USWNT's Spotless SheBelieves Sweep: Thompson Sisters Steal the Show as Hayes Eyes World Cup Core

Picture this: the USWNT strolling through the SheBelieves Cup like it's a casual kickabout, notching three wins, zero goals conceded. They saw off Argentina 2-0, edged Canada 1-0, and nicked a late thriller against Colombia 1-0. All this without their maternity-leave mums-to-be like Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson, plus the injured crew including Cat Macario and Tierna Davidson. Emma Hayes wasn't messing about – she rolled out her strongest possible squad and it paid dividends.

No more lab-rat experiments; this is the real build-up to the 2027 Women's World Cup. Next up? A triple-header of friendlies against Japan in April. That'll really put the screws to Hayes' picks. But let's crack open the highlights from the tournament – who grabbed the headlines and who's left scratching their heads?

Standout Stars Lighting Up the Pitch

Top of the pops was Alyssa Thompson, the Chelsea speed demon who's turned heads in the WSL. This 21-year-old smashed a belter off the bar from the edge of the box to seal the Colombia win – pure striker's instinct. Even in a bumpy season for the Blues, she's bagged six goals in 14 league games. Ditching LA for London last summer? Best move ever. She's evolved from raw pace merchant to counter-pressing machine, covering ground like a hoover. Hayes must be chuffed; Thompson started the last two games and looks starter material in that cut-throat forward line.

Then there's her sis, Gisele Thompson, owning the right-back slot like she owns the family bragging rights. The 20-year-old Angel City ace played a full 90 minutes in the openers against Argentina and Canada, bossing it with attacking surges and a perfect 8/8 in duels versus the Canucks. Emily Fox is the RB incumbent, but with Hayes flipping her left occasionally, Gisele's thrown her hat in the ring big time. Lilly Reale, Avery Patterson – the scrap's on, and Gisele's punching above her weight.

Don't sleep on Ally Sentnor either. The Gotham FC hybrid forward, fresh from U23 duties, started up top against Canada and Colombia. She half-volleyed the winner from a Rose Lavelle corner – feet like quicksilver. Sure, she was quiet shot-wise versus Colombia amid some midfield malaise, but Hayes will love that box nous. Centre-forward spot's a revolving door; Sentnor's knocked politely.

Lingering Questions and Squad Dilemmas

Captain Lindsey Heaps lifted the trophy, but is she Hayes' midfield darling? She scored and assisted in the Argentina romp, but barely saw pitch time after – 40 minutes combined as a sub. Against tougher nuts like Canada (Claire Hutton, Sam Coffey, Lavelle trio) and Colombia (swap Hutton for Lily Yohannes), she was surplus. He's a set-piece beast with physicality, but press-resistance and vision? The young guns have the edge. Against minnows, though, she'll get her shout – that Argentina rocket proves it.

And what of Emily Sams? Baffling stuff. She bossed January camp, skippered against Chile, played a full 90. Now? Ghosted from the squad. Hayes' ruthlessness or deeper issues? The centre-back pool's crowded, but this feels like a curveball.

Road to 2027: Japan Looms Large

Hayes has a core emerging – Thompsons, Sentnor, that midfield whirlpool. But fullback battles rage, and forward depth's a bloodbath. Three Japan friendlies will sort the wheat from the chaff. Clean sheets galore show defensive steel, but can they click upfront consistently?

The Yanks are humming, but World Cup glory demands more. Hayes is cooking something special – grab your popcorn, footy fans. (Word count: 612)