After the defeat to Sweden in the knockouts of the 2023 Women's World Cup, we look at what the next generation of the USWNT might look like.
As goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher emphasized postgame, the United States was ousted from the World Cup by just millimeters. The third consecutive World Cup for the USWNT was not meant to be and the tournament exit means the departures of numerous players that have been vital pieces to the success of this program for years.
As they say, "All good things much come to an end." It presents plenty of mixed emotions as the younger players have now officially been passed the baton following this Sweden defeat. From the backline to the frontline, the USWNT is going to have to rely on the up incoming youth embedded in the program and around the National Women's Soccer League.
It is a tough pill to swallow, especially considering how well this team played defensively for the entire tournament. Though the 2023 World Cup run may be completed, there are plenty of young stars playing all around the world that are ready to fill the massive shoes that are being left behind.
Here are five replacements for USWNT players that have played their final game in red, white, and blue.
5 USWNT players that have played their last game and their replacements:
5. Megan Rapinoe
USWNT Replacement: Sophia Smith
Even before the World Cup, the world knew this was the last ride for Megan Rapinoe. The winger and world-class distributor leaves the game known for being a change-maker both on and off the pitch. The USWNT is a culture that uses its talent on the pitch to make an influence on the subjects that matter outside of sports. The United States' No. 15 led that charge, leaving the team much better off than when she joined all the way back in 2006.
Though her national team career has come to an end, Rapinoe still has unfinished business to take care of with her club team, OL Reign. During the end of her international career, the role of the Reign winger changed. The University of Portland alum accepted it, coming off the bench with the mindset of passing her knowledge on to the next great.
During this World Cup, the world already saw the players that are going to slot into Rapinoe's position. The face of this team in the front line was Rapinoe. Now it is Smith. While the two are different, there are also ways in which these American stars are similar. Both contribute predominantly on the left flank, at times acting as a secondary striker if needed. While Smith is more of a goal-scorer that is defined by her speed going forward, she creates a whole lot of chances for her team, sitting in second right now in assists in the NWSL with five.
4. Alex Morgan
USWNT Replacement: Mia Fishel
211 caps in the books for her national team and forward Alex Morgan is tied with Mia Hamm when it comes to goals per 90 on the international level. That is special, and no matter how people think she played this summer, her legacy remains the same — proficiency in the final third.
Following the defeat to Sweden in the knockout round of the 2023 World Cup, Morgan made it clear she does not want to comment on her future going forward at the international level, saying that while she does not plan on hanging up her boots anytime soon, she is taking things day by day. The longevity and consistency as a forward on the best team in the world is what No. 13 will always be remembered for when that time does come.
She may have another Olympics in her, but the reality is another World Cup is probably out of her reach. If you are going to replace Morgan, a consistent number of goals in addition to leading the line has to be the focus. There is going to have to be some shift in formation due to the amount of attacking talent coming into this team. With all these creators on the flanks and in the midfield like Sophia Smith, Catarina Macario, and Mallory Swanson, a born No. 9 playing down the middle would make for something special. Good thing the U.S. youth ranks has someone like that.
Mia Fishel, one of the newest additions to Emma Hayes' Chelsea Women was drafted No. 5 overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft. She instead opted to join Tigres UANL in Liga MX Femenil. All she did was score 38 goals in 48 league games with the Mexican outfit before earning a massive transfer to her dream club in England.
Morgan still seen as quality as she is has kept Fishel out of selection. Now, with her in the spotlight in West London, the USWNT coaching staff cannot ignore the 22-year-old. The way she adjusts her body, holds the ball up, and finishes with such composure make up the potential next great U.S. No. 9.
3. Julie Ertz
USWNT Replacement: Sam Coffey
Julie Ertz embodies the word toughness. For her to make it on the team, and perform the way she did during this tournament is a testament to her work ethic and belief. In August of 2022, Ertz gave birth to her first child. Months later, the United States No. 8 suited up and performed sensationally against the best of the best around the world.
The center-back/defensive midfielder confirmed to ESPN following the interview with FOX Sports postgame that she plans to retire from the USWNT after 122 appearances for the Stars and Stripes. She said she wants her legacy to be the "grit" she brought to the table day in and day out. Not only will she go down in U.S. soccer history for her tenacity, but as one of the greatest defensive-minded players to have played for this legendary team. In order to replace relentlessness, you have to find someone that has demonstrated that same sort of trait. The NWSL has just the right kind of player.
Sam Coffey, the Portland Thorns' defensive midfielder is the perfect replacement for a player like Ertz. Many believed that Coffey should have been given more of a shot to make this World Cup roster, but now with Ertz out of the picture, she'll get the chance. The 24-year-old from New York was named to the NWSL's Best XI in her first season in the league. Coffey earned her first cap with the U.S. senior team in September 2022 in a 2-1 win over Nigeria.
The Thorns' midfielder is an incredibly intelligent distributor of the ball who was once an attacking midfielder at Penn State. That willingness to learn, and adapt that quickly in her rookie year is something that is going to serve her well going forward. She even wore the captain's armband back in June for Portland, already displaying that kind of leadership at the professional level.
Note: Jaelin Howell of Racing Louisville is also someone that has to be considered in this discussion
2. Kelley O'Hara
USWNT Replacement: Emily Fox
One thing stood out on the field following the final whistle of the Portugal match during this World Cup — Kelley O'Hara making an empowering speech to her teammates in a huddle. That was who she was. O'Hara, along with, Rapinoe was a leader that never wore the armband for the red, white, and blue. The defender's work ethic never wavered. Her honesty in addition to her leadership style made her the remarkable player she was on the international stage on and off the pitch.
Like a few other veterans, O'Hara jas not confirmed the Sweden match was in fact her final game for the USWNT, but after playing in her fourth World Cup, it is quite likely. Like all these players, a perfect replacement is impossible. Though, in the wing-back position for the USWNT, it is quite evident who the future is. Emily Fox, the North Carolina Courage defender was one of the many positives for this USWNT at just 25 years of age.
Whether it is the left or the right side of the defense, Fox is someone that is going to be wearing that crest on her chest for years to come. What she did at the 2023 World Cup is just scraping the surface of her potential. The Courage defender has the capability to progress the ball with her dribbling or passing, and that was on full display through four matches down under. Whenever you lose someone like O'Hara, it is going to be difficult. But Fox is that gritty versatile wing-back that is bound to be a cornerstone of this team going forward.
1. Becky Sauerbrunn
USWNT Replacement: Naomi Girma
Christian Pulisic may be the "Captain America" of the USMNT, but Becky Sauerbrunn is that for the USWNT. The Portland Thorns' center-back is the epitome of how a leader should act both on and off the pitch. Sauerbrunn captained the USWNT for two different stints during her career (2016-2018, 2021-present). From the minute that Carli Lloyd retired, Sauerbrunn made it her mission to create new leaders within this team. Not only did she do that, but she molded the next great center back that will fill her shoes, potentially as the next captain for the foreseeable future, Naomi Girma.
There is no question now that everyone in the United States has had some time to digest this loss of who the player of the tournament for the USWNT was. The 23-year-old Girma walked into her first-ever major tournament as if she had been doing it all her life. She was one of just four players to have contributed in every minute for the U.S. this summer. Only wing-back Crystal Dunn had more final third entries than the Stanford product. She was the only player to complete over 200 passes through four contests. Girma is an absolute rockstar.
As captain Lindsey Horan said emotionally postgame, "(Naomi) made plays like she's 30."
The new No. 4 on this team is ready to take the reins of the backline. Sauerbrunn led the way. Now, it is Girma's turn. The fact that the biggest bright spot in this World Cup was a 23-year-old tells you everything you need to know about the current San Diego Wave defender.
