a final game for O'Hara and the rise of new stars

This Sunday, October 27th, the United States Women's National Team will play Iceland again for the second time in four days. After a 3-1 win in Austin, the rematch now takes place at GEODIS Park in Nashville, where another exciting chapter awaits for Emma Hayes' team, who are still unbeaten in eleven games. Beyond this outcome, however, there is still much riding on this showdown, from the birth of new stars to the farewell of icons.

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As expected, the opening game against Iceland was full of celebration and, above all, pure talent. First up was Alyssa Thompson – the 19-year-old striker who made her mark with her first goal for the United States. It wasn't a goal either: a skillfully placed shot at the far post that sent the Austin crowd into an uproar in the 39th minute. In a lineup full of Olympic stars, it was the young player who stole the show – a sure sign that the USWNT's reformation is well underway.

Iceland tried to tie the game and the equalizer in the second half showed that these opponents can also surprise. But the American answer came in the final minutes through the experience and talent of two substitutes: Jaedyn Shaw and Sophia Smith. Shaw scored in the 85th minute with the cool of an experienced player while she is another promising 19-year-old and a member of the 2024 Olympic team. Sealing the victory in the 88th minute was none other than Sophia Smith, part of the Paris Games' fearsome 'Triple Espresso' frontline. She proved at least one reason why she is one of the team's offensive players.

The arrival of Emma Hayes as head coach of the United States Women's National Team has brought new energy to the squad. Without defeat in 11 games, the England coach has proven himself to be a real strategist, subtly using the experience of veterans with the fresh energy of younger players. The win over Austin reflected this philosophy, as although ten of the eleven starters were from the Olympic squad, the new generation on the field made the difference.

This would indeed be a further test of this transition process. Sunday's game in Nashville will be the fourth away game, with Hayes having made roster adjustments such as signing a new goalkeeper, junior Mandy Haught, following a training injury to Jane Campbell. With a mix of experience and fresh faces, the coach hopes to bring dynamism and aggression on the pitch – something fans and critics have already noticed.

But beyond the anticipation of the team's performance on the field, the game in Nashville will also be notable because it will be Kelley O'Hara's final bow – a farewell to arguably the most iconic figure in recent U.S. women's history- National team. The defender, who announced her retirement in May, will be honored with a halftime ceremony that officially concludes a career that took her to four World Cups and three Olympic Games.

O'Hara is the stuff of legends and is synonymous with the champion. Their goal against Germany in the semifinals of the 2015 World Cup still resonates with fans – a defining moment in the USA's global journey. Now she passes the torch, but her presence will remain a hallmark that will forever be part of the team's history.

The roster renewal is a clear sign of this USWNT phase. For the squad – with 17 Olympic players at the helm and some promising talents making their first senior appearances, such as defender Eva Gaetino and striker Emma Sears – it's a difficult balancing act between old laurels and building a promising one Future. The absence of the U-20 players, who finished third in the just-concluded FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, shows that this is a gradual integration of these young talents.

For example, Maddie Padelski took advantage of her starting opportunity on the last day of the match and offered options on the right side of the attack. Daya King also returned to defense, securing a position that has been much more consistent throughout games since Hayes took the reins. All of this thoughtful intergenerational transition could be just what's needed to keep the U.S. competitive on the world stage.

Sunday's game against Iceland is a great opportunity for the USA to further refine its style of play and for new players to make their mark. It also has a certain symbolism: this unbeaten streak under Emma Hayes simply gives the team great confidence and boosts morale for the tasks ahead.

Iceland, on the other hand, showed that they are not to be trifled with, especially in the second half in Austin. And although they lacked the attacking power, they were still a team capable of punishing any mistake and becoming a nuisance once the defenses remained strong.