in a 3-0 victory for the USWNT. This history suggests the USWNT are favorites, but Portugal will be steadfast to put up a strong fight.
Benefits of Analyzing pre-match Data
Understanding these pre-match dynamics offers several benefits:
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